Chapter 22: Retaliation Thwarted

The old man lifted his cloudy eyes to glance at her, grinning to reveal a few yellowed teeth. “Young lady, you have an eye for quality. This one’s no ordinary snake—straight from the mountains, one bite and it’s instant death.”

Sheng Xiayi’s heart leapt with joy upon hearing this. Without hesitation, she threw down a few ingots of silver and said coldly, “I’ll take it.”

The old man’s eyes twinkled at the sight of the silver. With practiced ease, he reached in and grabbed a pitch-black snake, its tongue flickering scarlet, then placed it carefully into a small bamboo cage and handed it to her. “Be careful, miss. If you’re bitten even once, not even immortals can save you.”

Sheng Xiayi took the bamboo cage, a faint smile curling the corner of her lips. “No need for warnings. I have my own arrangements.”

She carefully hid the snake in her sleeve, her gaze flickering with a venomous glint as she strode purposefully toward the Residence of the Grand Tutor.

Night had deepened, and the Grand Tutor’s mansion lay in utter silence. The servants had long since retired, with only the lanterns swaying faintly along the corridors, casting a dim, yellow glow.

Silently, Sheng Xiayi slipped into Sheng Xiayan’s courtyard. Holding her breath, she slowly reached into her sleeve, retrieved the bamboo cage, and gently pushed it open, releasing the venomous snake.

“Go…” she whispered, a cold, triumphant smile playing at her lips.

The black serpent flickered its tongue, slithering silently across the green bricks before slipping swiftly into the shadows of the house.

Satisfied, Sheng Xiayi retreated into the darkness, holding her breath as she waited for the terrified screams she was certain would soon echo through the courtyard. She could already envision Sheng Xiayan’s grim fate—his face pale and contorted in agony, struggling in vain, finally succumbing to the venom…

The thought only deepened the hatred burning in her eyes.

But as seconds ticked by, the courtyard remained unnervingly calm, not a sound to be heard.

Frowning, a flicker of doubt stirred within her. What was going on? Had the snake failed to bite him?

Just then—

“Ah—!”

A piercing scream suddenly shattered the night air, jolting the entire Grand Tutor’s residence awake!

Sheng Xiayi froze, then her heart surged with elation. She was about to smile when, in the next instant, her expression stiffened.

No—it wasn’t right. That voice…

Her face drained of color as she looked toward the house. In the distance, one room burned bright with candlelight. Servants rushed inside in a panic, and then a sharp cry rang out over the entire courtyard—

“Help! A snake! The snake bit me!”

It was Sheng Xiangying’s voice!

Sheng Xiayi’s heart sank, darkness clouding her vision.

How could this be? How did the venomous snake end up in Sheng Xiangying’s room?!

She stood there frozen, helplessly watching the entire household thrown into chaos. Servants scrambled, clutching lanterns as they surrounded Sheng Xiangying’s door, cries and wails blending into a tumultuous clamor.

“The young lady has been bitten by a snake!”

“Send for the doctor quickly!”

“Find the snake! Find it now!”

Her fingers clenched the sleeve tightly until they turned white, panic surging through her.

What was going on? She had clearly released the snake into Sheng Xiayan’s room—how had it ended up with Sheng Xiangying?

But she dared not linger on thoughts. The situation was urgent. She had to escape immediately, or if discovered, she would be doomed.

Gritting her teeth, she suppressed her terror and quietly backed away, slipping into the night beyond the frantic crowd.

The Grand Tutor’s residence was restless throughout the night, servants overwhelmed with frantic activity.

The doctor arrived hastily and tended to Sheng Xiangying’s wound, but the poison spread swiftly. Her face was pale, cold sweat beading her forehead, her body trembling in agony, eyes filled with terror.

“Mother… save me… sob…” She wept, gasping for breath, her gaze filled with helpless sorrow.

Madam Hou’s tears fell uncontrollably as she grasped Sheng Xiangying’s hand, soothing her with aching tenderness. “Don’t be afraid, my dear. Mother will save you! Doctor, please tell us—what must be done?”

The doctor wiped sweat from his brow and said gravely, “The young lady’s snake venom is extremely potent. We must administer a special antidote quickly to suppress it, or else the poison will spread with disastrous consequences.”

Madam Hou’s heart clenched, and she asked urgently, “What antidote? Whatever it costs, I’ll pay it!”

The doctor hesitated briefly before replying, “This antidote is exceedingly rare. Only the Divine Medical Pavilion in the capital might have it in stock, but…”

“But what?” Madam Hou pressed anxiously.

The doctor’s expression darkened. “The Divine Medical Pavilion’s antidotes are prized treasures and, even if available, may not be sold easily.”

Madam Hou’s face turned iron-gray, her teeth clenched fiercely. “No matter the price, I must have that antidote! Send word at once—someone must go to the Divine Medical Pavilion immediately!”

The servants hurried off at her command.

Inside the room, Sheng Xiangying lay pale and weak on the bed, her lips tinged blue, eyes unfocused, clearly on the brink of unconsciousness from the pain.

Madam Hou watched her with suffocating anguish, a cold and fierce light flashing in her eyes.

She suddenly turned to the kneeling servants nearby, her voice sharp. “Explain! How did a venomous snake suddenly get into Ying’er’s room?!”

The servants bowed their heads in fear, trembling lest they be implicated.

At that moment, a young maid spoke in a quivering voice. “Madam, I heard… that Third Miss bought a venomous snake on the street tonight…”

Madam Hou’s pupils constricted, her gaze piercing suddenly.

It was indeed Sheng Xiayi!

Her heart sank, but she showed no sign of emotion, quickly composing herself. Turning away, she ordered, “Spread the word that Ying’er has suddenly fallen ill. No one is to speak foolishly. And immediately send for a divine healer—money is no object. The antidote must save Ying’er. Also, the matter of Yi’er buying the snake must not be leaked. Make sure the snake seller never appears again.”

Her voice was steady and imbued with unchallengeable authority. The servants hastened to obey and withdrew.

Madam Hou returned to Sheng Xiangying’s bedside, her heart a tempest of anger and fear.

That foolish Sheng Xiayi! How dare she harm her own sister? Such recklessness!

If the Grand Tutor were to learn of this, Sheng Xiayi would surely face severe punishment, and as her mother, Madam Hou would not escape blame.

Now, the only thing she could do was to protect Sheng Xiangying at all costs. The matter must not escalate, or not only would Sheng Xiayi’s fate be sealed, but her own standing with the Grand Tutor would be jeopardized.

With this in mind, Madam Hou took a deep breath and softened her expression, soothing gently, “Ying’er, mother will take care of you personally. The divine healer will arrive soon. Don’t be afraid—no matter what happens, I will be here to bear it with you.”

She lightly squeezed Sheng Xiangying’s hand, her eyes reflecting a complex mixture of emotions—this time, under no circumstances could she allow Sheng Xiayi to suffer harm.

That was why she needed Sheng Xiangying’s favor, so that if the truth ever came out, Ying’er might plead on behalf of both her and Sheng Xiayi.

Yet in Sheng Xiangying’s heart, there stirred a jealousy toward Sheng Xiayi for having such a devoted mother.