Ji Meiniang handed everything over to Xiang Wan to handle, and Wang Ma's face immediately turned ashen.

All the servants were in the front hall, except for a few guards who, as Xiang Wan had instructed, searched Huan'er's room and Wang Ma's son Erfu's room. Wang Ma had already thrown the powder out through the crack in the door when Huan'er spoke. However, some residue remained, which Zijuan carefully wrapped in a handkerchief and presented to Xiang Wan.

Bringing it close to my nose and taking a gentle sniff, I could tell that the scent matched the faint medicinal fragrance emanating from Ji Meiniang.

When the guards searched the room and laid out everything on the table, which was exactly as Huan'er had described, Wang Ma knew that she had no chance of escaping punishment.

However, she still stared intently at Ji Meiniang and pleaded, "Madam, this old servant has not harmed you. Everything this old servant has done is for your own good..."

"Enough!"

Enraged, Xiang Wan slapped her so hard that she fell to her knees, spitting out a mouthful of blood, along with her two front teeth.

"Don't you know what the medicine powder is for? You're plotting to murder my mother while claiming it's for her own good. Why don't you just die!"

“Xiang Wan,” Ji Meiniang appeared beside Xiang Wan at some point, stopping her arm as she raised it again, “Don’t get angry, let her finish speaking.”

Seeing Ji Meiniang's unmoved and calm demeanor, Wang Ma's eyes welled up with tears. She knew that her mistress was never one to be weak and bullied, and with that, she could finally rest easy.

Wang Ma spat, her gaping front teeth flashing, and feigned madness, "Miss, you've always been clever, but it's a pity you were blind to marry such a heartless bastard. I'm going to drug you so you can't have another child. That way, Xinqian's wish will be fulfilled, the Cao family... hahahaha, the Cao family... hahahahaha..."

"Shut up! How dare an old servant address the master by his name? Are you insane?"

To prevent Wang Ma from saying anything more outrageous, Yuan Xiqing spoke up to stop her.

Ji Meiniang glanced at her quietly and said, "Yuan Xiqing, don't worry. I'm tired! Someone, lock her up in the woodshed. No one is allowed to see her without permission. Take Huan'er to the main courtyard; I still have questions for her. Everyone else, disperse."

Wang Ma was escorted away by strong servants. As she left, her eyes remained fixed on Ji Meiniang, filled with reluctance, guilt, and sadness, but even more so with worry and relief.

The crowd dispersed, and Xiang Wan followed Ji Meiniang to the main courtyard.

As soon as she entered the house, Ji Meiniang could no longer maintain her composure in front of others, and tears streamed down her face.

"Wan'er, why did I realize this so late? You are the same, and so is she..."

Xiang Wan quietly stayed with her, wiping away her tears that she couldn't hold back.

The truth is always cruel. Once the damage has been done, a price must be paid, no matter how unbearable it may be.

"Mother, don't worry, I will definitely not let her die."

Ji Meiniang remained noncommittal; what flowed from her eyes were not only her tears, but also her long-standing weakness of not daring to face reality.

Once the tears have dried up, what remains is only strength and courage.