Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 221 - 220: Potent Medicinal Poison

"How could the Princess be so kind?" Zhu Yu was somewhat surprised.

The Miao Family didn’t blame her for the subtle disrespect in her words towards Pang Yuzhen. After all, she was well aware of how Pang Yuzhen treated Zhu Yu in the past. As a mother, she felt nothing but resentment for her own helplessness, unable to protect her child, and how could she now force her to be respectful towards Pang Yuzhen.

"Back when I had just given birth to you, there was a period when your father frequently visited my courtyard, claiming it was to see you, but in fact, he also wanted to see me.

Before becoming the Princess, I had followed her for many years. Even then, I vaguely felt that continuing like this might lead to trouble, but I dared not push the Prince away, fearing that if I angered him, we both would suffer.

One day, the Princess sent someone to deliver me a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. I felt the taste was off when I drank it, but the people around her watched me finish it so they could take the bowl back, and I couldn’t say anything, hurriedly drinking it down.

Soon after they left, my stomach started to feel as if knives were cutting through it. I endured for half a day, and then the bleeding started profusely. I cried out to heaven and earth for help, thinking that my life was coming to an end.

Fortunately, a young maid from the courtyard secretly told the steward, who helped me find a doctor. After examining me, the doctor could only prescribe some medicine to stop the bleeding.

He asked if I had mistakenly taken any tonic, given how potent the effect was, clearly something a newly postpartum woman should never consume..."

She paused, sighed softly: "Since then, I could no longer have any more children.

Afterwards, in my heart, I felt a sense of relief. Thankfully, the Princess’s jealousy was towards me, and she tricked me into drinking the potion, merely preventing the possibility of me having more children.

If her jealousy had been towards you... at just a month old, wouldn’t you have lost your life as well!

After that, I steeled my heart, appearing timid and foolish like an elm knot in front of the Prince, and over time, he found me dull and uninteresting, cowardly even, leading to his growing indifference towards me.

I don’t know whether the Princess found my behavior sensible or realized the effect of the medicine was too harsh, but she redeemed my indenture document as compensation.

So, I have long been a free person."

Previously, Zhu Yu was unaware of this past and now felt particularly shocked after hearing it. She knew Pang Yuzhen had always employed private means to solidify her status in the Prince Mansion, but she never imagined she would use such a malicious method on her own mother.

Thinking of how the Miao Family had once been coerced into consigning herself reluctantly to Zhu Cheng, giving birth to a daughter, yet daring not to seek any affection or care from her husband. Despite this, she still had to be poisoned to lose her ability to bear children, spent half her life estranged from her daughter, and was ultimately sent to marry her daughter off to Jin Country, almost never to see her again. Zhu Yu felt a deep, unspeakable sadness.

"Mother, since you are already free, that makes things easier." Not wanting to waste any energy on futile sorrow, she quickly composed herself and advised the Miao Family, "Henceforth, don’t go to serve the Princess often. Although I was married to Jin Country in Zhu Ning’s stead, now that I am well-married, Princess Shuo may not be pleased.

Being around her will seem like intentionally provoking her, which is inappropriate.

Moreover, since your indenture was redeemed long ago, you must maintain a distance from the Pang Family. Do not become entangled with them, even if they bring up the past master-servant relationship, ignore it.

Pang Yuzhen sent you to father as a concubine, causing you to lose the ability to bear children. No matter what past sentiments of master and servant existed, they are erased. Please, no matter what, do not soft-heartedly regard her, and in any situation, prioritize your own safety first."

Listening to Zhu Yu’s words, the Miao Family had some doubts but felt that although her daughter shared a somewhat timid and cautious nature with her from a young age, she gradually became different as she grew older. Though still quiet and unassuming, she clearly became more decisive.

She always felt her daughter was far more thoughtful, possessing a kind of concealed intelligence. Therefore, no matter her reasons, she should heed her daughter’s advice without probing too much.

"Alright, mother understands, mother will surely listen to you!" The Miao Family readily agreed, "After you leave, I will spend each day in my own courtyard, doing what I enjoy. If anyone dares to provoke me, I’ll go to the Prince and accuse them of disrespecting the mother-in-law of Princess Xiaoyao!"

Zhu Yu was amused by the Miao Family, knowing all too well that with her nature, she could never actually exploit her position to bully others. She only said so to reassure her, but the promise indeed gave her peace of mind.

"By the way, mother, there’s something else I’d like to ask you." After laughing, she regained her composure and asked the Miao Family, "From what you know, has Zhu Jie been maintaining a close relationship with the Pang Family?"

Hearing this question, the Miao Family knew there must be some involvement and looked towards the door before nodding, moving closer to Zhu Yu to whisper about the things she had seen and heard in the mansion.

That night, the two, mother and daughter, talked for a long time until it was deep into the night. Though the Miao Family was reluctant, her heavy eyelids eventually won, and only then did Zhu Yu help her to bed, extinguish the oil lamp, close the door, and return to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing was still awake, sitting at the table with a book in hand, reading intently. Upon hearing the door open, he looked over and smiled as Zhu Yu entered, asking, "Has your mother gone to rest?"

"Yes, my mother is already asleep." Zhu Yu yawned, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

"With you not here, the room felt quiet and cold, making it hard for me to sleep alone," Lu Qing said with a look of feigned grievance, though his eyes gleamed with mischief.

"If the Prince feels cold, perhaps sparring in the courtyard with some boxing and swordplay will warm you up. Who knows, it might inspire my father with brilliant ideas for forging weapons if he hears the noise!" Zhu Yu teased back, "My mother shared some things this evening concerning the Pang Family and my brother.

But it’s too late today. Given what I know about them, Zhu Jie and Zhu Feng will definitely help supervise the canal construction tomorrow. We should go along too; it’ll be a good opportunity for you to interact with my two elder brothers.

My father isn’t exactly young anymore, and it would indeed be beneficial for you to familiarize yourself with potential successors."