Chapter 23: Pointed Daggers Drawn

  Inside, the four madams let out one after another painful cries, instantly making everyone tense up. It's said that life is like a play, with actors taking to the stage, and indeed, the previous generation was not deceiving me - the sins of this child from their past life were calculated onto their mother's account. In this life, you must take responsibility for yourself! Only the parents and the old lady in attendance were truly tense, while the second madam held a handkerchief with a worried face, but in her heart, she was probably praying that the child would fall instead. The third madam was also anxious, tightly grasping her handkerchief and pacing back and forth. It's understandable, after all - as a concubine-born woman, how could the fourth madam possibly give birth to a child and take her place? Although the two women had always gotten along well. Pang Luo stood obediently beside the fourth madam, looking tense and anxious.

  A pin dropping in the silent hall can be heard, but people's hearts are extremely restless. The painful cries inside were infinitely amplified.

  The imperial physician came out with a regretful face, wiping the blood stains on his hands. The musk had already invaded the mother's body and the child of the fourth wife could no longer be saved. I am also powerless to do anything. I hope that Prince Pang and Madam will restrain their grief.

  How could Fourth Aunt possibly have come into contact with musk? Duke Ping's heavy hand slapped the table.

  The imperial physician said that the four younger sisters' accumulated musk in their bodies over time was what caused the miscarriage. The younger sister knew that she was pregnant and wouldn't dare to touch it, so someone else must have done it on purpose. The second wife carefully observed the expression of Prince Gong's face and said

  Then who would do such a thing? Duke Ping looked at Second Madam and said:

  The second aunt's heart was delighted, but her face showed difficulty and said, "This concubine does not dare to say, what if..."

  You can rest assured that I'm here, and whoever dares to harm my grandson will have to deal with me. The old lady scowled.

  Since the fourth sister became pregnant, she has been pampered and spoiled, and it's inevitable that she sometimes wouldn't consider her husband's feelings. Since the lady punished the fourth sister to reflect on her actions, but heard that the fourth sister still spoke out of turn... The lady sends her a daily dose of medicine to ensure a safe pregnancy, if it were the lady herself, perhaps she wanted to discipline the fourth sister, only the dosage wasn't controlled well...

  Nonsense, I didn't do it. At that time, Master was also present when I punished my sister. How could I possibly harbor jealousy and poison her? Besides, the child of Fourth Sister is also Master's child. Yang Shi hastily said, fearing that Marquis Pang wouldn't trust him.

  Although Mr. Pang and his wife were a loving couple, he also had many beautiful concubines. It was impossible for her not to feel sad when her husband's affections were shared among several people. Looking at Mr. Pang's expression, she saw that he was suspicious of her because of the second madam's words, and her heart sank like it had fallen into an icy pit. Yang Shi forced a smile, but didn't even have the energy to defend herself.

  The second aunt saw the effect, frowning and looking painful: Sister is unhappy, Fourth sister's favor doesn't have to be delivered every day with medicine to calm the fetus for her, this amount of musk may be small, but adding it daily will make this child stupid, how can you bear it, sister.

  How did the second aunt know that there was a problem with this medicine? Pang Luoxue quietly looked at the second aunt, her deep eyes seemed like a dry well, making people feel only endless coolness.

  The four sisters are pregnant, and I'm busy taking care of Yu'er. Because my sister was punished, I didn't visit her or bring anything in, just waiting for the birth to come and congratulate her. I suppose Sanmei is also like this, after all, the lady of the house is the one who gives orders, and without Eldest Sister's command, I wouldn't dare set foot in this courtyard. Erniang felt a sense of satisfaction at this moment, although she had a mind to harm this child, but recently being busy with the matter of Pang Luo Yu, hadn't brought up this plan yet. It was truly heaven helping me, and the great lady made the first move. In her eyes, no matter if it was the lady who did this or not, as long as she could splash this dirty water on her, she would be in trouble.

  The second aunt's words were different, although Mother came every day to send the fetus-quieting medicine, whether or not Fourth Aunt had drunk it was one thing, and whether or not she had put medicine in it was another. The imperial physician is still here, don't slander my mother, why not ask her to take a good look at this fetus-quieting medicine to see if there's anything wrong with it, also not wasting Second Aunt's veiled insinuation. Pang Luo Xue retorted sharply.

  The imperial physician walked to the bedside medicine bowl under the old master's indication, picked it up and sniffed carefully: This is a good fetal calming medicine, but there is a small amount of musk inside, which can't be smelled if not careful.

  Pang Guogong looked at his wife with a pained expression and said: What else do you have to say?

  Yang heard and calmed down, saying: "Thinking of you and me as husband and wife for many years, I was suspected to this extent. I didn't do anything wrong. Master can think whatever he wants." After finishing speaking, she turned her face away and silently wept.

  Although Pang Guogong felt some reluctance in his heart, he thought of his own child and made a heavy decision: Yang Shi, with a ruthless heart and cruel hands, now punish you to the ancestral hall for reflection. The family affairs will be temporarily handled by the second and third elders. You can reflect well and don't come out without my order.

  Looking at the second and third aunts with a smile, Pang Luoxue hooked her mouth coldly and said: "Father, the imperial physician said that this musk is accumulated day by day. Moreover, this bowl of medicine was placed here in the main hall, where there are so many people, anyone could have done it. More importantly, there is no sign of drinking from this bowl of medicine, how can we determine that it was mother's doing? Fourth Aunt just lost her child, if we can't find the real culprit, I'm afraid Fourth Aunt will also be uneasy.

  Pan Luoxue finished speaking, her eyes fixed tightly on San Niangniang. San Niangniang jumped in surprise, lowered her head to think for a moment, and thought that she had been so secretive, Second Miss was just an unmarried young girl, how could she have discovered it? Thinking of this made her feel more at ease, and she asked: "If you know that Second Miss knows it's because of Madame's doing, and you want to make excuses for Madame, then everything must be based on evidence. If Second Miss has no evidence, it's better not to speak nonsense."

  Third aunt, you have a big tone, let me tell you, you are just father's concubine after all. My mother is the legitimate wife of the national duke, and I am the legitimate daughter of this mansion. Even if it's the housekeeper, I am also the rightful master.

  Sister, how can you speak of my mother like that? Although she is a concubine, she is still an elder. You may have been taught by the lady herself, but it doesn't seem like you've learned much about etiquette and propriety. Pang Luo Bing said resentfully.

  Sister is really well-behaved, this is actually scolding the elder sister. I looked at Pang Luo Bing's somewhat guilty eyes, and at just over ten years old, she had already learned to help her mother harm people, it was truly ruthless to climb to that position.

  Alright, stop arguing, I've already made up my mind on this matter. Xue'er, don't say anything more. Duke Pang said with a displeased expression.

  Father's decision may not be correct, Xue Er thought that if her brother came back and knew that their father had wronged their mother, the family would be turned upside down. Xue Er was also thinking for Father's sake. The father wouldn't want to be resented by his son either.

  Xue Er, how can you use your brother to threaten your father? He is so fond of you... If it were not for... Third Aunt's face was full of concern.

  Auntie, are you feeling guilty? Pang Luoxue asked step by step.

  What's wrong with me? Third Aunt was shocked.

  You must be guilty because you are the ringleader.