Mixing a little thickener can turn the soup into sludge.

Chapter Title: 022 Even a Thickening Agent Can Turn into Filth

The kitchen in the rear of the Magistrate’s residence.

Little Cui, the maid, carried a plate of braised pork and asked, “Madam, should the arsenic be sprinkled on the meat or on the plate?”

Lady Lin, the Magistrate’s wife, took both the plate and the vial of arsenic. “Of course, on the meat! Once that girl eats, we’ll dump the meat and replace it with a fresh, harmless portion. By then, even if someone comes to investigate, they’ll find no trace.”

“Madam, you are truly wise.”

“That’s enough flattery. Hurry and follow me to deliver it,” Lady Lin placed the plate back onto Little Cui’s tray. “If we’re late and she’s already eaten her fill, all our effort will be wasted.”

Meanwhile, in a small private dining room, Fang Rulai was busy stuffing dishes into her sleeves.

“This pig’s trotter is tender enough; the abstainer from meat will love it, so I’ll take it. The sweet and sour pork is sugary enough; the sugar abstainer will like that, so I’ll take it. The fish soup—well, the soup abstainer loves soup but there’s no way to stash it, so I’ll grab a chicken drumstick instead. And these duck feet, and…”

As she tucked food away, footsteps approached outside. Fang Rulai hurriedly smoothed her collar and pretended to pop a piece of fish head into her mouth.

The moment she did, the curtain lifted. Lady Lin entered, followed by Little Cui carrying the braised pork. Seeing Fang Rulai eating so heartily, Lady Lin was delighted.

“Miss Hong, this is the chef’s specialty—braised pork. Everyone who’s tasted it says the aroma alone is enough to make them swoon,” Lady Lin instructed Little Cui to set the dish on the table.

“Oh, really? Then let me have a smell first,” Fang Rulai, cheeks puffed, reached eagerly for the plate.

But as soon as her hand touched the edge of the plate, the smile vanished from her face.

Lady Lin’s heart skipped a beat; she asked cautiously, “What’s wrong?” Could she have noticed something?

Fang Rulai looked back impassively. “Lady Lin, you’re absolutely right. The scent alone makes me feel as if my soul is drifting away.”

“Oh? Hahaha.” Relief flashed across Lady Lin’s face. “Well, what are you waiting for? Taste it.”

She personally took a piece from the top with her chopsticks, placed it in a small dish, and handed it to Fang Rulai. “Here!”

Fang Rulai stared intently at the braised pork, recalling what the plate had just told her: arsenic, was it? After the harmless dishes lowered her guard, now came the main event.

Seeing her hesitate, Lady Lin urged, “Don’t just smell it; tasting is even better.”

“Yes, yes,” Fang Rulai replied, reaching for the dish.

A flicker of triumph flashed in Lady Lin’s eyes as she moved her hand forward. Fang Rulai, grinning broadly, extended her hand.

Just as Fang Rulai’s fingertips touched the dish, she suddenly screamed, “Ah, my stomach hurts!”

At the same time, she flung her arm, and Lady Lin’s dish clattered to the floor.

Lady Lin’s face changed. Fang Rulai’s body slumped, knocking over the entire dining table. Cups, bowls, and plates crashed to the ground, and Fang Rulai fell, clutching her stomach, wailing, “Ah, my stomach hurts, it’s killing me!”

Lady Lin and Little Cui exchanged a bewildered glance: what’s happening? She hadn’t eaten the poisoned food yet.

“Miss Hong—” Lady Lin moved to investigate.

Fang Rulai scrambled up first, clutching her backside and dashed out. “The privy! Where’s the privy?”

Little Cui grabbed her, thinking she couldn’t let the girl