Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

In the second mistress's room, the mistress and her servant sat facing each other, the atmosphere so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

The second wife was lying in a rocking chair under the jujube tree in the courtyard, leisurely drinking tea and eating melon seeds.

Her hair swayed in the breeze, and dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating the Second Madam's beautiful yet slightly melancholic face with added charm.

Xiao Cui had just rushed back from outside and was now standing in front of the Second Madam with her head bowed, reporting everything she had seen with her own eyes: "Madam, didn't you tell me to keep an eye on that cook?"

"I just saw that cook sneakily follow Chef Wang into the second master's courtyard; I wonder what she's up to."

The second wife frowned slightly, her slender hand gently stroking the rim of her teacup. After a long pause, she finally spoke: "What is this country bumpkin doing at the second master's place?"

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling quality, like a frozen stream in winter.

Xiao Cui looked up and tentatively asked, "Should we tell the second-in-command or the first-in-command about this?"

The second wife shook her head, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes. "Don't say anything for now. I want to see what this brat is up to."

She paused, then added thoughtfully, "The second-in-command called Chef Wang over; he must be up to something."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui's face showed a disdainful expression: "That cook is really overestimating herself. She actually dared to offend the second-in-command and even dared to beat him with a board. Does she have a death wish?"

She really is a country bumpkin who doesn't know anything. Does she think that just because she can cook a few dishes, the head of the household will protect her?

If you offend the second-in-command, even the first-in-command can't protect you.

"Madam, just you wait and see, that country girl will be in trouble sooner or later!"

The second wife slowly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "The second master loves to show off in front of everyone."

In the entire Tiger Head Stronghold, apart from the chief, he was the one who made the decisions.

Now that he's been humiliated and even beaten by a little girl, it's no wonder he's resentful.

"It's only a matter of time before this village girl..."

"What the Second Madam says is true. What good will come of offending the Second Master..."

Let's just wait and see what happens...

Xiao Cui was all smiles, flattering and fawning.

She put down her teacup and lowered her voice even further: "The second-in-command is ruthless and vindictive; he would never let that village girl go."

Now that he's called Chef Wang over, it's likely that action will be taken soon.

This cook is still a bit naive, except for her quick wit and sharp tongue...

The worst fear is that the chief will force her to become the third wife of Tiger Head Stronghold…

Xiao Cui frowned and asked worriedly, "Madam, is it really that bad?"

The boss didn't say he wouldn't force anyone...

"Shall we wait and see..."

"Let's observe for now and let the second-in-command handle it..."

The second wife shook her head and spat out the sunflower seed shells onto the ground.

Xiao Cui seemed to have thought of something, and her tone suddenly became urgent: "Madam, you haven't given birth to a son or daughter yet."

At least the First Madam has a daughter.

"If that village girl really marries the chief and becomes his third wife, how will you maintain your position here?"

These words struck a nerve with the second wife.

Her gentle features instantly turned sharp, and the teacup in her hand slammed heavily onto the table, making a crisp clinking sound.

The lack of children is her deepest pain.

Although the chief doted on her, in Tiger Head Stronghold, a woman without children was ultimately insecure in her position.

She recalled the First Madam's ambiguous mocking gaze and the whispers among the servants in the village.

The second wife spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice as cold as ice, "Xiao Cui, don't worry, I won't let her have the chance to marry the head of the household."

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Xiao Cui's eyes: "How about we secretly find someone to..."

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

The second wife suddenly laughed, a laugh that appeared eerie and cold in the flickering candlelight: "No need, we don't need to do it ourselves, someone else will."

Xiao Cui suddenly realized: "You mean the second-in-command?"

"shut up!"

The second wife immediately scolded, looking warily towards the courtyard, "How dare you say such things?"

"Walls have ears; what if someone hears us!"

Xiao Cui was so frightened that she immediately fell silent and lowered her head.

The kitchen on the other side.

An hour later, Tao'er and the others had finished preparing the meal.

She divided it into four portions and placed them on four trays.

The first and second wives were placed on one side, while the head of the household and the second head of the household were placed on the other side.

Tao'er was also puzzled as to why the head of the household didn't eat with his two wives.

According to the villagers, it has always been like this: the head of the household only eats together with everyone during festivals or celebrations.

This made Tao'er even more puzzled.

She glanced at the steaming food and thought she had to create an opportunity for Chef Wang.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to endure the cramps in her abdomen that weren't actually there, and bent over to look even more uncomfortable.

