The Family Reunion

Feeling a bit bored the next day, Tan Xiuying suddenly remembered an urgent task. She quickly instructed Cai Ying and Shao Liu to retrieve books on herbs and poisons from the book storage room.

After some time, they returned with a stack of books with their covers coated in thick layers of dust. This indicated that these books were rarely touched or even read by anyone.

During the day, Tan Xiuying devoted her time to poring over a pile of ancient books. In this situation, searching for something so uncertain was as challenging as finding a needle in a haystack.

During the Han Dynasty, philosophy, social norms, and religious beliefs played a crucial role in shaping the practice of ancient Chinese medicine. Numerous sects and religions emerged or were established during this period. Additionally, books delving into ancient Chinese history were written, and the quality of medical texts improved with the growing number of written records about medical methods.

During the Han Dynasty, numerous emperors sought after medicinal herbs or elixirs that were believed to grant immortality. This pursuit led to the development of various sects and religions that delved into alchemy to create elixirs of immortality. The quest for the elixir of immortality can be considered as a precursor to the development of Chinese medicine.

In ancient Chinese medical books, there was an extensive list of medicines derived from plants, animals, and minerals. Each drug was categorized into one of three groups.

The first category included drugs that were considered non-toxic and have an invigorating effect to maintain vitality or prolong life. One of the most well-known herbs in this category was ginseng.

The second category included drugs that were used to prevent disease and restore vitality. However, the medicines listed in this category contained certain herbs which can sometimes be toxic and should be used with caution for certain ailments.

The third category included drugs that were considered toxic with side effects, and were specifically used for therapeutic purposes to treat disease.

Ancient records showed that during the Han Dynasty, the most common medical treatments included acupuncture, plasters, and medicines. Among these, medications were the most frequently used, while acupuncture and plasters were used more rarely. Medications were administered in three forms: powdered drugs, medicinal herbs, and pills.

Apart from studying and recording important information about ancient medicine, Tan Xiuying was also intrigued by the knowledge of poisons. She came to the firm conclusion that behind every poison, there must be a story of hatred, regret, betrayal, and deception.

Poison became the weapon of choice in ancient Chinese history. In fact, many Chinese emperors used poison to eliminate their rivals. Poison was preferred as it left no traces, providing a swift and discreet means of killing.

In ancient China, rulers seeking to eliminate enemies covertly would often resort to poisoned herbs as a deadly method. The ancient Chinese were highly skilled in the use of various poisonous substances found in nature for such purposes. Chinese mythology even mentioned the use of the poisoned feather of the mythical bird named "zhen" to create the perfect poisoned wine, showcasing the intricate knowledge of poisons in those times.

Some of the poison ingredients used in ancient times had well-known names, and they were often associated with deadly effects. Arsenic, gut-destroying potion, red-crowned crane, and triple laughter death powder were among the notorious poisons known for their lethal nature.

These substances were used by individuals seeking to inflict harm on their enemies or rivals, and their use added an element of danger and intrigue to the ancient Chinese society.

During ancient times, there were numerous poisonous plants readily available in the environment, but one of the most intriguing and deadly ones was the poison cypress or hemlock. This particular poison was especially dangerous as it attacked the central nervous system and was challenging to detect due to its resemblance to celery leaves in appearance.

When ingested, this poison caused convulsions, leading to the contraction of facial muscles, tightly clenched jaws, and tense muscles of mastication. The effects of this poison were severe and often led to a painful and agonizing death, making it a potent weapon in the hands of those seeking to eliminate their enemies discreetly.

What was even more surprising was that this deadly poison could cause a peculiar and horrifying effect on the victim's body – a cynical smile in the form of a terrible grin. This description matched exactly what Tan Xiuying's grandmother had mentioned about the real Tan Xiuying's late mother's condition before her death.

The similarities between the symptoms and the poison's effects intrigued Tan Xiuying, and she couldn't help but wonder if this poisonous plant had any connection to her mother's mysterious illness and death. The puzzle of the First Madam's tragedy seemed to be slowly unraveling, and she was determined to dig deeper into this dark chapter of her family's history.

Cai Ying and Shao Liu stood by, observing their young lady engrossed in flipping through the pages of each book. Concern was etched on their faces as they gently advised. "Third Miss, it's almost midnight. You should take some rest."

"I'll rest in a moment. I'm not sleepy yet, and I've spent a long time studying this stack of books," Tan Xiuying replied as she continued her focused examination.

"Third Miss, what is it that you're searching for exactly?" Cai Ying inquired.

"I'm delving into the realm of medicine and studying the most lethal poisons as well."

Cai Ying and Shao Liu exchanged puzzled glances. "Why would you want to study such things, Third Miss?" Shao Liu questioned with a frown.

Tan Xiuying looked at her two maids intently without responding to their question. "Tomorrow, could you gather information about the symptoms my mother experienced before she died?"

The two maids quickly understood their young lady's intention. "Do you suspect that First Madam's death was not natural?" Cai Ying asked.

Tan Xiuying nodded. "It's just a temporary suspicion. Please keep it a secret and don't let too many people know, including Grandma and Marquis."

Cai Ying nodded firmly. "Very well, Third Miss. Leave that to me. I'll ensure the secrets are well-guarded, and I'll discreetly investigate without raising any suspicion."

"Alright. You both should get some rest now."

The two maids exchanged puzzled and worried glances, trying to make sense of the unusual behavior of their young lady, who seemed to be frantically going through the books she was reading. It was unlike her usual self.

Despite their reluctance, both of them left the room and returned to their own quarters.

***

The next afternoon, the residence buzzed with excitement as Marquis Jiujiang's entourage arrived from the Imperial Capital.

Tan Xiuying's intuition proved right. The moment their group set off towards the Imperial Capital, her messenger managed to reach them. As soon as Marquis Jiujiang received the news, he wasted no time and swiftly commanded the entire entourage to return to the residence without delay.

They reached Jiujiang at dusk, the time when the day cast a golden glow across the approaching night sky.

Upon reaching the residence, Marquis Jiujiang wasted no time and ordered the maids to summon Tan Xiuying.

Cai Ying hurriedly found Tan Xiuying and delivered the news.

"Third Miss, the Marquis has arrived."

Tan Xiuying, who was engrossed in reading an ancient herbal collection, quickly closed the book and furrowed her brows.

"How's his mood? Is he angry or happy?"

"I couldn't figure it out, Third Miss. He looks tense and serious. It's hard to tell what he's feeling."

"Then, what about Madam?"

"As usual, Third Miss. She looks calm and always has a nice smile."

"A fox is paying homage to a chicken."

Cai Ying and Shao Liu exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn't quite understand what she meant by the saying. It seemed to be a cryptic expression, and they were unsure of its meaning. Afterall, they were used to their young lady's peculiar sayings and knew better than to question her further. Instead, they maintained their composure and waited for further instructions.

Tan Xiuying felt a bit bored herself, so she thought, why didn't she go out and see the surprise her stepmother had prepared for her? It might be interesting.