Chapter 75 Trading all her wealth for Ajiu's life
The doctor who came was quite skilled; after examining A-Jiu, he immediately diagnosed her as poisoned. However, when asked if he could provide an antidote, the doctor hesitated considerably.
Under repeated questioning from Madam Min, the doctor finally stammered, "This poison can be cured. However, we cannot afford to cure it."
"What do you mean by 'can't solve it'?" everyone asked, puzzled.
The doctor laughed awkwardly, "To cure this poison, I'm afraid it could bankrupt a person."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Madam Min Qiao waved her hand generously, saying, "Just tell me how much silver is needed for the antidote."
The doctor counted on his fingers and said with a pained expression, "Ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, deer antler, cordyceps, snow lotus... all the precious medicinal materials must be used in the medicine. One dose is worth a thousand gold pieces. One dose every ten days, and one dose every year without interruption, is needed to detoxify."
After saying this, the doctor himself couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Honestly, even he felt like a liar just saying something like that. But the truth is just that ridiculous!
Wei Jia frowned deeply, remaining silent, seemingly lost in thought.
Granny Fang stared at the doctor, then at A-Jiu, her expression a mixture of disbelief and something else entirely.
Only Madam Min Qiao quietly relented after hearing the doctor's words.
It's good that there's hope!
It's just money, she has plenty!
Although it was indeed a bit expensive, she was happy to spend it on Ajiu!
If it could truly save Ajiu's life, she would be happy to give up all her possessions.
Well, it's better to spend the money on Ah Jiu than to spend it on the Min family like we did in the last life!
"Then please write down the prescription for me, doctor. Also, please check what medicinal herbs you have on hand at your clinic. I'll have someone go back with you to get them later."
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in shock.
Wei Jia's pupils suddenly contracted, and she looked at Min Qiaoshi in disbelief.
Even Granny Fang stared wide-eyed, wanting to offer some advice, but ultimately said nothing.
The old doctor was so shocked by Min Qiao's words that he almost lost his balance and fell to the ground.
What did he hear? This old lady actually wanted him to prescribe a medicine!?
This girl looks like a servant girl, not a young lady from the manor! Why would this old lady be willing to spend so much money to detoxify her?
Moreover, this prescription is not something that can be effective in a short period of time; it requires a full year and thirty-six doses of medicine, which costs a whopping thirty-six hundred thousand taels of silver!
Good heavens, who can afford to eat this?!
The insidious thing about this poison is that even though you know how to cure it, you simply can't cure it!
Even if someone could afford it, I doubt anyone would be willing to spend such a large sum of money to save a life!
Once Madam Min Qiao made her decision, Wei Jia and Granny Fang couldn't stop her. A Jiu did try to dissuade her, but Madam Min Qiao was determined, and no amount of persuasion could change her mind.
The doctor wrote down a prescription, accepted the consultation fee, and left.
Madam Min Qiao instructed Ayi to check her private treasury. If she remembered correctly, her treasury should contain a considerable amount of precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng and deer antler. Any herbs not found there, she would send someone out of the manor to purchase. In short, she would first gather enough medicine for Ajiu, and then continue collecting herbs.
With the instructions given, everyone felt relieved.
However, after telling Ah Jiu's story, the real problem was yet to come.
Madam Min Qiao then got back to the point: "You said that when you went to teach Zhao Zhiheng a lesson, you happened to run into someone trying to assassinate him? And then you even saved his life?"
“Yes.” Ajiu nodded solemnly. “I was afraid that if Zhao Zhiheng died, the Grand Madam would be in trouble, so I took action.”
“You did the right thing. We had a disagreement with Zhao Zhiheng during the day, and then he got into trouble that night. It’s inevitable that people will think too much.” Madam Min Qiao nodded in agreement.
Granny Fang said angrily, "Who is trying to smear us? Why can't they stand to see the Madam doing well? They keep trying to discredit her!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Min Qiao was immediately taken aback.