"Ah Qi..." she said weakly, gesturing towards the mute Ah Qi, "I'm in so much pain that I'm afraid I won't be able to walk."

This food...

"I'll have to trouble you to deliver this to the chief."

She pointed to two red lacquered food boxes placed side by side on the stove, and then specifically pointed to the one on the left, "Remember, the one on the left is for the head of the household."

The one on the right is for the second-in-command.

The second-in-command is recovering from an injury and can't eat too much spicy food, so his food has less chili.

The head of the household has a strong palate, so he specifically ordered extra chili.

Please don't get them mixed up!

Ah Qi nodded honestly and was about to step forward and pick up the food box on the left.

Tao'er deliberately spoke loudly.

"Oh dear, what's wrong, Miss Tao'er?" Chef Wang put on a fake concerned smile, but his eyes kept glancing at the food box.

"Chef Wang, I don't know what's wrong, I suddenly have an upset stomach."

Tao'er clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain.

Dongkui quickly came over to support Tao'er, her face full of concern, "Wife, what's wrong with you?"

It was perfectly fine just now!

"Sister, where does it hurt?"

Does your stomach hurt?

Ayan rushed over, his face full of anxiety.

Tao'er blinked at them secretly, indicating that she was alright.

The two immediately understood each other, their expressions perfectly synchronized.

"stomachache?

Little Peach, this meal delivery job can't be delayed.

The boss's temper...

And there's more...

Ah Qi is mute. What if he bumps into someone on the road, or the chief asks him a question and he can't express himself clearly? Wouldn't that cause trouble?

"I'll go, it'll be safer!"

Tao'er sneered inwardly, but on her face she showed gratitude and hesitation: "This... how could I possibly trouble you again, Master Wang?"

Aren't you busy over there?

Chef Wang slapped his forehead, then waved his hand, "I'm almost done with the work."

I left the rest to my apprentice to watch over; nothing could be done for a moment.

Delivering food to the chief is important; I'm quick on my feet, I'll be right back.

As he spoke, he walked straight to the stove, muttering to himself.

"It's the one on the left, right?"

"The boss."

"Yes, yes, the one on the left."

Tao'er clutched her stomach and confirmed in a weak voice.

Chef Wang had his back to Tao'er and Aqi, and his figure conveniently blocked the food on the tray to his left.

He subtly twitched his sleeve.

Tao'er had sharp eyes. Although she couldn't see his specific actions, she was certain that the packet of medicine powder had already been put into the chief's food.

A moment later, Chef Wang turned around, preparing to pack the food into a food box.

"Then I'll..." Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly exclaimed in frustration, "Oh no! I just remembered, the lotus seed and lily bulb soup I'm cooking in that pot is for the Second Madam's health. The cooking time is very important, and I really don't trust those clumsy guys to handle it!"

"What if I get sick from staying up too long? The second madam will blame me..."

His face showed just the right amount of anxiety and embarrassment, his gaze shifting between Tao'er and A Qi.

"Miss Peach, look at this..."

Or, why don't you find someone else to deliver it?

I simply can't leave!

He kept apologizing, but his feet darted out of the courtyard like the wind, as if he was really afraid that something might go wrong with his blood swallow.

Tao'er watched his departing figure, a cold smile curving her lips.

She straightened up, her feigned stomach pain vanishing instantly, her eyes sharp as knives.

She walked quickly to the stove and gave Dongkui a look.

Ah Qi tacitly moved to the vicinity of the courtyard gate to keep watch.

Tao'er took down the portion that had been laced with the poison powder and replaced it with a non-poisonous one.

She glanced at the second-in-command's portion, which she was preparing to poison.

That's what she was thinking: if the second-in-command was poisoned to death, then Chef Wang would be the scapegoat, since he was going to kill all three of them anyway.

We'll just say it was Chef Wang who made it, since so many people saw him come over and heard what he said.

He was the first suspect.

But just as she was about to poison him, Ah Qi stopped her. He shook his head at her and gestured with his hand, indicating that it was absolutely forbidden.

Tao hesitated for a moment and ultimately did not poison him, but she would still find an opportunity to ask him why he had stopped her.

However, she still put diarrhea medicine in the second-in-command's food.

This can be explained as gastrointestinal discomfort; there's no need to worry.

After all, everyone else ate it and was fine, so why did he have an issue?

The second-in-command had diarrhea all afternoon, but none of the other masters had diarrhea. He threw a tantrum, and then let it go.

That night, Tao'er waited in the house, and sure enough, in the middle of the night, she heard a cat meowing outside.

She opened the door and quietly slipped out.