Chapter 21: Trying to Please Me?

Yin Jiaojiao affectionately took her arm and said with a smile, "Is that so? Come in and tell me all about it."

Xia Lan joyfully recounted what she had seen and heard over the past few days. Yin Jiaojiao held her teacup, listening half-heartedly, until she finally asked, "So, in other words, you have brought back a drug called 'Zhaojian San'—a substance that is colorless, odorless, and undetectable by ordinary physicians—which, within three to five days, will cause Gu Xuezhi to suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and a complete loss of appetite?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Does this drug cause any real harm to her body?"

Xia Lan shook her head. "No, it is actually similar to croton seeds; it is not poisonous and only upsets the stomach."

If that were truly the case, it would indeed be a clever tool to make someone embarrass themselves.

Yin Jiaojiao murmured an acknowledgement. "This drug was your father’s suggestion. Does anyone else know about it, or is it just him?"

Xia Lan was about to answer when her heart suddenly tightened. Yin Jiaojiao’s demeanor was calmer than she had expected, which felt wrong. Furthermore, her questions were hitting all the critical points, as if she knew something, yet based on what she knew of her, it was impossible for her to have discovered anything amiss.

Xia Lan steadied herself and said, "To be honest, Princess, I also met a Taoist priest."

"A Taoist priest?"

"Something like Zhaojian San is a specialty of the underworld; it would be too conspicuous to buy at a regular pharmacy. It is safer to acquire it from a wandering practitioner. Rest assured, Princess, as soon as I met him, he left the Eastern Capital immediately. People like him, once they depart, have no fixed path; one might not see them again for eight or ten years. There could be no arrangement safer than this."

Yin Jiaojiao fell silent. Seeing this, Qiu Ming stepped forward and pulled Xia Lan aside.

"Sister Xia Lan, you don't know, but there have been new changes in the manor these past few days."

"What changes?"

"It seems the Prince isn't as focused on the West Garden as he used to be." Qiu Ming rolled her eyes. "I reckon it’s because of the few new ladies who have entered the estate. We just went to check, and we learned that these young ladies are very ambitious and have already captured the Prince's attention."

"This..." Xia Lan frowned. "The Princess wants to use these young ladies to divert the County Princess's favor—that's all well and good... but these sorts of unsavory women may not always be obedient. Could this be inviting a wolf into the house?"

"It’s better than watching Gu Xuezhi strut about flaunting her power," Yin Jiaojiao scoffed. "If things go well, we might not even need the drug."

Xia Lan panicked inwardly. "That won't do!"

She had responded too quickly and too urgently, as if her plans had been disrupted. Yin Jiaojiao asked, puzzled, "Why not?"

"Princess, even if the Prince is interested in those newcomers, it is only a passing fancy. They cannot compare to Madam Sun, who is as beautiful as she is a childhood sweetheart of the Prince. You must not mistake who your true opponent is."

Yin Jiaojiao pondered this and said, "That makes sense. It is safer to play both sides. As it happens, I am planning to host a banquet."

Xia Lan and Qiu Ming said in unison, "A banquet?"

"Gu Xuezhi’s birthday is approaching. As the Princess and her sister-in-law, it is only right that I take care of it and celebrate it properly."

Both maids were stunned, each harboring their own hidden thoughts.

***

Yin Jiaojiao looked at Xia Lan. "Since you brought this Zhaojian San and understand it best, you shall be the one to administer it."

Xia Lan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Very well!"

"Xia Lan, be sure to control the dosage carefully. Not too little, not too much. It only needs to be enough for her to make a fool of herself at the birthday banquet; you must not truly harm her."

"Rest assured, Princess."

"It is getting late. You have been traveling for days, so go back and rest early. You don't need to serve me today." Yin Jiaojiao said gently, "Xia Lan, you grew up with me and know me best. I have always trusted you most; you know that."

Xia Lan pursed her lips, a flicker of indescribable emotion crossing her eyes.

"I know."

"So, in the matter of the drug, only you can ensure it is handled properly for me, correct?"

"Correct!"

"Good, go."

Xia Lan withdrew. Yin Jiaojiao watched until her figure disappeared before letting out a soft sigh.

"If I had truly listened to her, it wouldn't be long before Gu Xuezhi accused me of poisoning a County Princess and the widow of a war hero. At best, I’d be sent to a remote estate to rot for the rest of my days; at worst... I’d be executed or exiled to die on the road. Truly a 'good' maid I have, plotting so painstakingly to destroy me."

Qiu Ming pursed her lips and asked cautiously, "The Princess guessed as much?"

"I suspected as much before I sent her on this errand—I wondered how someone like Gu Xuezhi would respond if she were the one behind the scenes. I didn't expect this Madam Sun to be even bolder than I imagined, actually attempting to turn my own scheme against me."

