Chapter 32: The Inherent Sinfulness of Human Nature

Tan Qingjiu laughed. "Of course not. However, madam, I’m afraid you must discipline the servants in the rear court more strictly. This time it was me, but if they offend other distinguished guests visiting the estate, the consequences might be far more difficult to manage."

"Yes, I understand. I’ll find time to properly deal with them," Madam Chen replied.

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze swept over the two remaining maids. "Has anyone else touched my medicinal herbs? You should know, many of my herbs are poisonous."

"The symptoms of these poisons differ—some manifest immediately, while others show no sign at all."

"If you don’t tell me and end up poisoned, there might not be a cure."

The two maids exchanged anxious glances, fear creeping into their hearts after witnessing what happened to Nanny Liu. They had indeed touched the herbs, but if they stepped forward now, would they be punished as harshly?

Tan Qingjiu smiled, her voice carrying a trace of persuasion. "Come forward yourselves. If you do so now, I won’t hold you accountable. I’ll even check your pulse to see if you’ve been poisoned. But if the poison takes effect later and you have to beg me for help, I may not be so forgiving."

Her words made their eyes light up. After a brief consideration, both stepped forward almost in unison. "We... we did touch them, but only under Nanny Liu’s orders. She’s in charge of this courtyard; we dared not refuse her."

"Rest assured," Tan Qingjiu said, glancing at the grimly silent Madam Chen. "I said I wouldn’t pursue it, and I won’t. Show me your hands."

The two hurriedly stretched out their hands. Tan Qingjiu placed her fingers on their wrists, checking their pulses with casual ease. "You’re quite lucky. Neither of you has been poisoned."

Withdrawing her hand, she turned to Madam Chen. "Madam, it seems the servants in this household are rather undisciplined. Most items in my rooms shouldn’t be touched lightly; some are poisonous, others extremely valuable—worth their weight in gold."

"I think it’s best if no other servants remain in my courtyard. If they carelessly touch something again, they might not be as fortunate. I have two medical women, two pharmacy boys, and two maids who tend to my daily needs. That is sufficient. What do you think?"

Tan Qingjiu smiled gently, as if struck by a thought. "Or is it that my father gave the orders, and you have no say in the matter? If so, I’ll speak with him myself."

Madam Chen gritted her teeth inwardly. What was there left for her to say? Tan Qingjiu had already spoken both the good and the bad.

---

Madam Chen took a deep breath, suppressing her tumultuous emotions, and forced a smile. "No need to trouble the master with this. I can still manage the affairs of the rear court."

"I only thought that, since you’ve returned, it would be proper to assign attendants so you wouldn’t be neglected. But as you’ve brought your own people, I’ll withdraw the others."

"I’ll trouble you, then."

Madam Chen’s smile was stiff. "You’ve still much to settle here, I won’t disturb you further. If you need anything, have your servants come find me at Mingyue Courtyard."

"Very well."

With the two maids in tow, Madam Chen left Cloud Pavilion. Once she stepped through the gate, her face darkened at once.

That little wretch Tan Qingjiu! She’d meant to use the opportunity of Tan Qingjiu’s return to put her in her place, but instead, she’d been soundly bested.

Fury boiled in her chest. And Nanny Liu—how useless! To be caught red-handed by that little minx. Those twenty slaps were well deserved.

Madam Chen fumed, taking deep breaths to quell her anger. Tan Qingjiu was certainly different from before—no longer meek and easy to bully. She’d acted rashly without first understanding Tan Qingjiu’s current temperament.

A setback is a lesson, she thought. She wouldn’t make the same mistake next time.

"Let’s go back to Mingyue Courtyard."

After Madam Chen had gone, Qingdai returned inside, lowering her voice to report to Tan Qingjiu, "They’ve left."

"I saw Madam Chen outside, stamping her feet and flinging her sleeves, glaring at our courtyard. Who knows what kind of mischief she’s plotting."

---

Tan Qingjiu chuckled. "What’s there to fear? If troops come, we’ll fight them; if water rises, we’ll build a dam. I’m not afraid of her. Are you?"

Qingdai widened her eyes. "Afraid of her? What a joke. She’s an ignorant woman who knows nothing but scheming for favor. What is there to fear?"

"Exactly."

Qingdai’s eyes darted. "Was it really the mountain lily that poisoned Nanny Liu? But as far as I recall, though it’s toxic, it doesn’t cause such symptoms, nor does it poison by touch."

"It wasn’t," Tan Qingjiu replied, tapping Qingdai’s forehead. "Silly girl, the poison on Nanny Liu’s hands was my doing. As for what I said, it was all made up to fool them."

"She didn’t even know what she had touched, so it was easy to scare her, wasn’t it?"

Qingdai burst out laughing. "Mistress, you’re wicked! If Nanny Liu ever finds out, she’ll be so angry she might cough up blood."

"And Madam Chen, coming here all fierce and imposing, only to have her arrogance deflated by your few words. That was hilarious..."

Tan Qingjiu couldn’t help but smile as well. "So, this story teaches us: to strike a snake, go for its seven inches. Always seize upon a person’s weakness, their greatest vulnerability."

"Chen Yue’s origins are lowly. She began as a mere maid in Tan Yun’s rooms. Only after he married his main wife was she raised to concubine, and later, by her own machinations, to the position of Madam. The thing she hates most is her own origins."

"Her background means she never had the chance to be taught the duties and etiquette of a noble lady before marriage, as true daughters of great families are. The less one has, the more one cares for it. Such is human nature."

Qingdai gave her mistress a thumbs up. "You’re truly remarkable."

Tan Qingjiu laughed, then turned to instruct the pharmacy boys and medical women to organize the supplies. She had barely finished when hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Turning her head, Tan Qingjiu saw the steward returning, a Jade Token of the Healing Pavilion in his hand.

"Second Miss, a woman is making a scene at the gate, claiming you killed her husband."