SGEIRS -Chapter 136 A Formidable Player

After saying this, Li Cheng reached for the ink pad and stamped both letters, his movements fluid and confident, without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing this, Nanny Qiao immediately followed suit and stamped hers as well.

With proof in hand, the mother and son were now completely on Meng Jinyao’s side. From this moment on, they were on the same boat—bound to be loyal to her. Otherwise, if they betrayed her and it reached Madam Sun, she would show no mercy.

Meng Jinyao glanced at the fingerprints and a faint smile flickered in her eyes. In a gentle voice, she said, “Nanny Qiao, Steward Li, I look forward to a pleasant cooperation.”

Her expression was calm, her voice warm, appearing very approachable.

Yet Nanny Qiao and Li Cheng felt a flicker of fear. This eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s house—long overlooked, even trampled by servants—was actually a formidable player. Having endured silently for years, now that she had turned the tables, she could ruin the reputation of the Yongchang Marquis’s household. Who knew what storms she might stir in the future?

Nanny Qiao asked nervously, “Eldest Miss, what would you have your humble servant do?”

Meng Jinyao parted her lips and said, “You surely know how my younger brother Chengyu died, Nanny Qiao.”

Her sharp gaze fixed unblinkingly on Nanny Qiao.

Nanny Qiao’s face instantly changed; shocked and stunned, she looked at Meng Jinyao, seeing the faint smile at her lips, and felt a chill run down her spine.

A wind blew in through the window, sending a cold shiver through Nanny Qiao’s body. Her heart raced, thumping loudly in her chest, clouding her mind and scattering her thoughts.

She thought: Only she, Madam Sun, and Cui’er—who died in childbirth after marriage—knew of the eldest young master’s death. How did Eldest Miss find out? No wonder she had gradually distanced herself from Madam Sun, confronting her openly—it was because she knew the truth.

Li Cheng was also a bit dumbfounded. The eldest young master had supposedly died of illness—but perhaps he had been “overpowered” by Eldest Miss.

The next moment, seeing his mother’s face turn pale, disbelief and panic etched in her expression, he froze, then quickly realized: the eldest young master’s death had hidden truths, likely involving Madam Sun. Otherwise, why would Eldest Miss want to target her?

Meng Jinyao glanced at the mother and son, her voice calm as she asked, “Nanny Qiao, did you intervene? From what I know, before I discovered this, only you and Madam Sun knew about it.”

At her words, Nanny Qiao hurriedly shook her head. “Eldest Miss, you are mistaken. I did not intervene. And it wasn’t just me and Madam Sun who knew—there was a third person, a maid named Cui’er who served Madam Sun. She was the one who acted.”

This wasn’t a false claim to avoid blame. Although she had helped Madam Sun with unsavory tasks before, she truly had not taken part in this one. She only knew of Madam Sun’s plan; it was Cui’er who acted with the medicine.

Meng Jinyao studied Nanny Qiao intently for a long moment. Seeing the openness in her eyes, she believed her. Nanny Qiao had truly not acted, but she was a silent accomplice, concealing the truth.

Fearing Eldest Miss would doubt her, Nanny Qiao quickly raised three fingers and swore,
“Eldest Miss, the eldest young master was not harmed by me. If I utter one false word, may I meet a terrible end.”

Meng Jinyao’s expression darkened, and in a cold voice she said, “But you were still a knowing accomplice. However, if you handle this matter well and make amends, I will not pursue your responsibility. How does that sound?”

Cold sweat formed on Nanny Qiao’s forehead. She quickly nodded, “Your humble servant will obey Eldest Miss’s orders without question.”

Meng Jinyao softened her expression and asked, “What about Cui’er?”

Nanny Qiao answered truthfully, “Cui’er died in childbirth after marrying.”

Died in childbirth?

Meng Jinyao’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was no wonder she had been wary—Cui’er, after leaving Madam Sun’s oversight through marriage, was no longer under her control, yet still knew her secrets. Naturally, Madam Sun would have lingering concerns and might have sought to silence her.

Nanny Qiao observed Meng Jinyao’s expression carefully, sensing she understood the truth, and hesitantly added, “It is indeed as Eldest Miss thinks.”

Yes, Cui’er’s death in childbirth was indeed Madam Sun’s doing. Madam Sun had sent many tonics to strengthen her, and foolish Cui’er, believing Madam Sun was showing care and giving her precious medicine, consumed them all—yet the child proved difficult to deliver, and both mother and child perished.

Even recalling it now, Nanny Qiao felt lingering fear. Her mistress was no ordinary woman, yet extremely good to her. When she had been seriously injured while saving Madam Sun, her mistress had spared no expense in providing the best medicine.

If Madam Sun had wished to silence her back then, she could have let her die from her injuries. Thus, Cui’er and Nanny Qiao were treated differently in her mistress’s eyes, which explained why she had willingly continued serving her.

Meng Jinyao was unsurprised, smiling slightly, “It’s normal for Madam Sun to do such things.”

Nanny Qiao, curious, asked, “Eldest Miss, the eldest young master’s matter was extremely secret. How did you come to know of it?”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “Never mind how I know—what matters is that I do.”

Nanny Qiao was stunned into silence, not daring to ask further. But inwardly, her curiosity gnawed at her. Eldest Miss had gradually distanced herself from Madam Sun at a young age—how had she learned the truth then?

After a moment, Nanny Qiao asked, “Eldest Miss, do you intend for me to step forward and expose Madam Sun’s crime against the younger son?”

Meng Jinyao countered, “Do you have evidence that she harmed Chengyu, Nanny Qiao?”

Nanny Qiao looked troubled. “Eldest Miss, back then I could have provided some clues and traced the matter. But now, after so many years, all evidence has disappeared.”

Meng Jinyao let out a soft laugh. “In that case, why would I have you accuse her? Without any proof, what use would it be? With no evidence, it would be easy for her to turn it back on us.”

Nanny Qiao was taken aback, then asked, “So what would you have me do, Eldest Miss?”

Meng Jinyao’s smile faded. Her expression grew serious, her gaze sharp. Slowly, she said,
“Nanny Qiao, you are an expert in fragrance. You should know which scents can induce hallucinations.”

Nanny Qiao understood immediately and looked at her in surprise, “Eldest Miss, you mean…”

“Use it on her,” Meng Jinyao said with a slight nod. She then added, “As for the rest, I will have others handle it. But I need Nanny Qiao’s cooperation.”

For Nanny Qiao, this was not difficult. She immediately agreed, “Eldest Miss, rest assured. I will ensure everything is done properly.”

Li Cheng, hearing only parts of the conversation, still understood: Eldest Miss intended for his mother to use a hallucinogenic fragrance on Madam Sun. His mother, skilled in scents, would have no trouble with this. The task would be easy—though he still did not know what Eldest Miss would require of them next.

After a moment, he timidly asked, “Eldest Miss… what about the six thousand taels?”