The Double-Chapter 499 - 154: Searching for Medicine_2

Xiao Deyin had no idea what the medicine powder was, but she guessed it was a deadly poison. She didn’t know what Xue Fangfei had done to offend anyone, but their goal coincidentally aligned with hers.

That night, Xiao Deyin watched the paper package for a long time.

She had never killed anyone, her hands had never been stained with blood, how could the hands that caressed the zither harm someone?

But then she thought, as long as Xue Fangfei was dead, she could end this life of constant fear, not always having to worry about the day Xue Fangfei’s zither skills would be revealed, outshining her. Otherwise, people would say, look at that person, she refused to marry and gave up the chance to enter the palace, only wanting to be the first zither master, but she was still outdone by others. How ridiculous, daydreaming in broad daylight.

She did not want to be laughed at, she wanted to be the first zither master forever.

So, Xiao Deyin put something in Xue Fangfei’s drink. Everything was done exactly as the mysterious person had instructed her, but she did not expect that the medicine powder was not poison at all, but something more poisonous than poison. Even compared to Xue Fangfei’s subsequent fate, death would have been an easy escape.

Xue Fangfei was discovered to be having an illicit affair, her reputation completely ruined. Xiao Deyin, blending in with the crowd, watched as her former friend showed a bewildered look, despised and abhorred by others. Xiao Deyin thought she would feel guilty, but to her surprise, at that moment, all she felt was satisfaction.

She suddenly understood then, yes, she hated Xue Fangfei, she was jealous of Xue Fangfei, jealous of her having everything, as well as zither skills. Jealous that she had natural talents, becoming what she could never be.

She turned around and left.

From then on, Xiao Deyin never stepped foot in the Shen family’s house again. Others said that it was because Mr. Xiao was of high moral character and did not want to associate with the polluted, but only Xiao Deyin herself knew that she was just feeling guilty.

Xue Fangfei was extremely intelligent, and would soon figure out Xiao Deyin’s suspicious actions. She did not want to confront Xue Fangfei face to face, which would make her see clearly the petty and ugly person she truly was inside.

As time gradually passed, until one day news of Xue Fangfei’s death arrived—Xiao Deyin’s heart greatly relaxed. Now, no one would ever discover that she had been the one to drug Xue Fangfei. Her darkness and jealousy would disappear along with Xue Fangfei’s death from this world. She would still be the same gentle and upright first zither master, with no worries of becoming a laughingstock one day.

As for who had originally instructed her to administer the drug, Xiao Deyin didn’t care. Since the other party had already succeeded, they would not pursue the matter further. Only heaven and earth knew of the incident, and the deceased Xue Fangfei, no one else knew.

However, that day’s "Guanshan Yue" from the Shen family, today’s "Guanshan Yue," made her recall the facts she had deliberately forgotten. Reminding her of the things she had done in the past, that constant unease of losing everything reappeared. What was different from before was, now she was burdened with a life debt.

At that moment, she was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

...

At the start of the New Year, most people in Yanjing City were cheerful. There were few who were frowning, sullen, Xiao Deyin was one of them, and so was the mistress of the Princess’s Mansion.

Princess Yongning sat in the hall, with a maid playing the zither on one side. The sound of the zither was quite beautiful and melodious, but the more Princess Yongning listened, the more irritable she felt, and she could not help but show a bit of a sullen expression on her face. Mei Xiang saw this, signaled the maid to stop playing, and quickly leave. After the maid left, the hall returned to quiet.

Fresh fruits and pastries were placed on the table, but Princess Yongning was not interested. She had attended a banquet at the Shen family a few days ago, thinking of taking the opportunity to get closer to Shen Yurong. However, Shen Yurong not only didn’t show happiness, but there also seemed to be a hint of reproach.

She knew the rumors surrounding the Tongxiang case had not completely subsided, but to be paralyzed by this was not in Princess Yongning’s nature. The more cautious and careful Shen Yurong was, the more it infuriated her. If he truly loved her, why would he care about these things? He should be ready to overcome any obstacle to be with her. But looking at Shen Yurong now, it was clear he would only decide to take her as his wife when everything was risk-free.

This was not up to him. A trace of impatience flashed between Princess Yongning’s eyebrows. She wanted to tell Empress Dowager Liu, but Empress Dowager Liu was never very fond of Shen Yurong, probably disagreeing. She could only tell Prince Cheng, who had great admiration for Shen Yurong. If Prince Cheng supported her, the matter should be able to proceed.