The Xi Manor was far busier than usual that afternoon.

Preparations for the ladies’ banquet were already underway, and servants could be seen moving throughout the estate carrying trays, flower arrangements, silk decorations, tea sets, and account books. The once quiet main courtyard had transformed into a place of constant activity as instructions were given from every direction.

Beneath the shaded pavilion overlooking the courtyard, Lin Meiyun sat at the central table with several ledgers opened before her.

As the Duchess of the Xi family, the responsibility of hosting the banquet naturally fell upon her shoulders.

Beside her sat Xi Ronghua, who was currently reviewing a list of invited guests while occasionally making suggestions regarding seating arrangements.

Across from them, Gu Yue was helping organize the banquet expenses.

Although she was younger than the two women, she was meticulous by nature and particularly good with numbers, making her useful during occasions such as this.

The atmosphere was busy but orderly.

At least until now.

"Move those flower pots slightly to the left."

Xi Ronghua pointed toward the courtyard.

"No, not that far. Are you trying to block the entire pathway?"

The servant immediately corrected the placement.

Meanwhile, Lin Meiyun continued flipping through one of the account books.

"The tea leaves from the western estate arrived this morning?"

A maid standing nearby nodded respectfully.

"Yes, Duchess."

"And the silk gifts?"

"They have already been prepared."

Lin Meiyun gave a small nod before making another note inside the ledger.

For the next several moments, the only sounds came from servants moving about the courtyard and the occasional discussion regarding banquet preparations.

Then footsteps approached from outside.

A maid hurried into the pavilion before stopping several steps away and bowing respectfully.

"Duchess."

Lin Meiyun looked up.

"What is it?"

"The physician has arrived."

The movement of Xi Ronghua’s brush immediately paused.

Gu Yue slowly lifted her head.

Even Lin Meiyun’s hand stopped moving above the ledger.

For a brief moment, nobody spoke.

Because all three women immediately understood why the physician had been summoned. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Su Yueqing’s thoughts from when she had just arrived still lingered in her mind.

The poisoning.p and the gradual weakening of her body.

Xi Ronghua was the first to break the silence.

"He arrived sooner than expected."

Lin Meiyun slowly closed the account book in front of her.

"Bring him in."

"Yes, Duchess."

The maid bowed before stepping aside.

A few moments later, an elderly physician entered the pavilion.

His hair was already streaked with white, and although his robes were simple, there was a calm steadiness about him that immediately inspired confidence.

A medicine box hung from one arm as he approached.

Upon reaching the pavilion, he bowed respectfully.

"This old physician greets the Duchess."

Lin Meiyun nodded.

"Physician Zhao."

Xi Ronghua looked toward the surrounding servants.

"You may all leave."

The servants immediately understood.

Within moments, everyone withdrew from the pavilion, leaving only Lin Meiyun, Xi Ronghua, Gu Yue, and the physician behind.

Even after the courtyard emptied, none of the women spoke immediately.

Physician Zhao naturally noticed the unusual atmosphere.

His experienced eyes moved across their faces before settling on Lin Meiyun.

"Duchess, are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Meiyun exchanged a glance with Xi Ronghua.

Then she answered carefully.

"I would like a thorough examination."

The physician nodded.

"Of course."

Without asking further questions, he set down his medicine box and prepared to take her pulse.

Lin Meiyun extended her hand.

The physician placed two fingers against her wrist.

The pavilion fell completely silent.

Xi Ronghua unconsciously tightened her grip on the armrest beside her.

Gu Yue sat unusually still.

Even Lin Meiyun herself found her heart beating slightly faster than normal.

Because no matter how unbelievable Su Yueqing’s revelations had sounded...

Every warning she had given so far had proven true.

One after another.

Not a single one had been wrong.

If this was true as well...

The consequences would be terrifying.

Several moments passed.

Then several more.

The physician’s brows slowly furrowed as Xi Ronghua immediately straightened.

Physician Zhao remained silent as he continued checking her pulse.

Finally, the physician withdrew his hand.

The silence that followed seemed endless.

Lin Meiyun looked directly at him.

"Speak honestly."

Physician Zhao hesitated.

His expression had become unusually serious.

After several moments, he finally lowered his voice.

"Duchess..."

The moment he spoke, everyone’s attention locked onto him.

"This old physician would like to ask..."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"Have you been consuming the same tonic for a long period of time?"

The color immediately drained from Xi Ronghua’s face.

Gu Yue’s eyes widened.

And Lin Meiyun felt her heart sink.

Because the answer was yes.

Xi Ronghua sat upright so abruptly that the tea in her cup nearly spilled.

"What did you just say?"

