Chapter 39: Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law’s big quarrel (2/2)

“Ah…daughter understands,” Murong Wanru gave a fake sigh as a proud sense of joy flickered past her eyes.

Han Yunxi, the woodhouse is nothing like the Hibiscus Courtyard. As your little sister, I’ll make sure to take good care of you.

—

Nighttime. Han Yunxi huddled in the woodhouse, eating large mouthfuls of rice. Since this was her situation now, she might as well take it easy. Actually, this was much better than what she expected from before. If the handkerchief hadn’t held that spot of red, she might have been put to death long ago. Now, even if she contradicted Grand Concubine Yi, the punishment still wouldn’t kill her.

As long as it wasn’t a death sentence, she still had many ways to face off against Grand Concubine Yi.

Except, would that fellow Long Feiye choose to interfere? Even then, which side would he choose? Why was she thinking about him again? Oh right, an ice-cold guy like him wouldn’t even speak to her unless he wanted a favor.

Come morning, three meals arrived with the ensuring dishes to pass by peacefully. But by the third day, all the food they gave her was spoiled. Han Yunxi knew her difficulties were just beginning. She didn’t say anything, but returned the items untouched. The fourth and fifth days were the same: three meals of rancid food. After starving for three days, Han Yunxi was completely out of energy. She lay against a pile of firewood, her bright eyes staring up at the skies. Her lips were pale white, but she still looked beautiful when she quirked them up in a smile.

Sometimes, admitting to your wrongs and begging for forgiveness could get you a meal in exchange, but not here. If she forced herself to eat the spoiled food, she’d only meet with more cruelty and suffering. She wasn’t even the one at fault, so she refused to admit it even if they beat her to death. Han Yunxi wasn’t a masochist. She cherished her life and dared to challenge Grand Concubine Yi because she’d prepared an excellent way out beforehand.

Spoiled food was spoiled food. She raised her fingers to tick off the time, calculating the days. Tomorrow, Princess Changping would definitely arrive to seek her help in treating her poison. Otherwise, her face would be ruined for good. As long as Princess Changping came, Grand Concubine Yi would be forced to retrieve her from the woodhouse.

Early morning on the sixth day, Murong Wanru and Gui mama watched from the trees as another rancid meal was delivered.

“She’s been starved for three days by now, but she’s still keeping quiet. This girl’s temper is something tough,” Gui mama sighed, deeply moved. Grand Concubine Yi hadn’t intended to starve Han Yunxi to death this time, especially without a good enough reason. She couldn’t just kill off her daughter-in-law for being too pushy with others, right? How would she explain things to her son? Not to mention, she still couldn’t figure out why the Duke of Qin would admit to the drop of red on the handkerchief.

The Duke of Qin was a very busy man who was gone for days at a time. Grand Concubine waited on one side for Han Yunxi to beg for forgiveness, and on the other side for her son to return so she could complain to him.

“How is it? Does she want to beg for forgiveness yet? Mufei won’t be able to hear it.” Murong Wanru’s usual touching face wore an uncharacteristically dark and hateful expression. Perhaps there’d be better chances in the future, but she wasn’t the type that liked waiting. From a distance, Murong Wanru stared at the woodhouse before lowering her voice. “Gui mama, sister-in-law isn’t in the mood to eat, but she should at least drink some water. Otherwise, how could things stand as they are?”

As she spoke, she turned to walk away, speaking faintly, “I heard that Red Crown Crane[1] is one of the most effective fast-acting poisons.”

Gui mama jerked slightly and chased after her a few steps before stopping. Over the years, many of Grand Concubine Yi’s people had been bought off by Murong Wanru. It wouldn’t be long before she was arranged as one of Long Feiye’s secondary wives. The official wife was just a decoration. Whoever held Grand Concubine Yi’s affections was the real master of the Duke of Qin’s estate. Taking this into consideration, Gui mama made a prompt decision to go out and buy the poison herself…

—

At noon, a single plate of vegetables was delivered to the woodhouse, along with a cup of water. If it wasn’t for drinking water, Han Yunxi might have fainted from hunger long ago. Her body now paled in comparison to the one she had before time-traveling. It was so sickly that she herself disdained it. And yet, as soon as the meal was set down, her poison alarms went off in her head. Han Yunxi picked up the cup of water and took a careful sniff. She recognized the presence of Red Crown Crane instantly.

This poison was particularly vicious and very commonplace. It was simple to pick out with a single sniff. Han Yunxi guessed that Grand Concubine Yi wouldn’t kill her so easily, so this was definitely Murong Wanru’s doing. She had no food and now not even any water. Murong Wanru, if this really was your poison, I’ll definitely pay back this enmity!

She endured until the afternoon, feeling cold, thirsty, and hungry as she wavered on the edge of collapse. Looking at the four walls sealing her in, she still kept a faint smile filled with hope for the future on her lips. It wouldn’t be long before she could get out of this place.

—

In the evening, Grand Concubine Yi finally came to the woodhouse with Murong Wanru.

“How many days has she been starved? She hasn’t fallen into a coma, right?” Grand Concubine Yi asked lazily. She was convinced that Han Yunxi had starved herself into a faint, and that’s why she didn’t beg for forgiveness.

“Perhaps so, mufei. Sister-in-law’s body is weak, this punishment is enough for her,” Murong Wanru said, apparently with good intentions.

“How many times have I told you? As a person, especially as a woman, you can’t be softhearted. Would someone as wicked as her feel grateful for your pity?” Grand Concubine Yi asked helplessly.

Murong Wanru lowered her head without a word, heart filled to the brim with anticipation. Very soon they would see not the wicked Han Yunxi, but her corpse!

-o-

[1] Red Crown Crane (???) – yan ding hong, an ancient poison name, possibly an euphemism for arsenic.