Honestly, Su Wanwan was smart. Yes, I admit she is a green tea, but still a smart one.
She could see how much they favored me and kept her interactions and actions minimal, doing her best not to act out in order to not anger Mother and Father.
But it seems after the announcement that my recognition banquet is to be held in a week, she got desperate and sloppy.
And the thing about a plan done in desperation? It will always have holes.
And anyone who looks closely enough will always be able to notice them.
That is why, even when I was woken up by the frantic screams of the maid and my mother, I felt no panic.
That is also why, as I watch Wanwan point at me with tears in her eyes asking me why I poisoned her, my expression undergoes little to no change.
"Wanwan, you're still a bit delirious from the poison. Don't make such bold accusations, okay? Just calm down."
"Mama, I only ate the pastries she sent over today before I started feeling dizzy and collapsed. If not her, then who? Because I'm not your biological daughter, you won't even defend me when she tries to kill me?"
I watch this entire play with a blank expression. What a useless act.
My mother can already see through it, and so can the rest of them. My mother's expression changes as she keeps trying to urge her.
Wanwan pushes her hands away from her and gets up with disgust in her eyes.
"The pastries went through various hands. We promise to investigate this matter properly and punish all the appropriate people involved."
"Madam, I took the pastries directly from the eldest miss and delivered them personally to the second miss. I am absolutely loyal to the second miss; there is no way anyone had the chance to poison them. Madam, this humble servant begs for you to see clearly and give my mistress justice."
Due to the spectacle, a large amount of physicians and their apprentices are present. If it spreads that the eldest miss tries to kill the second upon her return, I will never be able to establish myself in high society. And I guess this must be her goal.
My mother is fully aware of this and knows exactly what she is scheming, but she can't just say that—if not, it will ruin her reputation and that of the entire household.
"Madam, this is the box containing the pastries that the second miss had eaten."
The maid handed it over to one of the physicians. He carefully inserted his needles into the pastry and brought them out.
"The needle turned black. There really is poison in it."
The surrounding murmurs are loud and deafening as I see my mother and father wearing complicated expressions.
"Xiao Xin would never do such a thing. This is obviously a frame-up!"
"Ming'er, shut up," Mother snaps at him.
She then turns to the rest of my brothers, who look ready to kill someone, and tells them to leave at once.
I see her scrambling for something to grasp onto once they are gone, but I can see that nothing comes to mind. So I finally decide to step in.
As soon as she sees me step out to speak, her eyes flicker with something I can only describe as worry. Ah, is she worried that I might not be able to defend myself?
It feels quite nice, having a mother who worries. But in this case, she might have to worry about her second daughter.
"You all keep saying these pastries came from my courtyard, but how exactly can you prove that?"
I ask, my voice even, as I turn to the maid. My persona for this scene is the calm, collected, scheming biological daughter who is already three steps ahead.
"What do you mean? All the maids can testify for me."
"Ah, the maids here who all serve the second miss and are totally loyal to her? Of course their words mean something."
I turn to the surrounding maids.
"If any one of you speaks the truth today, you will not be punished alongside the disloyal ones who openly lie against their master."
They all exchange nervous glances as their eyes stay glued to the floor.
Yes. This is exactly what I need—their guilty and wavering faces. The perfect condition for my little surprise to speak up.
"Master, Madam, please forgive me. I witnessed the entire thing. The head maid at second miss's side went to the eldest lady's courtyard and requested pastries, saying they were the orders of the first miss. After getting the pastries, she added something from a brown paper, tossed it in the empty well by the pathway, and then gave the pastries to the second miss."
The murmurs start again, but she isn't even done yet.
"This is the brown paper I recovered. Please examine it."
The physician took it, examined it, and confirmed that the poisons matched.
At that point, my mother finally found her voice.
"Someone get in here and drag this treacherous maid out and beat her until she confesses. Let's really find out who the mastermind behind all this really is."
At that point, Wanwan dropped to the floor and clutched onto my mother's leg.
"Mother, I knew nothing! It was all her. I had no idea. Mama, please believe me. I had nothing to do with all of this."
"If others are blind, do you really believe I am blind as well? Everyone, excuse us. And once the second miss recovers, drag her to the ancestral hall to kneel and reflect properly on how to manage her staff."
Punishing her for not managing her staff properly. Mother is trying to protect her. Truly, feelings cultivated for many years cannot easily be forgotten. But that's okay.
If she behaves, she can stay. And if she doesn't, I'll just have to destroy every bit of affection they hold for her, bit by bit.
---
After the whole spectacle, I return to my courtyard with Xiao Li.
"Xiao Li, you did really well today. Thank you. Gosh, I was so scared thinking you might have failed or something might have gone wrong."
She lets out a light laugh.
"Wow, you had been so calm. I really didn't notice at all."
She drops to her knees and bows once more.
"The eldest miss is my savior who rescued me from that old creep. Being loyal and by her side is the least I could do for you. But despite that, now that I have been revealed, it will be hard for me to be of much use to you against any hidden schemes that may come your way at your recognition banquet. Forgive me for my incompetence."
"I gave you the task of following the head maid, and you performed amazingly well. So worry not, Xiao Li. I always have a backup plan, and I have everything already prepared, no matter what route she decides to take."
Wanwan had bet her entire display today on the fact that I had no one truly on my side. But after my years of experience as an avid reader and watcher of various dramas, it would be stupid of me to not attempt to get loyal maids on my side.
And I also realized the best way to defend against an enemy in the shadows is to have someone in the shadows as well. That is why I never allowed her to serve me at my side.
"Now that things have come to this, just stay by my side from now on. After all, Wanwan might get more desperate now."
Things had been quite boring recently, so I do have to give my little sister my thanks. After all, who else would put so much effort into entertaining me like this?
I am unable to hide the smirk on my face.
"Wan-mei, let's play."