В Цзянху есть Сяо Чань

Глава 58

After exchanging greetings, Ziqin asked her directly, "Did you give me two pieces of braised beef last night?"

"Yes, my cousin asked someone to bring it." Mei'er's voice was also very soft and charming, making people's hearts melt. She was completely unaware of the inappropriate expressions of the people in the room, and covered her mouth to giggle: "I know, Sister Ziqin, although you don't like to eat this kind of greasy food, your Brother Wang likes to eat it!"

Ziqin lowered her head and remained silent.

Song Xiaohua finally lost her temper and said angrily, "You should know that Wuque in our family loves to eat more, right!"

"What Wuque? The big dog in Second Madam's garden?"

Mei'er was still in a daze when Zhao slapped her across the face: "You bitch, are you trying to kill me?!"

Madam Yuan seemed exhausted, slumping back on the couch and sighing deeply, "I can understand your desire to avenge your master. But your actions are far too ruthless; the Lu family can no longer tolerate you." She then turned to Song Xiaohua and said, "Sister-in-law, just for my sake, let's just kick her out of the manor. Since that dog is alright, let's not pursue the matter further, shall we?"

In wealthy households, besides serving as maids or concubines, servants of servants would usually be married off to families of equal social standing by their masters when they reached marriageable age. If a servant wanted to make a living on her own and the term of her indenture had expired, she would be given a sum of money sufficient to support herself for the rest of her life and released from the household to fend for herself.

If you are kicked out halfway through, you'll be left empty-handed and with nothing. If your family is poor, you might even have trouble making a living. Moreover, it will severely damage your reputation, making it very difficult to establish yourself in the future.

Song Xiaohua was initially reluctant, but considering that she had attempted to kill Song Wuque, she hardened her heart and nodded. Then, she got up to take her leave.

Upon entering the courtyard, they heard a heart-wrenching cry of injustice, the voice devoid of any gentleness, only a hoarse and shrill tone, interspersed with Zhao's scolding.

Song Xiaohua stiffened for a moment, then pursed her lips and continued walking, with Wang Lin and Tingxian silently following behind.

It wasn't until they reached the bamboo grove outside Nianyuan Garden that Song Xiaohua spoke: "You didn't trust the wrong person."

Wang Lin nodded emphatically, then, remembering that she couldn't see him from the front, quickly replied, "She wouldn't hurt me."

"Mei'er knows which restaurant's braised beef Wuque loves most, and she also knows that you are good to Wuque and will definitely save it for him. That's why she specially gave it to Ziqin, hoping to use Ziqin to harm Wuque. If something happens to Wuque, in my rage, I might not even bother to investigate the cause and will directly prosecute you, Wang Lin, for dereliction of duty. Even if you have any suspicions, you will have no evidence. Moreover, out of consideration for Ziqin, you will surely defend her to the death and say nothing. In this way, Mei'er will have no connection whatsoever."

Song Xiaohua spoke rapidly, as if eager to convince someone: "She probably thought that even if Wuque smelled something was wrong and wouldn't eat, we could just ignore it or simply give it a different food. Who would have thought I'd be so relentless over a dog? She certainly doesn't know that in my heart, Wuque is already family… Actually, Mei'er might just be a scapegoat. The real mastermind might be Zhao Shi, but unfortunately, my sister-in-law is clearly protecting her and unwilling to pursue the matter further. So this time, we can only make an example of her, to teach her a lesson. If there's a next time, I definitely won't let her off easily!"

After saying that, he turned around and saw Tingxian looking thoughtful: "What, am I wrong?"

Tingxian glanced at Wang Lin, who was beaming with excitement, and then shook her head with a smile: "How could Second Madam be wrong? In short, in my opinion, Second Madam handled this matter extremely well and neatly. I believe that no one will dare to provoke her again."

“Right…” Her words did nothing to quell the unease and restlessness that had been lingering in Song Xiaohua’s heart ever since she left Shengyuan: “You all go back to the garden first, I’ll go talk to my aunt.”

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Third Aunt's residence always exuded a leisurely and carefree atmosphere, with flowers, birds, and tea.

After listening to Song Xiaohua's account of what had happened over the past half-day, Madam Qin sipped her tea and remained silent for a while before finally saying softly, "It's not over yet, let's continue watching!"

"Does Aunt mean that Zhao will still cause trouble? I really don't understand why my sister-in-law is so protective of her and so tolerant of her! If this matter is investigated further, who knows what the outcome will be!"

Qin remained silent, got up to add some food to the parrot on the shelf, and paused for a moment before speaking: "What do you think of your sister-in-law's feelings for Lu Zhi?"

She indulges and spoils her in everything, even better than she would her own son, Lu Sheng.

"As you probably already know, on the night you entered the manor, I asked Ling'er many questions."

Song Xiaohua secretly stuck out her tongue: "My aunt is testing me, her stepmother!"

With a gentle smile, Madam Qin's facial features softened immediately: "You treat Ling'er very well because although you don't lose your temper with Ling'er, you will definitely scold and teach him if he makes a mistake. If you just indulge and spoil Ling'er, I will tell the master to let Ling'er continue to stay with me."

