The Prisoner of Beauty

The cat jumped to the ground, sniffed at the remnants of the noodles, and let out a "meow" before sticking out its tongue to lick. Just as it was about to do so, Xiao Qiao bent down, scooped it up, and carried it to the door, letting it out.

When she raised her head, she glanced at Jiang Nao, who was waiting in the corridor, taking in her expression. Then, without showing any emotion, she turned and went back inside.

The room fell silent.

Zhu Shi stared at the clump of noodles mixed among the broken pieces of the bowl on the floor, her face turning extremely grim. She suddenly looked up, glaring at Xiao Qiao as if about to explode, but she held back. Zhong Ao, suppressing her own confusion, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "This cat is really mischievous, spoiled rotten. Even when held, it squirms around. Just now, it jumped out on its own and knocked over the tray. Madam, please don’t be upset."

Madam Xu glanced at Xiao Qiao. Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, as if nothing had happened, and that she didn’t offer any explanation to Zhu Shi, Madam Xu found her reaction unusual. However, she didn’t dwell on it. Noticing Zhu Shi’s extremely unpleasant expression and her barely contained anger—likely because she was in Madam Xu’s presence—Madam Xu sighed inwardly, thinking, "Her temperament is still too narrow-minded." She then spoke up: "Enough, it’s just a mindless creature. What’s done is done. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Next time I feel like eating, I’ll ask you to make it again. I’m tired this morning, so you may go back now."

Zhu Shi secretly resented Xiao Qiao, suspecting that she had deliberately let the cat knock over the tray to prevent her from showing filial piety in front of Madam Xu. Now that even Madam Xu had spoken, her tone clearly showing some favoritism, Zhu Shi felt even more indignant. She forced herself to remain composed, acknowledged Madam Xu’s words, and then left with Jiang Nao, who kept looking back.

Zhong Ao called in a maid to clean up the mess of noodles and spilled soup on the floor, while she herself helped Madam Xu lie back down on the bed.

Xiao Qiao watched from the side. When the maid finished cleaning and was about to leave, she said to Zhong Ao, "Auntie, may I have a word with you?"

Zhong Ao glanced at her and agreed. After informing Madam Xu, the two of them left the room.

Once outside, Xiao Qiao instructed the maid who had swept up the mess to bring the remnants of the cold noodles and soup with her. Zhong Ao, puzzled but holding back her questions, followed Xiao Qiao to a clearing in the courtyard. Xiao Qiao told the maid to leave the remnants and go. When they were alone, Xiao Qiao said, "Auntie, you must have noticed earlier that I deliberately let the cat knock over the tray in Madam’s hands."

Zhong Ao had indeed noticed. Although she had been confused at the time, she had still stepped in to mediate. Now that Xiao Qiao brought it up, she asked, "Why did you do that, Miss?"

Xiao Qiao replied directly, "I suspect there’s something unclean in that bowl of noodles."

Zhong Ao was slightly startled. She looked at Xiao Qiao and said, "Miss, do you realize the implications of what you’re saying?"

Xiao Qiao took a deep breath and said, "I’m fully aware. To be honest, I’m not entirely certain. But since I have my suspicions, and for the sake of Grandmother’s safety, even if this action was inappropriate, I had to do it."

Zhong Ao looked at her for a moment, her expression gradually softening. She nodded and said, "You did the right thing, Miss. Whenever there’s any doubt, whether it’s clean or not, it shouldn’t be given to the Elder Madam. You’ve always been very methodical. Since you acted today and called me here, there must be a reason. Please go on, Miss."Xiao Qiao said, "Auntie, you also know that since I entered this household, I have never been favored by my mother-in-law. That Jiang Nao, who is close to her, has been constantly inciting my mother-in-law against me. I won’t hide it from you, Auntie. I know I come from the Qiao family, and there has been a long-standing feud between the Qiao and Wei families. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, I had my wet nurse befriend Huang Nao from the east wing, entrusting her to keep an eye on Jiang Nao’s movements. If anything unusual happens, she would inform me so I could prepare in advance. Just a few days ago, Huang Nao reported that Jiang Nao had secretly left the mansion through the back gate and went to the residence of Marquis Li in the west of the city. She didn’t use the side gate but entered through the back gate as well, staying only for a short while before leaving. Her behavior was suspicious. I inquired a bit and found that my mother-in-law and the Marquis’ wife usually don’t have much interaction. This made me wary, so I had someone keep an eye on the Marquis’ wife. This morning, I received news that the Marquis’ wife possesses a rare and deadly snake venom from India, just one drop of which can kill. Thinking that Jiang Nao might be secretly communicating with the Marquis’ wife behind Madam’s back, I felt uneasy and hurried back home. On my way here, I happened to see Jiang Nao outside the door and noticed my mother-in-law handing food to my grandmother. Fearing the worst, I acted impulsively and let the cat out, knocking over the tray."

