Chapter 96: A promise, ten days later (1/2)

Chapter 96: A promise, ten days later

Seeing Madame Li’s uneasy expression, Han Yunxi’s suspicions grew. She didn’t know whether it was because she turned back too quickly and startled her, or if Madame Li was hiding demons in her heart.

“Nothing. You have quite a few medicinal ingredients here,” Han Yunxi smiled and kept moving forward.

Madame Li released a sigh of relief once Han Yunxi turned back. She didn’t miss seeing the latter open those drawers that had held the poison, or how slow her movements have been in comparison. A person who could treat Ten-Thousand Snake Poison naturally knew the poison ingredients as well. Did Han Yunxi suspect something?

All the poison had been cleared away. Even if Han Yunxi opened every single drawer in this room, she wouldn’t find anything. Even if Han Yunxi suspected her, she could only give up her suspicions in the end. Third Madame was still Third Madame, quick to find her cool. She continued to follow after Han Yunxi. This time, Han Yunxi didn’t immediately open the drawer with the snake poison, but tried some others that were poison-free. She saved the poisonous one for last, and again saw no snake poison, only medicinal ingredients.

“Third Madame, these ingredients are all expensive,” Han Yunxi bantered with a smile.

“Esteemed wangfei is jesting. I don’t have many materials here, nor are they rare. If you’re talking about ingredients, you should see the Han Family dispensary, now those are truly rare. If esteemed wangfei is interested, we could accompany you to take a look?” Third Madame smiled, seemingly unaffected.

The Han Family dispensary indeed had many ingredients, even more than the ones in the storehouse here. But those were all commonplace items and held no interest for Han Yunxi. Even if she found the seven common snake poisons of the ten snake poisons there, it would be perfectly normal. After all, those poisons could be used in medicines. But things weren’t so simple with Madame Li’s place.

It was possible that Madame Li was using her three snake poisons for medicine. But Han Yunxi didn’t believe things could be so coincidental. All three of the poisons had disappeared, to be replaced with other medicinal ingredients. She studied Madame Li’s smile as she mused, if I ask her about this now, would it be startling the snake in the grass?[1] After careful consideration, she decided to keep quiet.

“I won’t go today, I’m a bit tired. It’s about time I went back,” Han Yunxi said, stretching lazily as she exited the wooden house.

Outside, Lady Xu, her son, and Han Ruoxue were anxiously fretting over the matter of the storehouse key. Seeing Han Yunxi so carefree, they couldn’t help but gnash their teeth in anger, especially Han Yuqi.

“Esteemed wangfei!” he said these words in a strange tone, pausing before speaking again. “You’re really going to arrange for us to meet father? You’re not trying to trick us, right?”

“What, does eldest young master doubt this wangfei’s words?” Han Yunxi retorted coldly.

“Not doubt. I just don’t know whether I can believe you,” Han Yuqi said in a peculiar tone.

Lady Xu spoke up as well with a chuckle. “Esteemed wangfei, how about this? You set a time so the rest of us can prepare in advance.”

“Exactly, with a set time, we can prepare,” Han Ruoxue added anxiously.

Of course they needed to set a time, otherwise who knows when Han Yunxi would fulfill her promise? Who knows how long she’d drag things on for?

Han Yunxi sized each of them up before pretending to ponder in thought, as if she was stuck in a difficult position. Seeing this, Han Yuqi gave a cold laugh. “Esteemed wangfei, did you want to say that it’ll be hard to bend the rules at the justice courts?”

“This matter is indeed difficult,” Han Yunxi sighed.

Seeing this, the crowd was secretly delighted. They thought that they had forced her into an impasse so she couldn’t reply. But Han Yunxi sighed and sighed before saying, “How about ten days. In ten days, I’ll arrange for you all to see father.”

Actually, with just one word, she could have the Han Family immediately meet Han Congan. But these people were so impatient, of course she’d drag things on and make them wait. They were anticipating a joke, expecting to expose her “crafty plot,” but she was waiting to see their reactions after seeing Han Congan. Lady Xu and eldest young master would probably have the most spectacular reactions.

They didn’t expect Han Yunxi to come up with a timeframe so soon. Lady Xu and Han Ruoxue were both surprised, and Han Yuqi couldn’t even believe it. He asked again, “Esteemed wangfei, you’re certain? You can’t go back on your word and play tricks on us.”

Now Han Yunxi was angry. “What, does eldest young master want this wangfei to sign a contract or a written pledge? Doesn’t the word of a member of the imperial family count?”

A single ‘member of the imperial family’ reminded Han Yuqi that he had to act with propriety. If his butt didn’t want another beating, he’d better control himself. He shot a furious glare at Han Yunxi before resignedly saying, “I’ll trust you this once!”

Seventh Madame was the quietest one. She looked at Han Yunxi, her thoughts filled mostly with worry. She didn’t believe that old master would give esteemed wangfei such an important task. What she feared was that esteemed wangfei would stir up a detrimental fuss. Esteemed wangfei spent so much effort to save the young general and the crown prince, finally earning a position in the imperial family. If she did something disgraceful, what would happen then?

Moreover, once esteemed wangfei fell from favor, she and little Yi’er wouldn’t have an easy life after how Han Yunxi instigated Lady Xu. Right now, Seventh Madame could only wait for ten days until she saw old master and heard his arrangements for them.