We had the bottom part of the lid examined. It was a cruel and sly trick. The slow acting poison was put on the bottom of the lid, and as the medicine boiled within the pot it would recieve contact with the poison which as a result would circulate and permeate my medicine. The mastermind was certainly meticulous and merciless allowing me to pass away in my sleep within one of my many naps.
"Niang niang! One of our recently transferred maid was from Consort Zheng."
"Ah wasn't she the servant girl who caught his majesty's eyes?" I remember Harmony venting to ne about her, how she was a peasant and why his Majesty promoted her from 官女子 to 答应 . She was his hignesses favorite it was said that she had some talent in singing though invisible Harmony is better. Though I heard that she was caught bad mouthing me when I became the favorite of his highness and was demoted and stripped of her luxuries.
"Watch over the girl." I commanded.
"Yes niang niang." Di Lian replied.
And then later in the day when Di Lian had ask Dai Ling 带林 why she was boiling my medicine with an old and broken down pot she replied it's more reliable and tried to stop Di Lian throwing it away.
"Bring her to me."
She was kneeling before me.
"I wanted to... reward you... Since Di Lian reported to me that you were very diligent with your work..."
"It's nothing niang niang, working for you is an honor." She said with an tongue as sweet as honey.
"Now, I know you weren't one of my original maids, so why did your mistress (主子) let you go? Do you miss her?" I casually asked.
"No of course not, my mistress was horrible, and even if she wasn't...I now serve you."
"Well I suppose Consort Zheng isn't the best..." I drawled, and she froze with the blood drained from her face.
"Now tell me... was it your mistress who sent you...Or...? And where did you get the medicine? Tell me and you will get a reward if not... Let's say there will be no way for you to use nail polish to color your nails..." I said whist drinking dragon well tea (龙井茶) as Di Lian went to grab nail pliers. Someone had woke me, some had awoken the sleeping tiger.