What’s that smell!
Qin Yun smelled a strange, exotic fragrance on herself!
She sniffed carefully, then opened the entire wardrobe, sniffing all the clothes, and even the bedding.
Qin Yun’s expression grew increasingly serious.
Those who didn’t understand poison might not notice anything amiss. This fragrance, while seemingly ordinary, contained a trace of Zhu Xue Cao.
This poison originated from the Western Regions. How many people in the capital understood it?
If not for a chance trip to the Western Regions in her previous life, and the fact that her father had brought back a book on Western Regions customs, she might not have recognized this poison.
Normally, these clothes were managed by Xiao Ju and Nanny Tian by her side. Could it be that they had betrayed her?
Impossible. If they were going to betray her, they would have done so long ago. Her very identity as a woman, if exposed, could have led to the original owner's death a hundred times over. They wouldn’t have spent ten years on such futile actions!
“Xiao Ju, go find Nanny Tian!”
“Yes, Young Master.”
In a moment, Xiao Ju led Nanny Tian into the room!
Qin Yun ordered Xiao Ju to close the door upon entering.
After the door was shut, Xiao Ju and Nanny Tian exchanged a glance. They both felt that Qin Yun seemed different today, though they couldn’t quite pinpoint how. In any case, this was a rare moment of seriousness from Qin Yun.
“Young Master, you asked to see this old servant. Is there something urgent?”
Qin Yun looked up, her gaze serious as she looked at Nanny Tian, then glanced at Xiao Ju.
“Normally, are your and Xiao Ju’s responsibilities to handle all my food, clothing, and daily living?”
“Yes, Young Master,” Nanny Tian replied.
Qin Yun continued, “And you haven’t delegated any of this to others in the interim?”
“Well! Not entirely. Most of it is handled by this old servant and Xiao Ju!”
Qin Yun smiled. “You two need not be nervous. I just wanted to ask about some trivial matters!”
“Let’s start with the clothes on my person. Who was responsible for washing and tidying them?”
Nanny Tian replied earnestly, “This old servant was responsible, Young Master. Is there something wrong with these clothes?”
“Nanny, please smell this. Did you also put this fragrance in? It’s quite pleasant!” Qin Yun smiled subtly.
Seeing that Qin Yun wasn’t blaming her, Nanny Tian said, “As long as Young Master likes it!”
“Our little courtyard hasn’t received its silver allowance in half a year. How did you get the money to buy fragrance powder for my laundry, Nanny? It’s truly rare?”
Nanny Tian shook her head. “Young Master, this old servant has neither the money nor the inclination for such things. It was Nanny Xu who told me that the Second Concubine, Third Concubine, and the Third Young Lady all liked this fragrance, so she asked me to try it on Young Master as well!”
“Nanny Xu? Isn’t she someone close to the Third Concubine?”
Was this Third Concubine, Madam Zhang, so foolish? Why would she send someone close to her to approach Nanny Tian so openly?
If this matter were discovered, wouldn’t Madam Zhang be in deep trouble?
It seemed this matter was not as simple as it appeared. Although Madam Zhang was somewhat flirtatious and often acted coyly, she didn’t seem unintelligent. In Qin Yun’s impression, Madam Zhang was solely focused on Qin Yuanzhang. As long as Qin Yuanzhang was in the manor, she would dress herself up appealingly to seduce him, hoping to stay overnight in her courtyard, thereby securing a pregnancy and solidifying her position.
Yet, after all these years, despite Qin Yuanzhang visiting Madam Zhang’s courtyard numerous times, Madam Zhang’s womb remained barren.
Could Nanny Xu also be involved in this?
Why would Nanny Xu do this? For whom was she working?
Having been lurking around the Third Concubine for so many years, had she never revealed any impropriety?
It seemed this Qin Manor was becoming increasingly interesting!
“Has Nanny Xu always provided you with this fragrance?”
“Yes. This old servant saw many ladies and young ladies using fragrances, so I thought Young Master should have one too, and thus have been using it. Although our little courtyard is a bit simple, this old servant doesn’t want to mistreat Young Master!”
Qin Yun nodded in agreement.
Nanny Tian was honest, but such honesty could easily be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
As long as it was for the original owner’s good, Nanny Tian would wholeheartedly do it.
Despite her honesty, what needed to be said still had to be said!
A few seconds later, Qin Yun’s face turned stern. “From now on, I want you both to listen carefully to every word I say. And today’s conversation is known only to the three of us. I don’t want a fourth person involved. Do you understand?”
Seeing Qin Yun’s renewed seriousness, Xiao Ju and Nanny Tian also realized the gravity of the situation.
They immediately knelt on the ground, displaying sincere attitudes.
“This old servant obeys the Young Master’s every command. When the Madam left, she entrusted this old servant to follow the Young Master for life. This old servant will never have any disloyal thoughts!”
“This servant grew up with the Young Master. In this life, I will obey the Young Master’s every command and never have any disloyal thoughts!”
The two knelt to show their loyalty. Qin Yun trusted them wholeheartedly. Seeing the loyalty of the people around the original owner, she felt a sense of relief.
“To avoid suspicion, Nanny Tian, you will continue to accept this fragrance as usual, but we must stop using it!”
Nanny Tian asked softly, “Does the Young Master dislike this fragrance? Or is there something wrong with it?”
“There is indeed something wrong. This fragrance contains a component called Zhu Xue Cao. When this herb is dried and ground into powder, its scent is pleasant, but if one inhales too much, it will cause the body to fester, slowly eroding the internal organs, leading to internal bleeding and death!”
Upon hearing this, Nanny Xu collapsed onto the ground. “This old servant did not know this. This old servant deserves to die! I almost harmed Young Master! I have failed the Madam’s trust!”
“Nanny, you need not blame yourself. Fortunately, we discovered it in time. This matter can still be remedied!”
Nanny Tian looked at Qin Yun’s face and frowned. “Could it be that Young Master’s face is precisely the result of this Zhu Xue Cao?”
Qin Yun did not speak, but merely nodded.
Although Zhu Xue Cao was poisonous, it required an auxiliary medicinal ingredient to unleash its full toxic potential!
Qin Yun did not reveal everything, keeping some thoughts to herself.
“From now on, whether it is clothing or meals, you must be more vigilant. If there are any irregularities, report them to me immediately!”
“Then from now on, for Young Master’s meals, this servant will definitely be more careful and will not let anyone else interfere!”
Qin Yun waved her hand. “No! If you investigate too thoroughly, how will you give the person with ulterior motives an opportunity? We need to let the other party have a chance to act so that we have an opportunity to uncover the person behind all this!”
“Isn’t the person behind all this the Third Concubine? Nanny Xu is someone close to the Third Concubine! What else is there to question? As long as we find evidence, we can have Father punish the Third Concubine!” Nanny Tian thought this Zhang family was hateful, so cruel.
Qin Yun understood clearly that all of this was merely a smokescreen created by the mastermind, using Madam Zhang as a shield.
Since the enemy wanted to play, she would play along.
This game had just begun, and the victor was yet to be determined!
Qin Yun did not directly deny Nanny Tian’s assumption. Currently, the only target was Nanny Xu. As for Madam Zhang, her suspicion had not been ruled out.
“You may rise. I have never blamed either of you. It must have been difficult for you to follow such a pathetic master as me all these years!”
“No! Young Master is not pathetic at all. It is we who failed to protect Young Master!” Xiao Ju said, tears welling up. Seeing such a great change in Young Master made everything worthwhile.
Moreover, she realized that Young Master seemed much smarter than before!