As Xiao Qiao spoke, Zhong Ao’s expression grew increasingly grave.

Xiao Qiao continued, "Auntie, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t know for sure whether Jiang Nao went to the Marquis’ residence to obtain the snake venom. Even if she did, I have no idea whom she intends to poison. Everything I’ve said is just based on my intuition! That’s why I didn’t dare to speak up in front of my grandmother and only called you out to talk. Regardless of whether this bowl of noodles is safe or not, you must keep a close eye on Jiang Nao from now on!"

Zhong Ao stared at the pile of leftover noodles in the dustpan, suddenly grabbed it, and quickly walked to the corner of the courtyard where a bowl of goldfish was kept. She poured the leftover noodles and broth into the bowl.

Xiao Qiao stepped forward, holding her breath, and watched intently with Jiang Nao.

The goldfish, seeing the food, initially swam over to peck at it. After a while, their movements slowed, and soon, one by one, the five or six large goldfish that had been raised for years slowly floated to the surface, belly up.

Xiao Qiao glanced at Zhong Ao.

Zhong Ao’s eyes were fixed on the belly-up goldfish, her face suddenly turning ashen, her eyes blazing with anger. She abruptly turned and rushed towards Madam Xu’s room.

……

Jiang Nao, who had returned to the east wing with Zhu Shi, was feeling extremely anxious.

She never expected that the bowl of soup noodles, which was about to be handed to Madam Xu, would be knocked over by a cat that suddenly flew out.

Recalling the glance Xiao Qiao gave her when she sent the cat out, she couldn’t help but feel her nerves tighten.

Xiao Qiao couldn’t possibly know the truth about the noodles.

But why was it such a coincidence that the cat in her arms flew out at that very moment, ruining the carefully planned scheme?

According to the prior arrangement, there should be someone waiting outside the back gate for her to deliver the message.

She felt restless, as if a cold wind was blowing down her back. She wanted to go out quickly to pass on the message, but Zhu Shi kept talking to her, complaining in front of her about Xiao Qiao’s malicious intentions and how she couldn’t stand Madam Xu favoring her even a little.Jiang Nao patiently persuaded Zhu Shi, finally managing to calm her down a bit and escort her back to her room. Just as she was hurrying to the back gate, she heard a flurry of footsteps in the courtyard. Looking up, she saw Zhong Ao leading seven or eight women into the courtyard.

Zhong Ao stood there, her gaze like icicles covered in thorns, coldly scanning Jiang Nao from head to toe without saying a word. The two maids behind her stepped forward and seized Jiang Nao, who stood frozen at the door, twisting her arms behind her back.

Zhu Shi, lost in thought in her room, suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps in the courtyard, as if many people had arrived. Feeling agitated, she stood up to go out and reprimand them when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Zhong Ao appeared at the entrance.

Zhu Shi was startled. "What are you doing here?"

Zhong Ao stared at Zhu Shi and said, "The Elder Madam has summoned you. She has some questions for you."

Zhu Shi was puzzled. She vaguely sensed that something unfavorable to her had happened. Her mind immediately went to the cursed doll hidden in her room, and her heart began to race. But then she thought, this matter was too secretive; it couldn’t possibly be known. Finally, she steadied herself and slowly stood up, forcing a smile. "Do you know what it’s about?"

Zhong Ao replied indifferently, "You’ll find out when you get there."

