Bai Tuantuan stared in disbelief as her maternal grandfather was dragged away by his ear by his maternal grandmother.

"Tuantuan." Chen Zhixiu came out and chuckled, "What's wrong?"

Bai Tuantuan opened her mouth, then shook her head: "Mom, I'm fine, let's go to sleep."

Chen Zhixiu responded and calmly tossed the herbs in her hand into the trash heap, waiting to sweep them away the next day.

Bai Tuantuan caught a glimpse of the root out of the corner of her eye and was horrified. Wasn't that the root of a highly poisonous plant?

"Mother, that's..."

"It's nothing." A dark glint flashed in Chen Zhixiu's eyes as she said softly, "Go to sleep."

Bai Tuantuan lay down with Chen Zhixiu's arm in her arms, slowly checked Chen Zhixiu's pulse, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was not poisoned.

It's so strange, why would Mother use that highly poisonous herb...?

As she thought about it, Bai Tuantuan drifted off to sleep.

On the official road, a man in black was speeding towards the capital.

After Bai Tuantuan woke up, she received an invitation from Han Weiwei, and they arranged to go to her house in three days.

"Tuantuan, your mother will come with you in three days," Chen Zhixiu said slowly after glancing at the invitation.

Bai Tuantuan looked up, her almond-shaped eyes full of confusion: "Mother, aren't you going to set up your stall anymore?"

"Take a day off." Chen Zhixiu smiled.

Bai Tuantuan felt that Chen Zhixiu had been acting strangely these days, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it, so she simply shook her head and let it go.

Three days later, Bai Tuantuan saw Han Weiwei as soon as she got off the carriage.

"Tuantuan, over here!" Han Weiwei said with a smile, "I'd like to invite you and Lin'er, and I've received the jewelry you gave me. I really love it!"

Madam Han also greeted Chen Zhixiu, and after exchanging a few words, Madam He and He Lin arrived.

Han Weiwei led He Lin and Bai Tuantuan to her room, while Madam Han led Chen Zhixiu and Madam He toward the back garden.

"I never expected that Sister Xiu'er would know so much!" Madam Han's eyes lit up. "I have loved reading military books since I was a child, but the ladies of noble families I was friends with were not interested, so over time I rarely read them anymore."

"It seems that Sister Han is a straightforward person." Chen Zhixiu smiled gently and said slowly, "My father knows some martial arts, so my brothers practice martial arts to strengthen their bodies. Under their guidance, I have also become more interested in military books."

"Don't look at me." Madam He quickly waved her hand, her fair face full of rejection. "I don't know anything about military strategy. I'm only interested in books."

Upon hearing this, both Madam Han and Chen Zhixiu laughed. Clearly, all three of them were genuine people, which explained why Han Weiwei, Bai Tuantuan, and He Lin had such a good relationship.

"By the way, I heard that you and the daughter of that Grand Scholar are cousins?" Chen Zhixiu asked curiously after eating a pastry. "What kind of person is that daughter of the Grand Scholar? In all my life, you are the person of the highest status I have ever met."

Madam Han laughed: "What difference could there be? It's still just two eyes and one mouth."

"Hahaha." Madam He laughed first. "Speaking of the capital, I'd also like to know how it differs from our Fenghua Town. Madam Han, please tell us more so we can broaden our horizons."

Madam Han didn't think much of it and said with a smile, "Alright, then let me tell you about my cousin. My cousin's father is indeed a Grand Secretary. My cousin is my aunt's first child and only daughter, so she is very much loved by my aunt and uncle. As for her personality, you know it, so she is naturally a bit arrogant and spoiled."

"My cousin has a knack for getting anything she sets her sights on."

At this point, Madam Han shook her head, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes, clearly indicating that she too had been bullied.

"Then isn't your cousin going to become someone of high status? Marry into the palace?" Madam He asked in a low voice.

"How could that be!" Madam Han took a sip of tea. "My cousin has fallen for the new top scholar, and now that scholar is an official in the Hanlin Academy and is very much favored by the Emperor."

"That's wonderful!" Mrs. He clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Your cousin is so lucky!"

Madam Han nodded: "That's true. My cousin's husband is incredibly devoted to my cousin, always doing whatever she wants." Madam Han paused for a moment, then continued, "However... that's only natural. I've heard that my cousin's husband is just a country boy. If he hadn't married my cousin, he would probably have been sent to some barren place as a local official long ago. How could he have stayed in the capital?"

Madam He looked enlightened: "I see."

Chen Zhixiu picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and said nothing.

"Speaking of my cousin, her birthday is just around the corner, and I'm already racking my brains for a gift." Mrs. Han rubbed her temples and said helplessly, "Do you two sisters have any good ideas?"

“Qingxin leaf,” Chen Zhixiu said softly, “Qingxin leaf can relieve headaches and help with sleep.”

“Your cousin certainly doesn’t lack gold and silver jewelry, and I’ve heard that ladies of noble families have to manage the household and socialize, and it’s common for them to have headaches because they have to go through so much trouble to say a single sentence. This Qingxin Leaf is the perfect choice.” Chen Zhixiu’s words made Madam Han’s eyes turn cold.

"Good sister, please tell me where I can buy these Qingxin leaves? I'll go and buy a few pounds right now!"

Seeing Madam Han's excited expression, Madam He shook her head: "Madam Han, please don't make things difficult for Sister Chen. I've heard that the Qingxin Leaf cannot be cultivated and grows wildly. It's just good luck to have encountered it."

"This..." Madam Han sighed, "I see."

Chen Zhixiu laughed and said, "To be honest, I just happened to pick some Qingxin leaves on the mountain, but I made them into sachets in advance."

"Really? My dear sister, you absolutely have to do me this!" Madam Han pleaded, grasping Chen Zhixiu's hand. "My husband's career advancement still depends on my cousin's help, so..."

“I understand.” Chen Zhixiu smiled. “Don’t worry, I will send one to your residence when I get back.”

Mrs. Han was overjoyed that her worries were finally put to rest, and she chatted with the two of them until evening.

Bai Tuantuan was also very happy, and Han Weiwei brought up Zhou Rubao's matter.

"They just left like that?" He Lin frowned. "But what happened?"

"I don't know." Han Weiwei shook her head. "They left overnight, and even my father doesn't know."

Bai Tuantuan blinked. Well, she didn't know why either. She only knew that her maternal grandfather had injured Madam Zhou, and he was probably in a hurry to save her life...

As the sun set, Chen Zhixiu and Bai Tuantuan also left the Han residence.

After returning to the Chen residence, Chen Zhixiu asked Bai Tuantuan to go play with the Chen Xingfeng brothers.

Bai Tuantuan felt that something was wrong with Chen Zhixiu. She turned back halfway and saw that Chen Zhixiu had put the leaves of a highly poisonous plant in a sachet.

The leaves of this highly poisonous plant are extremely toxic; contact with them will cause poisoning!

Although the poison of this highly poisonous plant is very easy to cure, it is difficult to detect. Those who have been poisoned by it are the same as usual, except that they are more drowsy than usual.

"Please give the sachet to Madam Han. But please do not open it, otherwise the medicine will not be effective."

Chen Zhixiu looked at the old woman and said with a smile.

The old woman quickly agreed and left.

Chen Zhixiu stared at the old woman's retreating figure, her eyes deep and thoughtful. Turning her head, she saw Bai Tuantuan's figure and was taken aback. She forced a smile and asked, "What's Tuantuan doing here? Didn't I tell you to go play with your brothers?"

"Mother, why did you give Madam Han the poisoned sachet?"