Those years when I was Cannon fodder

As Long As the Man Obeys

Chu Yu's smile widened as she reassured her, "Fear not, Mother will surely give her consent."

After arranging the dishes, Chu Yu fetched three small bowls and filled one of them to the brim with delicious bone soup from the pot.

Qingyu reminded her, "Madam doesn't like soup. Miss, you can pour for yourself."

Chu Yu shook her head firmly, "No, that's not the point. I've noticed that Mother takes a sip of soup after every few bites. It's quite bothersome."

"Let us give it to Mother first, fill a bowl for her. It seems that if she has it first, she can concentrate fully on eating later. Just look at me, I'm in such good health now, thanks to that bowl of soup before dinner."

"I see. In fact, miss, you've rarely been ill these past few months. From now on, I'll start having a bowl of soup before meals just like you." Qingyu nodded thoughtfully.

Chu Yu maintained a serious expression, "Exactly! Having a bowl of soup before meals will warm up your stomach and keep you comfortable throughout the day."

"Aunt Qing, I'll call Mother for dinner."

As Third madam sat down at the table, her attention was immediately drawn to the specially placed bowl of soup beside her.

Before she could say a word, Chu Yu spoke eagerly, "Mother, this is my favourite bone soup. I've prepared a bowl just for you. Please try it, mother. Is it delicious?"

"I also helped prepare tonight's dinner."

Third madam smiled warmly, "My dear fish, you are so filial. Not only did you help Qingyu, but you also remembered to serve me a bowl of soup."

Saying so, she scooped some soup with a spoon, took a sip, and praised, "It's truly delicious. Qingyu, you're quite the skilled cook."

Qingyu quickly replied, "It's Miss who assisted me. She has mastered the perfect timing and heat control."

Third madam praised Chu Yu once again.

Deliberately wearing a pleased expression, Chu Yu felt a slight relief. Both Third madam and Qingyu seemed to be behaving normally, showing no resistance to the soup.

Chu Yu held the bowl of soup and began to sip at it slowly.

Since Third madam came from a humble background, she had no objection to having maids like Qingyu at the table and had no strict rules.

After praising Chu Yu for a while, Third madam initiated a discussion about external matters with Qingyu.

While Third madam was confined to this courtyard, Qingyu was free to come and go as she pleased.

Chu Yu ate while listening to their conversation, which ranged from the fluctuating prices of medicinal herbs on the market to the possibility of expanding the courtyard to grow more herbs.

"Our little fish will be five this year. Usually girls get engaged at fifteen and married at eighteen or nineteen. The time will come sooner than we think. We should start saving for her dowry. We couldn't save much before because of our little fish's illness.

Qingyu reassured her, "Madam, please don't worry. Master will surely provide for her dowry."

But Third madam shook her head, "What her father prepares is undoubtedly his intention, but as her mother, I also want to contribute my share."

Chu Yu felt a tinge of unease as they discussed dowries, not because she was shy or anything like that.

After all, she was well aware that in ancient times women had no rights.

In modern times, as long as you didn't interfere with others, who cared if you got married or not?

Apart from her over-zealous parents and various busybodies, no one in her previous life would have urged her to marry.

She immersed herself in the laboratory and lived a happy life, never feeling lonely.

In this life, she had no intention of challenging the social norms. As long as she had the freedom to live as she pleased, she considered herself content.

Marriage?

Wouldn't she be trapped in her husband's family if she married?

What a joke!

As long as the man obeyed her, she didn't care who he slept with or how many concubines he had.

Even if he were a despicable scoundrel like her father, it wouldn't matter.

Once she closed the door, she could continue her research. If any man dared to interfere, Chu Yu wouldn't mind concocting a potion to render him impotent and turn herself into an independent noblewoman.

She wouldn't need to remarry and as a consequance, she might even gain a reputation for virtue.

Of course, just as the man was free to spread his seed, as a woman she had no qualms about being a widow for the rest of her life.

It had nothing to do with love or loyalty; it was simply a matter of convenience.

Third madam and Qingyu exchanged knowing glances as they watched Chu Yu's calm demeanour as she talked about marriage and dowries, showing no signs of embarrassment or evasion.

"She hasn't matured yet."

"When she grows up, she'll understand."

Everyone enjoyed their meal, and when Chu Yu suggested that Qingyu join them at the table in the future, Third madam did not refuse.

Instead, she took Qingyu's hand, who seemed anxious and uncomfortable, and said, "I feel lonely tending to these medicinal herbs every day. Think of it as keeping me company."

Qingyu agreed upon hearing this.

Chu Yu smiled and said, "With Qingyu's presence, the table will be more lively.

For Chu Yu, the more people who dined with her, the better.

That way, she could eliminate the possibility of being poisoned by the food.

Especially since the individuals dining with her had aroused her suspicions, Chu Yu couldn't be happier.

Come on, let's harm each other.

...

Chu Yu had assured her not to worry. Three days later, Nanny Xu finally handed her the prescription she had obtained from Doctor Xu.

Chu Yu compared it and discovered that the prescription was indeed missing one ingredient, the purple wisteria.

It wasn't because of her analysis of the medicinal properties.

Cautiously, Chu Yu asked, "Nanny Xu, have I always used this recipe?"

Nanny Xu didn't suspect anything and replied, "Yes, Third Miss. Since you were born and diagnosed with a congenital deficiency, Doctor Xu has changed several prescriptions for you. But after you turned three and your health improved, you've been following this particular prescription".

"Did Doctor Xu ever suggest examining me or changing the prescription?"

"No, Third Miss. Two months ago, when you had a high fever and fainted, Doctor Xu examined you, and the Master inquired about changing the prescription. However, Doctor Xu said that there was no need, that your body was still too weak and needed to be nourished by this formula."

Chu Yu's heart sank. If the prescription was real and Nanny Xu wasn't lying...

In other words, Doctor Xu hadn't detected the poison in her.

How was that possible?

She trusted her own judgement, and the residue buried under the purple leaf tree was the most obvious proof.

"Is Doctor Xu our family's regular doctor?"

Chu Yu inquired further.

Nanny Xu shook her head. "No, Third Miss. After he left the Imperial Hospital, he returned here and opened a medical clinic. He's always busy and doesn't have time to stay in our household."

"The Master arranged for him to visit our house every six months for a routine pulse check."

"Actually, it is Doctor Zeng who usually conducts pulse checks in our house, once a month."

Chu Yu was taken aback.

"Then why haven't I seen Doctor Zeng?"

Nanny Xu glanced hesitantly towards Third madam's room.

"The madam doesn't trust Doctor Zeng. She insists that he was bribed by the Second Madam and doesn't wholeheartedly treat the Third Miss. She even claimed that he might secretly tamper with the prescriptions, which made Doctor Zeng furious and compelled him to leave."