Her voice was sharp enough to make even Gu Yue flinch.

The physician remained calm, though the seriousness in his eyes had become more pronounced than before.

Lin Meiyun’s fingers slowly tightened around the edge of the table.

"What tonic?" she asked quietly.

Physician Zhao looked at her.

"The tonic you have been consuming regularly."

He paused before continuing.

"The one prescribed to strengthen your health and replenish your energy."

Lin Meiyun’s expression darkened.

For years she had indeed been taking a medicinal tonic prepared specifically for her.

It was recommended after an illness several years ago, and because it came from a trusted source, nobody had ever questioned it.

Xi Ronghua immediately understood the implication.

Her face turned cold.

"Are you saying the poison is inside the tonic?"

Physician Zhao nodded slowly.

"I cannot be completely certain until I examine the medicine itself, but based on Duchess Lin’s pulse, there is a very high possibility."

Silence descended over the pavilion.

The sounds of servants moving outside suddenly felt incredibly distant.

Even the birds chirping in the trees seemed muted.

Gu Yue felt a chill crawl down her spine.

"How serious is it?"

Physician Zhao sighed.

"The poison itself is not designed to kill quickly."

That answer only made everyone feel worse.

Because a quick death was obvious.

A slow death was deliberate.

It required planning and patience.

The physician continued.

"It is the type of poison often used by people who do not wish to attract attention. Small amounts are administered over a long period of time. The victim gradually becomes weaker, their health deteriorates little by little, and eventually their body begins to fail."

Xi Ronghua’s face had already become frighteningly cold.

"And during that time?"

Physician Zhao looked at her.

"Most people would simply assume the victim was suffering from poor health."

The pavilion fell silent again.

Because that was exactly what had happened.

Over the past year, Lin Meiyun had become more easily fatigued.

She occasionally suffered headaches.

Some days she lacked energy.

Other days she felt unusually weak.

None of it had seemed alarming enough to warrant suspicion.

Now, however...

Everything suddenly appeared different.

Gu Yue swallowed hard.

"Could another physician have discovered it?"

Physician Zhao was quiet for a moment.

Then he shook his head.

"Not easily."

His expression became grave.

"This poison is extremely well hidden."

"To an inexperienced physician, Duchess Lin’s pulse would appear slightly weak but otherwise normal."

Xi Ronghua’s hand clenched into a fist.

"What about an experienced physician?"

Physician Zhao gave a bitter smile.

"Even many experienced physicians would likely overlook it."

The room became even quieter.

Then he added something that made everyone’s hearts sink.

"To be honest, if this old physician had encountered this case twenty years ago, I might have missed it as well."

Xi Ronghua’s eyes widened.

Even Lin Meiyun looked surprised.

Physician Zhao had spent decades practicing medicine.

His reputation was known throughout the capital.

Yet even he was saying such a thing.

The physician slowly stroked his beard.

"This poison does not attack aggressively. Instead, it blends with the body and weakens it gradually. Unless someone specifically suspects poisoning and examines the pulse very carefully, the signs are extremely difficult to detect."

Gu Yue’s face turned pale.

"Then if nobody discovered it..."

Physician Zhao looked toward Lin Meiyun.

The answer was obvious.

"Within several years, the Duchess’s health would continue declining."

"No one would suspect murder."

"No one would investigate."

"And eventually..."

He did not finish the sentence.

He didn’t need to.

Everyone already understood.

Xi Ronghua suddenly slammed her hand against the table.

The loud sound startled everyone.

"Good!"

Her voice trembled with anger.

"Very good!"

"Someone actually dared to poison the Duchess of the Xi family inside our own manor!"

The fury in her eyes was terrifying.

Gu Yue had rarely seen her mother this angry.

Meanwhile, Lin Meiyun sat quietly in her seat.

Compared to Xi Ronghua’s rage, she seemed almost calm.

But only on the surface.

Because beneath the table, her hand was trembling slightly.

A long silence followed.

Then Lin Meiyun finally spoke.

"If I stop taking the tonic now, can the poison be removed?"

Physician Zhao nodded.

"Fortunately, the dosage accumulated inside your body is not yet fatal."

Everyone released a breath they hadn’t realized they were holding.

The physician continued.

"I will prepare a prescription to cleanse your body over the coming months."

"With proper treatment, Duchess Lin should recover."

Only then did some of the tension leave the pavilion.

But it was quickly replaced by something else.

Anger.

Because someone had done this intentionally.

Someone had been poisoning Lin Meiyun for years.

Someone inside the Xi Manor.

Xi Ronghua’s eyes turned icy.

"Find out who prepared that tonic."

Gu Yue nodded immediately.

"And who delivered it."