Ever since her rebirth, it seems she has been constantly smeared, slandered, and targeted, as if she were some heinous villain, with all sorts of bad things being pushed onto her.
The reason for breaking off the engagement was that if she hadn't disregarded the reputation of the Marquis's mansion and herself and clarified things in public, she would have been the one to take the blame!
Min Hui's marriage was also fraught with difficulties. Some said she was unkind for delaying the marriage arrangements, while others said she was jealous and wouldn't allow Min Hui to marry the Earl's daughter.
Even the division of the family property became evidence of her seizing control of the Marquis's mansion. Even the later rumors that Min Hui wasn't the old Marquis's biological son were ultimately fabricated as lies she made to drive Min Hui out.
She had never paid attention to it, thinking that these rumors arose from different events and varied from person to person, and that they were not related to each other.
But now that I think about it, is that really the case? In just three months, she has been attacked by rumors several times. Is it really just a coincidence?
If Ah Jiu hadn't stumbled upon the assassination attempt by chance, she would have been thrust into the spotlight once Zhao Zhiheng died.
When that time comes, and everyone combines that with the previous rumors that were detrimental to her... even the censor will probably be unable to sit still.
Whether she can keep her title is another matter entirely!
Thinking of this, Min Qiao felt a chill run through her body.
Who is behind this, stirring things up, and who is targeting her?
She's just a useless old woman. Shouldn't the target be Min Rong and Madam Wu?
Min Rong is the Marquis of Xuanping! Lady Wu is the Marquis of Xuanping's wife! It's impossible for me to be in this position!
Feeling uneasy, Madam Min sent someone out to inquire about news from Grand Secretary Zhao's residence.
Although the assassination attempt failed, the blame will certainly be leveled against her.
This is Min Qiao's opinion.
However, the maid who had been gathering information returned and reported that an assassin had indeed appeared at Grand Secretary Zhao's residence last night, and the commotion was quite significant, alarming all the neighbors.
When someone came to inquire, the Zhao family said that it was a farce staged by their young master, Zhiheng, in order to avoid being sent back to his hometown.
It is also said that Grand Secretary Zhao was furious and had his things packed overnight. This morning, as soon as the city gates opened, Grand Secretary Zhao had Zhao Zhiheng and his mother sent out of the city together.
Upon hearing the news from the maid, Madam Min secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Regardless of who carried out the assassination, at least Grand Secretary Zhao did not fall for the trap.
The fact that the Zhao family was able to suppress the matter so perfectly shows that Grand Secretary Zhao did not suspect her, nor did he intend to confront the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion.
But what Min Qiaoshi couldn't understand was still the same question: who exactly did the assassination?
Can such an obvious frame-up really succeed so easily?
If we fail and are exposed by Grand Secretary Zhao or her, aren't we afraid of offending both of them at the same time?
***
Just as Madam Min was racking her brains trying to figure it out, Grand Secretary Zhao had already requested permission to enter the palace.
However, the person Zhao Grand Secretary met in the palace was not Emperor Xiaozhao, but his "youngest daughter," Consort Zhao, Zhao Yan.
"Father has arrived." Before Grand Secretary Zhao could approach and pay his respects, Consort Zhao had already hurried to greet him.
Grand Secretary Zhao avoided Consort Zhao's outstretched hand and bowed respectfully, saying, "This old minister greets Your Highness, Consort Zhao."
The attitude was respectful yet distant.
Zhao Yan also dropped her pretense, her smile vanished, and she turned back to her seat, looking at Grand Secretary Zhao with a mocking gaze: "Grand Secretary Zhao, did you come here because of what happened last night?"
Grand Secretary Zhao's face darkened. "So it really was you who sent someone to assassinate Zhiheng!" His tone was certain, without the slightest doubt, as if he had known the answer all along.
Zhao Yan smiled and said slowly, "It's me."
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