Zhu Shi, filled with unease, headed toward the north house. As soon as she left, Zhong Ao glanced around the room and ordered the servants, "Take everyone in this room and keep them under watch. Search carefully—leave no corner untouched."

"Keep it quiet," she added as a final instruction.

...

When Zhu Shi arrived at the north house, she was not immediately allowed into the main room.

She was taken by the maids to a side chamber, where she waited for a long time. Gradually, she grew impatient. Several times she tried to leave, but each time she was stopped by the maids at the door.

The third time she was stopped, Zhu Shi finally lost her temper. "How dare you! Is my son not the Lord of the Wei household? How could you treat me with such disrespect!"

"The Madam requests your presence," a maid who served Madam Xu suddenly appeared and said.

Zhu Shi glared at the maid who had stopped her and headed toward the main room.

Upon entering, she saw only Madam Xu sitting on the couch, her eyes closed as if in deep meditation.

Zhu Shi stopped a few steps away from her, beside a table, and watched her for a moment, not daring to speak first. After a while, she could no longer contain herself and cautiously asked, "May I ask why you’ve summoned me, Mother-in-law?"

Madam Xu slowly opened her eyes, her single eye fixed on Zhu Shi, but she remained silent.

Zhu Shi’s heart pounded.

"If you don’t know, let this old woman tell you. Zhong Ao, bring in the items and show them to her," Madam Xu said calmly.

Zhong Ao immediately entered and placed the items on the ground in front of Zhu Shi.

On the left was a plate containing dead fish, and on the right was a doll. The doll’s forehead was marked with a drop of dark blood, giving it a strange and eerie appearance.

As soon as Zhu Shi caught sight of the doll, her face turned pale.

"These fish have been living in the courtyard pond for years. Just now, I poured the dragon beard noodles you brought this morning into the pond, and the fish were poisoned and turned belly up."

"This cursed doll was also found in your room just now, and it bears the Elder Madam’s birth date!"

"How could you plot against the Elder Madam in such a way? Your malice is truly beyond comprehension!"

Zhong Ao’s voice came through, word by word, cold and unyielding.Zhu Shi's eyes widened in shock, her gaze shifting from the long-dead fish to the doll, and then back to the fish again. She repeated this several times, her entire body beginning to tremble uncontrollably, so much so that she could barely stand. Suddenly, she let out a piercing scream and threw herself to the ground, kneeling.

"It wasn't me, Mother-in-law! How could the noodles I brought have poisoned the goldfish? There must be some mistake! The birth date on this doll—I was framed! I wasn't trying to suppress you, Mother-in-law! How could I dare to harm you? I never intended to hurt you, Mother-in-law, you must believe me—"

Zhu Shi continued to wail.

Madam Xu's face showed no trace of anger; instead, she looked at Zhu Shi with an almost pitying calmness.

"I didn't make those noodles! And I certainly didn't poison them! It was Jiang Nao who told me to bring the noodles for you, Mother-in-law!"

As if suddenly remembering something, Zhu Shi hurriedly added, "Quick, call Jiang Nao here! She must know! She can testify for me!"

Zhong Ao spoke up, "Jiang Nao has already confessed. She said you instructed her to fetch the poison from Marquis Li's wife and put it in the noodles, intending to harm the Elder Madam. Jiang Nao also admitted that, fearing the poison might not work, you had your niece seek out a sorcerer to create this doll for suppression. What more do you have to say?"

Zhu Shi was as if struck by lightning, her face turning deathly pale. She gasped for breath, unable to speak, and then collapsed to the ground. When she regained consciousness, she let out a guttural sound and rasped, "Bring that old hag here! I'll tear her apart! She's the one who framed me! She told me to bring the noodles to you, Mother-in-law! I remember clearly, the birth date on the doll was that of Qiao Nu, not yours, Mother-in-law! That old hag has ruined me!"

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Zhu Shi scrambled to her feet.

"I never thought of suppressing Qiao Nu either; it was that old hag who egged me on! I would never dare to harm you, Mother-in-law! You must investigate this for me, you can't let me bear this blame…"

When Madam Xu heard Zhu Shi mention that the suppression was originally intended for Qiao Nu, a shadow passed over her eyes.

