Chapter 91: A Ruthless Beating for Shen Zhifeng

Madam Feng’s body trembled violently, like a sieve shaking in the wind. Yet she knew all too well that once such a crime was confessed, she would either be beaten to death or sold off along with her entire family. Still, she summoned the strength to beg for mercy, “Madam, I am innocent! I have no idea what happened, nor did I do anything. You must not abuse your power and punish me unjustly.”

Lady Han let out a cold snort, her eyes reddening at the memory of Qingyun’s agony. “I’ll show you what true punishment is,” she said, her voice icy.

Madam Chen exchanged a glance with Lady Han, understanding how furious she was. Even the gentlest mistress would never tolerate someone giving such cruel drugs to her daughter. She immediately ordered the servants to bring the finger press.

The finger press was a device that clamped the fingers tightly, inflicting excruciating pain. Ten fingers are tied to the heart, and Madam Feng howled like a pig being slaughtered, her painful screams echoing throughout the Warm Jade Pavilion. The maids, witnessing their mistress’s wrath for the first time, all bowed their heads, too frightened to speak.

Madam Feng’s fingers swelled, red and purple, her entire body writhing in agony, but she was held down, powerless to resist.

“Will you confess?” Lady Han asked coldly, staring at her.

Madam Feng kept her mouth and eyes tightly shut, her face smeared with tears and mucus, refusing to utter a single word.

Lady Han ordered Madam Chen, “She has a mouth but refuses to use it. What use is it, then? Pull out all her teeth, sew her mouth shut, and sell her off. And her son and daughter—are they still in the household?”

Madam Chen nodded, “She has one son and one daughter, both working here.”

Lady Han pressed down the sob rising in her throat, her hand trembling as she pointed at Madam Feng. “You have a daughter yourself! Sell them all off! And her daughter—send her to the lowest brothel!”

Hearing that her entire family would meet such a miserable fate, Madam Feng finally broke, crying out, “Madam, I admit it! I’ll confess everything! Please, spare my son and daughter. My daughter is to be married next month.”

Lady Han’s eyes blazed with murderous intent. “Speak! What happened?”

Madam Feng collapsed on the ground, sobbing, struggling to breathe. “The steward by the master’s side gave me a packet of powder, told me to put it in the meat soup today.”

At her words, it felt as if a knife twisted in Lady Han’s heart. She closed her eyes slowly, suppressing the overwhelming hatred within her. “Was the drugged meat soup sent to all the courtyards?”

Madam Feng’s lips trembled, her gaze bleak. “No, only the portion sent to the Warm Jade Pavilion was drugged.”

A long silence settled over the courtyard.

Lady Han composed herself. “Is there an antidote?”

Madam Feng shook her head. “Madam, I only received a packet of powder. I know nothing else.”

Madam Chen could no longer hide her worry. If there was no antidote, would Miss truly never be able to bear children?

Just then, a servant hurried in to report, “Madam, Prince Li has arrived, and he’s brought the divine physician from the Hanging Medicine Pavilion.”

Though she didn’t know why Prince Li had suddenly come, Lady Han was overjoyed. “Quick, invite them in!”

The servant rushed to bring them into the Warm Jade Pavilion.

Si Molin and Lian Rufeng strode into the courtyard. Before they could speak, Lady Han, her eyes red, bowed before them. “Your Highness, is this the divine physician? My daughter…”

“Yes,” Lian Rufeng replied quickly. “Madam, let me see Miss Shen’s condition first.”

Lady Han nodded, immediately instructing Madam Chen to take them to the inner chamber.

Pearl stood by Prince Li’s side. “Madam, when I saw things were wrong, I hurried to ask Prince Li for help. Thankfully, he brought the physician in time.”

“Today’s trouble is all thanks to Your Highness. I will come to thank you in person another day,” Lady Han said sincerely.

Si Molin glanced at Pearl, thinking this maid was quite perceptive. “Madam, don’t worry. Let’s take a look at Miss Shen first.”

Lady Han offered an apologetic smile; she had no mind for hospitality now, nor cared about propriety between men and women, and led Prince Li directly inside.

At the bedside, Lian Rufeng was already preparing silver needles, piercing Shen Qingyun’s acupoints. Seeing her pale, frail face—even knowing it was part of her plan—still stirred a pang of sympathy in his heart. Had he known she would truly hurt herself this way, he never would have agreed!

But no one spoke, fearing to disturb Lian Rufeng’s treatment, all hoping Shen Qingyun’s pain would soon ease.

After some time, Shen Qingyun suddenly coughed up black blood and fainted.

Lady Han stifled her gasp, tears glistening in her eyes, and anxiously asked, “Divine physician, my daughter…”

Lian Rufeng let out a long breath, calmly withdrew each needle, and wiped the sweat from his brow. “Rest assured, Madam Han. The toxins in Miss Shen’s body have been expelled. But the coming days require careful nurturing. I’ll prescribe a formula—give it to her on schedule. I’ll also list things to avoid.”

“Good, good, thank you, divine physician. Madam Chen, take the physician to write the prescription and let him rest.” Lady Han hurried to instruct, then went forward to hold Shen Qingyun’s hand, gazing at her tranquil face.

After a while, she seemed to remember Prince Li was still present, and apologized, “Your Highness, I’m sorry. Today’s events must have neglected you.”

“No matter. It was urgent. I’ll leave now. But Miss Shen was targeted by such a vicious drug—Madam Han must investigate thoroughly to prevent future harm,” Prince Li said, his deep eyes shining with cold light.

A metallic taste rose in Lady Han’s throat. “Thank you for the warning, Your Highness. I will.”

Having received her reply, Si Molin took his leave, unceremoniously dragging Lian Rufeng from his tea cakes as well.

The Warm Jade Pavilion fell silent. Madam Chen quietly asked, “Madam, what shall be done with Madam Feng’s family?”

“Sell them all, and make sure the broker sends them to the lowest places,” Lady Han replied softly, but with a pain that had never been heard before. “Bring me my whip.”

Madam Chen paused, surprised by her mistress’s command, her eyes flickering with hesitation and excitement, but she said nothing.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhifeng heard news of Shen Qingyun’s stomach pain and Madam Feng’s arrest, and broke out in a cold sweat.

How could this be? The drug he used shouldn’t cause symptoms so quickly!

But before he could react, the study door was kicked open, and Lady Han strode in, lashing Shen Zhifeng with her whip.

Barbs on the whip tore a bloody gash across Shen Zhifeng’s shoulder.

He screamed, clutching his bleeding wound, and shouted, “Han, are you mad?!”