Chapter 72 Kill It!

Just as Tan Qingjiu’s feet touched the ground, a sharp cry rang out: “Madam, madam! What’s wrong?”

At the sound of the maid’s alarm, everyone turned in time to see Chen Yueru’s body go limp and topple to the side, only to be hastily caught by her maid.

“Madam? Are you alright?”

Chen Yueru’s face was as pale as death. “I feel weak all over, unable to move, yet my mind is perfectly clear.”

Master Hede’s voice, tinged with panic, followed swiftly: “This is bad. That vengeful spirit just drained the vital energy from Madam Tan.”

No sooner had Master Hede finished speaking than the sharp barking of dogs echoed through the air, growing ever closer.

Startled, everyone looked toward the doorway just as a black blur burst into the courtyard, leaping straight at Chen Yueru.

“The black dog senses it—the presence of the ghost!”

The dog knocked Chen Yueru to the ground once more, jaws snapping open to bite.

“Aah!”

With a sudden lunge, the black dog sank its teeth into her arm and tore away a chunk of flesh.

“Kill it! Kill that beast!”

Chen Yueru shrieked, her voice shrill with terror, while the family retainers, breathless from the chase, drew their swords and charged at the dog. The blade plunged into the animal’s body.

Blood splattered Chen Yueru’s face and clothes.

With a final convulsion, the black dog collapsed atop her.

Chen Yueru’s scalp prickled with fear, her voice rising to a piercing pitch: “Why are you still standing there? Get this filthy beast off me at once!”

The retainers hurriedly dragged the dog’s corpse away. Only then did Chen Yueru manage to take a long, shuddering breath, though her body remained limp and unresponsive.

Her face was streaked with blood, her expression twisted in rage and malice.

Everyone instinctively took a step back.

Master Hede, his own face ashen, quickly recited a Buddhist prayer: “Amitabha. Madam Tan, this evil spirit is far too vicious. There is nothing more a humble monk like myself can do. I must take my leave.”

Master Hede turned and strode swiftly out of the courtyard, fingering his prayer beads and chanting under his breath, “Amitabha, Amitabha...”

Seeing the master in such a state, the others felt a chill creep over them, their hair standing on end.

“Don’t just stand there! Take Madam inside, quickly. If she won’t let me tend to her wounds, then fetch a doctor at once,” Tan Qingjiu said, lowering her gaze to look at Chen Yueru, who had lost all her usual poise and composure. “Madam, you must be careful in all things these days. If a spirit is truly haunting you, it is not to be taken lightly. If it has latched onto you, this may only be the beginning.”

After speaking, Tan Qingjiu glanced around the courtyard, feigning a shiver. “I can’t help but feel something’s amiss here, as if there’s a cold wind blowing. This place is cursed. I should take my leave. Rest well, Madam.”

Without waiting for Chen Yueru’s reply, she hurried away with her attendants.

After Tan Qingjiu’s words, others in the courtyard felt the same creeping chill, goosebumps prickling their skin.

She was right—something was very wrong here.

One of the concubines, voice trembling, said, “I suddenly feel unwell. Please excuse me.”

And where one led, others followed. The concubines and secondary wives began to excuse themselves in succession, each claiming some ailment, and quickly left.

Chen Yueru clenched her teeth so hard it seemed she might break them. Her face, already covered in the black dog’s blood, twisted with rage and fury, making her look all the more terrifying. “Fair-weather cowards! Just you wait!”

Qingdai and Zisu followed Tan Qingjiu back to Yunshang Courtyard, their faces drawn taut until they’d closed the gate behind them. Then Qingdai burst out laughing.

“Oh my, that was too much—Chen Yueru looked absolutely ridiculous!”

“She really thought she could use that trick against our mistress. That black dog was meant to attack and maul you. Luckily, after I told you about it last night, you guessed what she was up to and made preparations. Otherwise, you’d have fallen right into her trap today.”

Zisu nodded. “It’s just a pity about the dog. It was a life, too.”

Tan Qingjiu lowered her gaze. “Chen Yueru fed that dog a poison that would drive it mad. She wanted it to tear me apart. After the dog went berserk today, it wouldn’t have lived long anyway.”

“And the poison would have made its death all the more agonizing.”

“In a way, this was a mercy.”

Qingdai sighed. “There was no help for it, chosen as a pawn by Chen Yueru.”

After a pause, she looked at Tan Qingjiu. “By the way, mistress, what was with that letter earlier? I saw writing appear on a blank sheet—scared me out of my wits! If I hadn’t delivered the paper for them to use myself, I’d have thought there really was a ghost.”

Tan Qingjiu gave a soft laugh. “Just a trifling trick.”

Such methods were nothing special in modern times. One could write a letter with lemon juice, white vinegar, milk, or strong salt water, and the writing would appear under heat.

Of course, there were other natural minerals and substances that could do the same.

But in ancient times, people had never done such things or understood the principles, so it seemed magical.

The effect, it seemed, was rather impressive.

Qingdai’s eyes grew wide. “Really? I’ll have to try it myself—then we can use this to pass secret messages without worrying about them being intercepted!”

Tan Qingjiu nodded, eyes narrowing with satisfaction. “After such a commotion, Chen Yueru probably won’t dare show her face for a while.”

No sooner had she spoken than there came a knock at the door.

The three women exchanged glances. Zisu hurried out to open the gate. “Who is it?”

A servant stepped in. “Second Miss, the Master has returned from court. He requests your presence at Listening Bamboo Pavilion.”

Tan Qingjiu’s eyelids flickered. Tan Yun.

Was he coming to seek justice for Chen Yueru?

Or was there another reason?

Tan Qingjiu rose. “Very well. Let’s go.”

At Listening Bamboo Pavilion, she entered to find Tan Yun standing by a small pond, feeding the fish.

When he saw her, he handed the fish food to the attendant beside him.

“I’ve already heard about what happened in the household this morning,” Tan Yun said, narrowing his eyes at Tan Qingjiu. “Tell me, you said you dreamed of your mother last night? Besides what you’ve already mentioned, did she say anything else?”