Calculations

"Young Madam."

Xiliu came over to pay her respects.

Lin Yunwan asked her directly, "Did Concubine Ge look for you after she returned to the manor?"

Xiliu hesitated for a moment, then knelt down and said, "Young Madam! I am loyal to both Concubine and you. Concubine Ge did come to me, but I ignored her completely..."

You should pay attention to her.

Lin Yunwan said.

Xiliu was taken aback. Lin Yunwan said, "I'm not afraid of her contacting you, I'm afraid she won't contact you."

Xiliu was clever and quickly asked, "What does Young Madam want me to do for you?"

Lin Yunwan said, "Pass on a message to her for me. You know how to do it."

Xiliu pricked up her ears, and after hearing those words, she knew exactly what to do.

As she left, she vowed, "Young Madam, I promise I won't let Concubine suspect anything."

Lin Yunwan nodded. Ge Bao'er had used this trick on Xiliu, so Xiliu would probably learn it very well.

Not long after, Ge Bao'er found Xiliu again and learned something from her.

Xiliu said, "... Concubine Ge, Concubine Zhu Qing said that you got better after you stopped taking your medicine after you came back from the estate. Concubine Zhu Qing is so scared that she doesn't even dare to take any medicine to prevent miscarriage now."

Ge Bao'er hadn't thought about it that way before, but when she heard Xiliu mention the medicine, her heart skipped a beat.

Xiliu said, "... Concubine Ge, I don't know anything else. I don't want this money from you. Please don't ask me anything in the future. I'm serving Concubine Zhu Qing now, so it's not appropriate for me to tell you everything. Please understand my difficulties."

Ge Bao'er insisted on giving her the money, saying, "I'm sorry you suffered while you were with me. If you ever want to come back, I'll still treat you well!"

Unable to refuse, Xiliu accepted the money.

She was an honest person, and in the end, she handed the silver over to Zhu Qing.

Zhu Qing said nonchalantly, "If she gave it to you, just keep it for yourself." She would never mistreat a maid who served her so well.

Xiliu and Tong Liu were split up together.

Ge Bao'er returned to Hall of Longevity and searched for the leftover dregs of medicine. After smelling them for a long time, she asked herself with a cold smile, "Is it really poisonous?"

Did Old Madam Lu really want to poison her?

Or is it that even Lu Zhengliu wants to kill her?

She can't go out, and Nanny Yan wouldn't let her find someone to help her check for the medicine residue... but there's always a way, isn't there?

"Mother."

"Qing'er, you've come."

Ge Bao'er was still holding the dregs of medicine in her hand. Qing'er smelled the medicine and said, "Mother, are you taking medicine again?"

"No."

Ge Bao'er grabbed the dregs of the medicine, pulled Qing to sit beside her, and asked, "Do you know who was the one who took care of me and prepared the medicine when Mother was sick?"

Qing said loudly, "Nanny Yan! Nanny Yan listens to the Old Madam the most. The Old Madam wants Mother to get better, so of course Nanny Yan will take it to heart."

"Yes, that's why we should repay kindness."

Ge Bao'er smiled and said, "Could you take a bowl of soup to Nanny Yan for me?"

Qing was very puzzled. "... Mother, should I deliver it?"

Ge Bao'er touched his face and said, "She won't drink it if I give it to her. She'll only drink it if you give it to her."

Qing pursed his lips and said, "Alright, Mother, I'll take the soup over there."

Ge Bao'er smiled and reminded him, "Some soups are okay for adults, but not for children. Don't sneak a taste."

"I know! How could I secretly drink Nanny Yan's soup!"

Ge Bao'er went to the Kitchen and cooked the soup, then asked Qing to deliver it to Nanny Yan.

After all, Qing was the Second Young Master of the manor. Nanny Yan took the soup and asked with a smile, "Why give this old servant the soup that the Kitchen made for you? Wouldn't it be better for you to keep it to nourish your body, Second Young Master?"

Qing's obedient manner was very endearing. "Nanny Yan, you've worked so hard taking care of Great-Grandma. In my heart, you are an elder just like Great-Grandma. I also want to be filial to you."

Nanny Yan laughed heartily and said modestly, "Second Young Master, you're too kind. I'm just a servant girl; how can I compare to the Old Madam!"

She was happy. The Second Young Master respected her so much, and it would be a good thing if her child had more contact with Second Young Master in the future.

"Please drink it! Then you can leave."

"Okay, okay."

Nanny Yan took a sip in front of Qing, and sure enough, Qing glanced at it and left.

Nanny Yan followed him down the corridor to see him off, a smile on her face as she said, "This child..." He's becoming more and more sensible.

She went back to the side room to continue drinking her soup, but after a few sips, she realized that the taste and smell were a bit off.

Why does it smell like medicine?

She held the medicine and examined its contents carefully. Even a tonic soup wouldn't have this medicinal smell, and it seemed so familiar...

When Nanny Yan saw the dregs of medicine at the bottom of the bowl, she was terrified!

"Ah!"

She accidentally broke the bowl, then stood there stunned, completely bewildered.

"What's going on... what's going on..."

How could it smell like the poison she brought back from the nunnery!

Nanny Yan walked quickly to the corridor and glanced into the Side Room. Ge Bao'er's doors and windows were tightly closed, and she looked like she was doing needlework by the window.

Could she have smelled it wrong?

Unfortunately, the soup had all spilled, and the flavor was very weak; I couldn't even smell it anymore.

"Mother, the Old Madam sent me to ask what's wrong with you?"

The maidservant who served Old Madam Lu came over to speak.

Before Nanny Yan could react, she said, "... It's okay, I'm fine!"

She instructed the maid, "Hurry up and get things ready!"

"Yes."

Nanny Yan left in a cold sweat.

Ge Bao'er opened the window and watched her departing figure expressionlessly.

"They really poisoned me?"

They want her dead! They don't want to leave her any chance of survival!

Ge Bao'er closed the window and sat on the bed for half an hour, going from fear and sadness to confusion.

"Human life... what does it all mean... what do I mean...?"

She knew she could be very selfish at times, but everyone has their own interests, and she never thought of killing anyone!

This Wuding Marquis Residence, however, doesn't care about human life at all.

"Should I do the same...?"

After all, everyone looks out for themselves.

In Ge Bao'er's mind, the face of Lin Yunwan and Old Madam Lu appeared.

"Young Madam, Nanny Yan broke a soup bowl at the Hall of Longevity. She said it was soup that Young Master Qing had sent over."

Lin Yunwan soon heard about what had happened there.

There was no need to inquire further; Qing, Ge Bao'er, and Tang Wan, Ge Bao'er, already knew the truth.

Ping Ye hadn't quite understood yet, so she asked, "Young Madam, why did Nanny Yan smash the bowl?"

Lin Yunwan offered her guess. "Ge Bao'er is trying to prove something, isn't she?"

Ping Ye was still completely confused.

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "... Indeed, she shouldn't be underestimated. She truly knows how to turn adversity into opportunity. Even if she can't leave the Inner Residence quarters, she always manages to do what she wants."

"With her such ability and courage, I'm at ease."

What are you worried about?

Ping Ye still didn't understand anything.

Lin Yunwan remained silent, already making plans for her future in her mind.