"Then shouldn't we tell the Prince everything right now? With the testimonies of Lin Wu and Lin Wen, the Prince will surely understand that someone is pulling strings behind Xia Lan's back. He cannot tolerate even a speck of sand in his eye; he might even take action himself. If the Prince is willing to investigate, he will certainly get to the bottom of it, and Madam Sun will have nowhere to hide!"

If this were her past life, Yin Jiaojiao might have done exactly that. But not now. Nothing was more important than survival. Although Gu Xuezhi’s counter-scheme was dangerous, it also had its advantages. Perhaps this was the opportunity heaven had granted her, and she had to seize it.

"No rush. We shall wait until after the birthday banquet."

Qiu Ming was stunned. "Princess, this matter shouldn't be delayed. It’s easy for complications to arise. Besides, why host a banquet for her? Once the Prince finds out the truth, she will be driven out of the manor even if she isn't charged with a crime. Wouldn't that settle it?"

"In short, I want the evidence to be incontrovertible before I expose Gu Xuezhi’s true face. Therefore, we must not take a single wrong step from here on out."

Qiu Ming nodded, though she only half-understood.

The next morning, Yin Jiaojiao went straight to the West Garden.

Gu Xuezhi had moved into the Prince's manor two months prior under an imperial decree, and Xiao Yuanchi had personally arranged for her to reside in the West Garden. The West Garden was quite spacious, separated from her own East Court by a lake and a grove of peach trees. When she had first arrived, Yin Jiaojiao had visited once or twice for appearances' sake, but since then, she had avoided it whenever possible, choosing to keep out of sight and out of mind.

Gu Xuezhi's residence was in the innermost part of the West Garden, with winding paths lined with purple bamboo—ethereal, serene, and elegant. Even before stepping through the door, one could hear the sound of her playing the zither; it was the original melody of "Lin Jiang Xian."

"County Princess, that dancer named Luo Xiang is not even a fraction as good as you. I heard that when she sang this song, she even changed the lyrics, making them sound vulgar and wanton. It angered the Prince so much he called her a 'clumsy imitation'!"

Gu Xuezhi lowered her eyes. "Just a clown with no literary sense. She is not worth your attention."

"That is true. Yin Jiaojiao really thought those stupid things could pose any threat to you. The Prince didn't come these past few days simply because he had important matters to attend to; it had nothing to do with those sluts!"

Gu Xuezhi’s playing stopped. A moment later, Yin Jiaojiao stepped into the room, looking cheerful and bright.

"That is true. I also don't think those young sisters pose any threat to Madam Sun. Han Yan, do not worry."

Han Yan was startled. Seeing who it was, she quickly said, "Princess, I... I spoke out of turn."

"It is my fault for not disciplining her properly." Gu Xuezhi stood up unhurriedly. "Go and receive your punishment!"

Han Yan scrambled away in a hurry. Yin Jiaojiao remained smiling, not the least bit annoyed.

"Madam Sun has strict household rules, I see." Yin Jiaojiao stepped onto the veranda. "What a fine zither. A gift from the Prince?"

Gu Xuezhi murmured an acknowledgment. "A birthday gift from when I was fourteen. A trivial thing of little value, Princess need not concern yourself with it."

"A century ago, Master Situ lived in seclusion in the Zhongnan Mountains, crafting zithers that became world-renowned. Only three remain in the world today, and this is one of them. Madam Sun, although I have no literary sense, I can still tell the quality of a zither. You need not be so modest."

"..." Gu Xuezhi slowly raised her eyes. "Could it be that the Princess was the one who wrote those vulgar lyrics?"

Yin Jiaojiao’s smile stiffened. She had indeed changed the lyrics, and the version Luo Xiang had used was the one she had altered. She had been feeling resentful, and her true feelings had slipped out.

"Madam Sun is joking." She continued to look at the zither. "Such a fine instrument, and Madam Sun’s playing is unparalleled. It is a pity to keep it here in this small courtyard, merely playing for yourself. It would be wonderful if we could hear such marvelous music at your birthday banquet five days from now."

Gu Xuezhi had been prepared, but she still feigned surprise. "A birthday banquet?"

"Yes. It is rare that you are spending your birthday in the Prince's manor this year. As the mistress of the house, I must fulfill my duties as a hostess and throw a lively celebration for you." Yin Jiaojiao suddenly looked her straight in the eye. "Will you accept my gesture, Madam Sun?"

Gu Xuezhi smiled, her soft, sweet voice sounding as if she were singing. "Is the Princess doing this as an apology for pushing me into the water last time?"

Yin Jiaojiao paused for a moment. "Madam Sun is certainly forthright. Then I shall not pretend either. You have repeatedly slandered me, and I have not held it against you—not because I have a good temper, but because I did not want to put the Prince in a difficult position. Hosting this banquet for you is the same; I simply wish to please the Prince."

Gu Xuezhi had not expected her to refuse the bait, and her smile faltered.

Just then, a man's voice came from behind them.

"To please me?"