The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 48: Chapter 048 I Am the Wicked Older Sister (Part 3)

He Tian’s mother came from the noble Lanling Wang Family, a clan with centuries of heritage, always harboring some peculiar legacies.

Among her dowry were several secret recipes.

One of them was rumored to be the ”infertility soup.”

Whether male or female, anyone who drank this Medicine Soup would find it very difficult to conceive thereafter.

He Tian, after much struggle, finally had a trusted old maid gather the required herbs stealthily and prepared the soup to give to He Yi.

However, something went wrong somewhere, and not only did He Yi not drink the infertility soup that night, but she also caught He Tian red-handed.

Facing Duke Wei, He Yi vehemently accused He Tian—

First, she had always treated He Tian as her own sister, never having the intention to usurp her husband.

Second, although she admired Duke Wei, she saw him only as an idol or brother-in-law.

Third, if she truly were to marry Duke Wei as a subsequent wife, she would take good care of Brother Yuan and not plot so wickedly like her sister!

He Yi spoke passionately, tears streaming down like rain on pear blossoms.

She was naturally beautiful and, lying sickly in contrast to the withered He Tian, she seemed like a benevolent little fairy.

Duke Wei had always treated He Yi courteously and, although he was aware of the plans of He Tian and the He Family, he still regarded He Yi, almost ten years his junior, as a little sister.

Yet, watching He Yi question He Tian politely yet firmly, tears mixed with smiles, softness combined with resoluteness, Duke Wei felt a slight tug at his heartstrings.

Unaware at the time, his heart was filled with pity and guilt for He Yi.

Alas, in the end, He Yi was the most innocent.

It was He Tian and the Marquis Yongchang’s Mansion’s idea to marry He Yi to her brother-in-law.

He Yi, a young and beautiful noble lady, could have easily married an unmarried nobleman from the Capital City.

Had it not been for He Tian’s schemes and the calculations of the Marquis Yongchang’s Mansion, He Yi would not have had to demean herself in this way.

Marrying a man ten years her senior, already burdened with a legitimate eldest son and a widower, was miserable enough for He Yi.

She had never expected He Tian to go so far, so far... As husband and wife, Duke Wei could not speak too harshly to his wife.

Still, depriving a woman of her right to motherhood was too excessive for He Tian.

Even though Duke Wei deeply loved his wife and pitied her severe illness, he could not condone her actions.

Fortunately, the grave mistake was prevented and did not lead to a tragic outcome.

However, this could not erase the sins of He Tian!

But, but... seeing how He Tian had already withered to merely skin and bones, her eyes deeply sunken, hair falling out, and barely breathing, she looked practically like a corpse.

Faced with the dying He Tian, Duke Wei truly could not voice too harsh a reproach.

He could not even punish He Tian, to provide innocent He Yi the justice she deserved.

Duke Wei thought, perhaps he should compensate her in some other way.

Silver, land, shops?

Or, perhaps with He Yi’s consent, by marrying her into the Duke’s Mansion eventually, to treat her well and love her, to make her a true Duchess!

”... Sister, I truly owe you an apology!”

Just as Duke Wei contemplated how to compensate He Yi, the exposed and nearly dying ’He Tian’ finally spoke up from her sickbed!

Duke Wei and He Yi both looked towards her.

Facing their gaze, ”He Tian” struggled to muster a smile, a smile filled with both regret and a hint of relief.

Relief?

Duke Wei was somewhat stunned.

Could it be that his wife did not wish to harm her own cousin and thus, upon being exposed, not only remained calm but also showed relief?

Thus, his wife wasn’t utterly malicious after all.

Was she just too worried about Brother Yuan and wanted to eliminate all dangers for him before she died?

At the same time, she also cherished the sisterly affection she shared with He Yi, having struggled many times before finally making this decision.

Even so, she must have had her doubts.

Otherwise, given her meticulous and careful nature, her plan should not have had such a major flaw that a young girl like He Yi, who had not yet left her family home, could expose it in public.

It is undeniable that He Tiantian’s acting skills had improved drastically, a single glance from her was enough to provoke endless speculations from Duke Wei.

He Tiantian had now merged with He Tian’s body and absorbed all her memories.

She is now He Tian, a pitiful yet detestable woman who is gravely ill but cannot let go of her only son!

But, He Tiantian did not want to die.

What a joke, neither the original nor herself would likely wish to die.

Entrusting her son to her cousin, especially when the cousin was a kind and gentle good person, was also unacceptable!

It’s better to rely on oneself.

For a child, nothing can replace a mother.

He Tiantian was fortunate that she had learned Medical Skill in her first world, and although she did not continue to work as a doctor in her second world, her frequent travels abroad had exposed her to the world’s most advanced medical technologies.

Therefore, she had some confidence that perhaps she could extend the lifespan of this body.

Since she wanted to survive, it was essential to improve Duke Wei, her husband’s favorability.

After all, He Tiantian would continue to live in the Duke Mansion in the future.

”Come here!” He Tiantian struggled to sit up.

However, her body was too weak to even manage such a simple movement.

Duke Wei hurried forward, supported He Tiantian with his hands, carefully helped her sit up, and placed a pillow behind her back.

He Tiantian’s confidante maid, who had been caught, was now tremblingly kneeling outside the door.

Hearing He Tiantian’s summons, the maid felt a flicker of hope and forcibly broke free from the grip on her arm, stumbling as she ran in.

”This old servant is here!” The maid’s voice was tinged with a sob and tremble.

She was afraid, yet amid her fear, there was a glimmer of hope.

As a loyal servant, she had prepared to sacrifice herself for her mistress.

But if there was a chance to live, who would choose to die!

Suddenly feeling that this time she might not have to die, the maid’s spirits lifted upon hearing her mistress’s call.

”Bring that bowl of medicine!”

He Tiantian’s voice was faint, but her tone was resolute.

The maid did not dare hesitate; she quickly turned around, approached the table, and picked up a small sweet-white porcelain bowl, which contained the already cooled Medicine Soup.

Carefully holding the bowl, the maid approached the bed.

He Yi was on high alert, she stealthily moved back two steps, fearing that her cousin might suddenly go insane again.

Even Duke Wei was somewhat nervous. He stood in front of the bed, his hands clenched tight, unsure whether to stop his wife or protect He Yi behind him.

In a moment of hesitation, He Tiantian had already reached out for the bowl and, under the astonished gazes of everyone, drank it all in one go.

”Although I am already gravely ill, and it’s uncertain if I can survive these few days, I must face the consequences of my wrongdoing, and not escape punishment because I am ill!”

”I harbored ill intentions towards my younger sister and nearly caused a great disaster; thus, I should face the same consequences!”

”Furthermore, for the next three days, I will not drink another drop of medicine, nor will I allow the Imperial Physician to treat me. If I die, it will be my way of apologizing to my sister!”

If she were lucky enough to survive, then the incident where she had intended to harm He Yi should be erased!

After all, everyone knew that ”He Tian” was now reliant on Medicine Soup to cling to life, not to mention three days, even missing one day of medicine, she could die at any moment...