She gestured toward the door.

Zhong Ao understood. Two maids quickly entered and forcibly dragged Zhu Shi, who was still rolling on the ground and crying out her innocence, away.

Even after she was taken away, the echoes of her wails seemed to linger in the rafters, reverberating for a long time.

Madam Xu sat there motionless, silent. Suddenly, she closed her eyes and swayed slightly.

Zhong Ao, who had been watching her closely, hurried over and supported her.

"Let me help you lie down! I'll call the physician from Leling!"

...

By nightfall, the Wei residence appeared calm and peaceful once more.

The physician from Leling had come during the day.

Madam Xu woke up, and Zhong Ao helped her drink some water. Her spirit seemed to slowly begin to recover.

Curled up at the edge of her bed was the cat, still drowsy with its eyes closed.

Madam Xu reached out and stroked the cat, then asked Zhong Ao, who was standing nearby, "Before Jiang Nao committed suicide out of guilt, did she still insist that she was acting under Zhu Shi's orders?"

Zhong Ao replied, "I subjected her to severe punishment. But she still insisted that she was acting on your orders. I also had Zheng Shu detained, and she confessed that she sought out the sorcerer to perform the suppression ritual on your instructions."

"It was my oversight. I didn't expect Jiang Nao to take her own life so quickly." Zhong Ao was filled with self-reproach.Madam Xu's hand paused on the cat's back for a moment, then she suddenly asked, "Do you think Zhu Shi, with her timid nature, would dare to plot against me like this?"

Zhong Ao hesitated for a moment before replying, "Jiang Nao confessed that she was instructed by Madam to obtain the snake venom from the wife of Marquis Li. However, from what I heard from the lady, it seems Jiang Nao intended to manipulate Madam." Seeing Madam Xu's gaze, she added, "This morning, I sent someone to detain the wife of Marquis Li, but upon arrival, we found that she had not risen from bed. The servants initially thought she was still asleep, but when they entered her room, they saw her eyes open, her mind seemingly clear, yet her limbs were paralyzed, and she couldn't speak, as if she had suffered a stroke. They immediately called for a physician, but he was also at a loss. Now she lies there like a living corpse."

Madam Xu frowned, "Such a coincidence?"

"I also find it suspicious. I have already ordered the magistrate of Yuyang to investigate the case."

Madam Xu's hand slowly continued to stroke the cat. The cat woke up, stretched, and then leaped off the bed and out of the room.

Madam Xu watched the cat's retreating figure, a softness gradually appearing in her eyes.

"And my granddaughter-in-law?" she suddenly asked.

Zhong Ao replied, "In the evening, after the Elder Madam took her medicine and fell asleep, the lady stayed by her side. I persuaded her to leave only recently, and she said she would return early tomorrow morning."

"If she hadn't arrived in time this morning and been so vigilant, I might have already fallen victim to my foolish daughter-in-law's schemes!"

Madam Xu was lost in thought for a moment before speaking.

"Elder Madam, it's better to let go of your anger and not harm yourself."

Madam Xu slowly shook her head, "You don't understand, what anger do I have? Although I have lost my descendants, and my family is unfortunate, in my old age, I not only have Shao Er but also such a granddaughter-in-law as Xiao Qiao. What is lost is gained, and the cycle of heaven always turns. I should be content."

……

From the morning onwards, too many things had happened one after another.

Xiao Qiao dragged her tired legs back to her room, took a bath, and threw herself onto the bed, closing her eyes.

The life-and-death crisis of her grandmother in the previous life had finally passed without incident.

After this ordeal, her grandmother and Zhong Ao would surely be more vigilant. The dark hand that had reached into the Wei family would find it much harder to strike again.

Although there were still regrets about the outcome, at least in the future, she wouldn't have to constantly worry about her grandmother being harmed.

Xiao Qiao was actually quite satisfied.

She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.

Author's note: I am a cat lover and couldn't bear to let the cat suffer, so I had to sacrifice the goldfish instead...

Also, while writing this, I noticed some issues with the earlier part where Jiang Nao went to discuss matters with Zheng Shu, so I made some revisions.