Chapter 85: Interrogating Sang Er
“Miss Sang Er asked me why I came, so I told her.
She said she happened to have something to ask of me, and knowing I was good at making velvet flowers, she asked me to make two petals for her as a sample.
This servant thought that since she had asked for a favor, it wouldn’t be good to refuse her. It wouldn’t take too long anyway, so I followed her to her room.”
“During this time, did the food box ever leave your hands or your sight?” Gong Xu asked her.
“This servant really didn’t think much of it. I put the food box on the table in the outer room and went into the room with Sang Er. I sat down to make the petals for her. She said she wanted to pour me some tea, so she went to the outer room, brewed a cup of tea, and brought it in.
After I finished the petals, I didn’t drink her tea and instead went to deliver the nourishing soup to Concubine Song.”
“Are you telling the truth in every word?” Old Madam Gong asked.
“How would this servant dare to lie? It is indeed as I said. When I entered Sang Er’s room, Mei Er and Granny Yu in the West Courtyard saw me. If Madam doesn’t believe me, she can ask them.”
“Do you know that a potent abortion medicine was mixed into that nourishing soup?” Gong Xu’s eyes were chilling, scaring Mei Zhi so much that she didn’t dare to breathe.
“Second Master, this servant did not know, I truly did not know!” Mei Zhi cried, “I was just delivering a nourishing soup, how could it have harmed someone?”
“Don’t cry for now. I will call Sang Er over to confront you later,” Old Madam Gong said. “You just need to remember to always tell the truth, no matter what.”
“Has Second Madam gone to bed yet?” Granny Xu arrived outside Wen Mingqian’s room with a maid.
“It’s Granny Xu. Our Miss just returned from Concubine Song’s place not long ago and hasn’t rested yet!” Zhang Ma lifted the curtain. “Does Old Madam have any instructions?”
“Old Madam sent us over to ask Miss Sang Er to come over for questioning,” Granny Xu said.
“Is it Granny Xu?” Wen Mingqian asked from inside. “Why aren’t you inviting her in quickly?”
“It is I, but it’s a bit late, and I didn’t want to disturb Second Madam any further,” Granny Xu said with a smile as she entered the room.
Wen Mingqian had indeed not slept yet, but she had already removed her hair ornaments and outer clothes.
“Granny Xu, please sit down quickly. Sang Er, pour some tea.” Wen Mingqian said very politely.
“No need to trouble yourself. Old Madam is also waiting for me to return!” Granny Xu said with a smile. “I came to ask Miss Sang Er, who is in Madam’s service, to come over for a word.”
“Why are you asking Sang Er to come over?” Wen Mingqian asked with a puzzled expression.
“This old servant doesn’t know either, I am merely following orders.”
“Since it is Old Madam who wants to ask her questions, then let her go! Do I need to go as well?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“Second Madam need not go. Please rest quickly! Just Miss Sang Er needs to come with me,” Granny Xu said hurriedly.
“Sang Er, you go with Granny Xu properly. Old Madam wants to ask you questions, so be respectful and don’t anger Old Madam,” Wen Mingqian called out Sang Er’s name to instruct her.
“Yes, Madam.” Sang Er lowered her head, not as lively as usual.
Granny Xu brought Sang Er to Old Madam’s room and saw that Gong Rang, his wife, and Gong Xu were all there. She quickly paid her respects, starting from Old Madam.
“Kneel down. I have something to ask you.” Old Madam Gong was no longer her usual kind self and appeared very stern.
Sang Er quickly knelt down.
“I ask you, did you bring Mei Zhi to your room today?”
“Yes… This servant asked Sister Mei Zhi to help me make two velvet flower petals,” Sang Er quickly explained. “But I didn’t dare to delay for too long.”
“I think making velvet flowers is an excuse, and you wanted to poison her is the truth, isn’t it?” Old Madam Gong suddenly revealed the truth. “Concubine Song had a miscarriage after drinking the soup Mei Zhi delivered…”
Sang Er turned pale with shock and shook her head, saying, “No! Old Madam, this servant did not! This servant would not dare!”
“If you don’t dare, who else would?! Mei Zhi only encountered you on the way, and you even tricked her into your room, leaving the food box outside. Do you think everyone is a fool?!” Gong Xu finally couldn’t hold back.
“Master, this servant did indeed invite Sister Mei Zhi into the room, but I did not poison her!” Sang Er cried out, wronged. “This servant does not have the courage.”
“Sang Er, if you don’t want to suffer, then tell the truth quickly,” Old Madam frowned. “It’s the middle of the night, and no one has the leisure to waste time with you.”
“Old Madam, this servant is wronged…”
“Qiao Yun, slap her!” Old Madam had a maid who did rough work under her, and she was very strong.
Normally, if a servant truly offended Old Madam, she would be the one to slap them.
Qiao Yun stepped forward and, without a word, slapped Sang Er several times. Sang Er’s fair and tender face immediately began to swell.
Consort Song’s miscarriage was equivalent to a death.
Such a serious matter could not be inquired about with gentle words. Although it wasn’t to force a confession through torture, the necessary show of authority had to be given.
“I’ll ask you again, what exactly did you do to that soup?!” Old Madam Gong raised her hand slightly, and Qiao Yun stopped.
“Old Madam… I… I didn’t…” Sang Er covered her face, unable to speak clearly.
“Let me tell you, if you tell the truth quickly, we really won’t torture you. Although you are the daughter of a humble family, it’s clear you haven’t suffered since childhood. Especially this pretty face, it’s truly beautiful. Alas, what a pity…” Old Madam Gong sighed and said, “Go fetch a branding iron. We will brand her face with it. If she is truly innocent, then let Second Master recognize her as his adopted daughter, and our estate will support her for life, as atonement for today’s sins!”
“No! Old Madam, please don’t!” Sang Er was clearly terrified and clutched her face tightly.
“What do you have to say, hurry up and speak! Will you only speak after your face is ruined?” Granny Xu urged from the side. “Old Madam just wants the truth from you.”
“I’ll say it! I’ll say it…” Sang Er broke down in tears. “Don’t brand my face…”
However, with her saying this, Old Madam Gong did not relax at all; her expression became even more somber.
Gong Rang and his wife exchanged glances, their expressions also very difficult.
“This servant… this servant did indeed put something into that bowl of soup…” Sang Er stammered. “But it was just… a little laxative, it wouldn’t cause… it wouldn’t cause Concubine Song to miscarry…”
“Laxative? Who told you it was laxative? And who told you to put it in?” Gong Xu’s hand pressed on the back of the chair, veins bulging.
“It was… it was…” Sang Er hesitated.
“Speak quickly!” Gong Xu suddenly slammed the table, making the tea cups on it rattle.
Sang Er was startled and said tremblingly, “It was Madam… it was Madam… who told me to put it in.”
“As expected! This vicious woman!” Gong Xu was furious. “I must kill her!”
“Where are you going? Sit down first!” Old Madam Gong stopped him. “At your age, you still shout about fighting and killing at the drop of a hat.”
“The full picture of the matter has not yet emerged. We must first clarify everything,” Gong Rang also said.
