Although the women had their own pools, they were very close together, separated by flowers and shrubs.
Jiang Wan was well-versed in pharmacology and sensitive to the smell of medicines, so she quickly noticed the unusual thing in the petals.
She winked at Biluo.
Moments later, the petals appeared next door.
Gu Yurong was standing by Song Tingyue's hot spring, and the two of them were talking in hushed tones, taking advantage of the sound of the flowing water.
"...Did she notice anything?"
"Everything has been taken care of." Gu Yurong said softly, scattering the flower petals into the pond with her own hands. "Princess, rest assured, by tomorrow, Jiang Wan will be unable to defend herself."
"Well done," Song Tingyue hummed contentedly.
The two talked for a while, and then she suddenly heard some strange noises.
Amidst the swirling mist, before they could even make out anything, they heard Gu Yurong scream.
"Ah—! Snakes, so many snakes!"
"Help! Someone help me!"
The shouts immediately attracted many ladies and young women, and Jiang Wan stood quietly at the back of the crowd.
Four or five long, emerald-green snakes, their bright red tongues flicking out, slowly swam into the water along the walls of the hot spring pool.
Song Tingyue was so frightened that she froze, not even having the strength to stand up and get out of the water.
The women were also terrified, and none of them dared to step forward.
Just as a snake was about to coil around Song Tingyue's leg, a rough hand suddenly reached into the hot spring.
The hand grabbed the snake by its vital spot and slammed it to the ground, killing it instantly.
Jiang Wan squinted at the newcomer.
She was the nanny Song Tingyue brought back from Donglai, and her surname was Xia.
Granny Xia was swift and ruthless, and quickly dealt with the snakes, rescuing Song Tingyue.
This unexpected turn of events terrified Pei Tang, who then urged everyone to leave the hot spring.
It's common to find poisonous insects in the mountains, but it's really strange that so many snakes were attracted at once.
Song Tingyue was already feeling unwell, and this fright seemed to have made her symptoms even worse.
The eldest prince urgently summoned the imperial physician to ensure her safe delivery.
"Looks like I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Biluo looked out the window and said in a low voice.
"That was truly a close call. If the Vice Pavilion Master hadn't switched the items, you, Madam, would have been the one killed."
Song Tingyue's bedroom was brightly lit, with imperial physicians coming and going. Even late into the night, one could hear Pei Xi's anxious and angry questioning.
They spouted the foolish nonsense that if Song Tingyue couldn't be cured, the imperial physician would have to be buried with her.
It's so noisy that it's hard to sleep.
"His trickery backfired and harmed Song Tingyue, so of course he would be furious."
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes.
To her surprise, it was Granny Xia.
She was taciturn and unremarkable among Song Tingyue's servants, but it turned out she was quite capable.
Biluo said, "Donglai is located in a remote area, and there are often ferocious beasts and poisonous snakes. It is normal that the old woman is not afraid of snakes."
"Perhaps," Jiang Wan nodded.
But for some reason, she always felt uneasy.
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