"Madam of Prime Minister?" Yang Chuxia raised an eyebrow, "So, you and your partner are working for Madam of Prime Minister?"
Yang Chuxia laughed, "Go ahead, why did Madam of Prime Minister have you poison someone?"
The vendor was stunned; how did he let something like that slip out?
It was over, all over!
Admitting it would mean death, denying it would still mean death. Thinking of his wife and the two sons in the Prime Ministerâs Mansion, if he didnât say anything, they could continue living there; if he did, his sons would surely be kicked out.
Everyone thought Old Third had neither a wife nor children, but that wasnât true. His kids had been sent to the Prime Ministerâs Mansion when they were very young, even his wife went with them.
The Prime Ministerâs Mansion controlled his wife and children, leaving him alone outside to make him do dirty work.
Understanding this clearly, he gritted his teeth and said, "What Madam of Prime Minister? You misheard, how would I know Madam of Prime Minister?"
"And you could catch me, you must have investigated me. Iâm just a loner, no wife or kids."
Yang Chuxia glanced at Mingqiu, who whispered, "This Old Third is indeed alone, neighbors all say he has no wife or children, though some say he has a lover working at the Prime Ministerâs Mansion."
"Really?" Yang Chuxia heard this and whipped down again, "Tell me, whoâs your lover at the Prime Ministerâs Mansion?"
"My lovers are all in the brothel."
"A tough mouth, huh?" Yang Chuxia tossed the whip aside and sneered, "It doesnât matter if you donât talk. When the owner of the Prime Ministerâs Mansion canât protect themselves, letâs see whoâll protect your lover."
After leaving the woodshed, Yang Chuxia said, "Go find out who his lover is. Once identified, have Liu take his brother to recognize them."
Mingqiu then asked, "Master, do you suspect the nanny who went to find Hongyeâs mother is Old Thirdâs lover?"
"Little girl, youâre quite smart, arenât you? With just a word, you grasped the key?" Yang Chuxia smiled, "Old Third acts clever but canât handle fear. He said his wife is at the Prime Ministerâs Mansion; this matter must be tied to it."
"Go ask Old Thirdâs neighbors; surely someone knows who his lover is."
"Yes, I will go now."
Sure enough, within days, Liu found out.
"Master, Liu says Old Thirdâs lover is Nanny Gui, the nanny for Madam of Prime Ministerâs grandson, under thirty. Nanny Gui went to find Old Third yesterday, and Liu and his brother ran into her by chance. Liuâs brother confirmed that Nanny Gui was the one who went to find Hongyeâs mother."
"Hmph, itâs them after all!" Yang Chuxia coldly snorted, "Give some silver to Liu. Have him and his brother keep watch at Old Thirdâs house; Nanny Gui didnât find him the first time, surely sheâll return. Make sure they catch her when she comes again; I want to see what trick the Prime Ministerâs Mansion is up to."
"Yes, I understand."
Afterwards, Mingqiu gave twenty taels of silver to Liu, and he went off joyfully.
Liu and his brother didnât wait long at Old Thirdâs house; the first day Nanny Gui didnât find him, but she returned the next day.
Liu saw Nanny Gui take out a key to Old Thirdâs house, thinking, âOld Third said he didnât know this old woman, but if he didnât know her, how could she have the house key?â