The Marchioness of Jinyang—Dominic Zhai’s cousin—wasn’t as stunning as Elaine Jiang, but her aura was something else entirely. No seductive beauty could compare to the quiet strength she radiated.
She was firm, composed, and graceful. Even when unwell, she refused to receive guests in her bedroom, instead sitting upright in the main seat, her face showing signs of illness but never losing her gentle smile.
A true noblewoman and household matriarch.
Now Serena Feng finally understood the saying: marry a virtuous wife. The Marchioness of Jinyang's first impression was that of someone perfect for both family and household.
After a brief introduction, the Marchioness spoke up: "Then I'll trouble Doctor Feng. My health keeps fluctuating."
Her voice was gentle, almost intimate, as she extended her thin wrist. Serena’s eyes widened—how could a noblewoman be this frail? There had to be a story behind it. But the Marchioness just smiled, as if none of it mattered.
Serena quickly composed herself and placed her left hand on the Marchioness's wrist.
Serena knew how to take a pulse. Recently, while teaching Simon Sun Western medicine, she'd also picked up some basics of traditional medicine from him. If she couldn't handle the four classic diagnostic methods, she'd be a fool.
But... the pulse was steady and strong. It didn't feel like she was sick at all.
Serena's expression grew increasingly grave. Everyone in the room watched her, not daring to even breathe. The Marchioness remained serenely composed, while Elaine Jiang appeared more and more anxious.
As soon as Serena withdrew her hand, Elaine Jiang immediately asked, "Doctor Feng, how is my cousin-sister?"
Serena glanced at her but did not reply.
Why was Elaine Jiang so anxious? Was it concern? Serena didn't see concern—she saw fear and anxiety.
Since that's what she wants to hear, I'll say it: "The Marchioness is in good health and just needs rest."
Elaine Jiang visibly relaxed, her face lighting up with joy. "Cousin-sister, I'm so glad you're all right!"
"Thank you for your concern, cousin," the Marchioness replied with her usual gentle, measured smile.
Serena could tell the Marchioness was a woman of strong character. Remembering that Dominic Zhai mainly wanted her to evaluate Elaine Jiang, Serena decided—out of respect for Dominic—to find a chance to use her Smart Med-Pack.
Unable to identify the illness through traditional means, Serena could only place her hopes on the Smart Med-Pack.
Unable to figure out the illness through traditional methods, Serena could only rely on her Smart Med-Pack now.
With her medical expertise, Serena was certain there was something wrong with the Marchioness of Jinyang. Just as the Marchioness was about to see her guests out, Serena spoke up: "Madam, might I see your young son or daughter?"
She could tell from the Marchioness’s body that she had given birth before.
"I have a son," the Marchioness replied. She knew Serena was invited by Dominic Zhai and wouldn’t embarrass her, and as the mistress of the house, she wouldn’t show dislike even if she felt it.
"In that case, would you mind letting me meet him?" Serena winked at the Marchioness, who looked puzzled.
Why did the heir want to see her son? But everyone here was clever—though they wondered, no one asked. The Marchioness just smiled and nodded. As she was about to send a maid to fetch him, Serena wrote the character for 'jade' on the table.
The Marchioness instantly understood—meeting her son was just an excuse to clear the room. But with Elaine Jiang set to become Dominic Zhai’s wife, could it be...
Whatever the Marchioness was thinking, she still did as Serena asked. Even if Elaine Jiang was unhappy, she wouldn’t dare contradict the Marchioness face to face.
Serena seized the chance to check her Smart Med-Pack’s diagnostic results, and her face instantly darkened.
Chronic poisoning. Unknown toxin.
Once Elaine Jiang left, Serena fell silent. The Marchioness dismissed everyone else, and only then did Serena look at her with deep concern.
The Marchioness felt a chill under Serena’s gaze. When Serena stayed silent for a long moment, she finally spoke up: "Miss Feng, if you have something to say, please just say it."
Serena looked at the Marchioness with sympathy. "Madam, do you know you’ve been poisoned?"
Crash—The Marchioness’s hand slipped; her jade bracelet fell to the floor and shattered.
"Madam?" called the maid outside the door.
"No one is allowed in without my order." The Marchioness clenched her fist, veins standing out as she trembled and asked, "Miss Feng, are you sure? What kind of poison is it?"
"I’m certain, Madam. You’ve been poisoned—chronic poisoning, a small dose at a time. It won’t kill you quickly. As for what kind of poison, I’m sorry, I can’t identify it, and I don’t know how to cure it." The Smart Med-Pack’s research on toxins was limited, and even if it wasn’t, Serena didn’t know how to detoxify.
Gastric lavage? Not a chance. This was chronic poisoning—it had seeped into her whole system.
The Marchioness nodded, her eyes reddening but not shedding a single tear. "I understand. Thank you, Miss Feng."
Serena didn’t say more. She was sure the Marchioness had already suspected something; otherwise, when Serena revealed the truth, her reaction wouldn’t have been shock and anger, but anxiety and dread.
A noble Marchioness, poisoned right under everyone’s nose—and no one noticed. Only her husband could pull that off. The thought made Serena’s blood boil with pity and contempt.
The Marchioness was truly formidable. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, she’d regained her usual composure and asked, "Miss Feng, could you please check my son as well?"
She trusted Serena. So many doctors, even imperial physicians, had failed to find the cause—or maybe they’d found it but were too afraid to say. Only Serena both discovered and dared to speak.
In the end, only her own family could be relied on.
The Marchioness was deeply grateful to Dominic Zhai. If not for him...
Just thinking about what could have happened sent a chill down her spine.
By now, she understood perfectly: the moment she fell ill, her husband’s cousin would rush over to 'nurse' her, taking care of her husband and son.
Stealing her life, sleeping with her husband, snatching her son—how could there be such a vicious woman in the world?
Elaine Jiang soon brought in the little heir. The boy was as fair and delicate as a doll in a New Year painting, but instead of clinging to his mother, he only stuck close to Elaine Jiang.
This wasn’t Serena’s business. After checking the boy and confirming he was healthy, Serena returned to the main courtyard and simply reported that the Marchioness was weak and needed to rest.
The Marquis of Jinyang was beaming now, suddenly all smiles at Serena. But the more she looked at him, the more disgust churned in her gut.
A man who could poison his own wife—Serena wished he’d drop dead and never come back.
"Serena, what exactly is wrong with my cousin?" Dominic Zhai wasn’t as simple as he looked. He’d seen Serena’s face—something was up. As soon as they left the Marquis’s residence, he demanded answers.
"She’s been poisoned," Serena answered bluntly.
"Poisoned? How could she be poisoned? What about all those doctors—are they dead inside? Not a single one could figure it out. Jinyang Marquisate, what a joke." Dominic was furious, ready to turn his horse around and storm back for answers, but Serena grabbed him and stopped him.
"Your Highness, don’t be impulsive. If you go charging in, the Marquis and Marchioness will tear each other apart, and the two clans will end up enemies. Some things shouldn’t be settled like that."
"Serena, that’s my cousin. If it weren’t for me—if I hadn’t come today—no one would’ve ever found out." Dominic was full of guilt. He’d visited Jinyang for selfish reasons...
Dominic’s grip on Serena’s shoulders was so fierce, pain shot through her and tears sprang to her eyes.