"So, what does your sister-in-law think of Lu Zhi...?"

"All I know is that you can tell what a person will be like at three years old. Now, Lu Zhi, who is already eight years old, has no advantage over Lu Sheng, who is not even four years old, except for his height."

Song Xiaohua's unease grew: "Auntie, have I... wronged Mei'er?"

With her back to her, Qin looked at the colorful flowers in the garden: "I've seen that Mei'er twice. If anyone is to blame, it's her pretty face and the restless nature she exudes. It has nothing to do with you."

"But...but isn't my sister-in-law always very tolerant? I heard that she was the one who arranged for my brother's two concubines, and they've been living peacefully together for so many years..."

"Yes, after all these years, it's time for this show to come to an end."

Qin turned around, her face slightly blurred by the backlight: "You stood your ground today, and there's nothing to criticize about it. Now, just watch the show from the sidelines. Remember, only by remaining calm can you appreciate the most exciting parts."

Seven days later, Yuan's condition worsened, and various treatments proved ineffective. It was said that she was reminded of the 'Song Wuque attempted poisoning incident,' and at Ziqin's insistence, she sent her food to the same doctor for testing.

The medical report stated that there was a small amount of laxative in the food, with the same ingredients as in the braised beef. However, the amount was very small, and eating it once or twice occasionally would only promote intestinal peristalsis and expel toxins from the body, much like the effect of many diet pills later on.

However, long-term consumption can lead to deficiency of both qi and blood, especially for those with poor physical condition. In the end, organ failure and even sudden death are not impossible.

Moreover, because the dosage is so small, the medicinal effect dissipates quickly after ingestion, making it impossible to diagnose or treat.

Naturally, all suspicion fell on Zhao.

Coincidentally, Zhao had studied medicine for a few years and liked to grow some herbs in her garden for daily maintenance and emergency use. Coincidentally, some of the things she grew happened to be ingredients that could be used to make that laxative. And most coincidentally, those herbs clearly showed signs of being harvested in large quantities recently.

This matter was of great importance, so it was reported to Lu Tuo and his four concubines.

Numerous pieces of evidence clearly show that Zhao, who was used to being arrogant and domineering, was increasingly dissatisfied with merely being a concubine. She then harbored malicious intentions, plotting to kill Yuan through slow poisoning while Lu Ziheng was away. In doing so, as the biological mother of the eldest grandson of the first branch of the family, she would have a good chance of being elevated to the position of legitimate wife.

Zhao refused to admit it even when she was dying, and instead pointed at Yuan and cursed her, saying that she was deliberately framing her.

Yuan was already weak and exhausted. Seeing her sister, with whom she had treated each other sincerely for many years, act in this way, she was so heartbroken that she cried herself unconscious.

Lu Tuo was driven mad by the two women's arguing. He slammed his fist on the table, ready to hand Zhao over to the authorities for legal action. Later, Yuan, who had been revived, pleaded for her life with tears streaming down her face. In the end, they decided to expel Zhao from the Lu family and send her back to her hometown in the Northwest, never to set foot in that remote town again.

Yuan's virtue and magnanimity once again earned her widespread praise.

Thus, this scene came to an end.

Song Xiaohua obediently calmed down and watched the show, but was so stimulated by the exciting parts that she felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her throat felt sweet.

Before he could even spit out the blood, he stared in disbelief as Lu Tuo suddenly began to lash out.

Only then did the old man learn that his beloved dog had almost been poisoned to death by diarrhea, and he flew into a rage. Since the culprits, Mei'er and Zhao Shi, had already been kicked out, he had nowhere to vent his anger, so he simply chased away the other two unfortunate victims—Ziqin and Wang Lin—as well…

Upon learning this absurd news, Song Xiaohua immediately wanted to confront Lu Tuo and plead for mercy, but Tingxian persuaded her to stay.

In the end, Tingxian only said one sentence: "We'll have to wait until Second Master returns before we can make any decisions."

Unexpectedly, Lu Ziqi smiled and played mysterious with her, only saying, "Don't be impatient, the show isn't over yet!"

Holy crap! Go to hell with your show! Your whole family are actors!

Song Xiaohua was furious at the time, but she was quickly appeased by the beastly behavior of a certain "refined scoundrel"...

Chapter Sixty-One: The Oriole Awaits

Several days later, one evening, Song Xiaohua, who was extremely bored, was listlessly eating melon seeds while watching a real opera performance on stage when Lu Ziqi, who appeared out of nowhere, lured her to a small pavilion in the middle of a small garden.

A refreshing evening breeze carries the fragrance of flowers, and a crescent moon hangs on the branches.

With a handsome man in front of him and alluring beauty, a pair of devilish hands groped him up and down.

Lu Ziqi finally managed to grab those two restless little paws: "Yaoyao, stop fooling around..."

"Huh? You secretly dragged me here just to have 'battle in the wild,' why are you acting all serious?"

"...Field combat?"

"Come on, let me show you with my actions." Song Xiaohua wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped, her legs encircling his waist, revealing a lewd grin: "Ready?"

Even in the dim moonlight, Lu Ziqi's radiant face, as red as blooming lilies, was still clearly visible. He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging 'evil thoughts,' and patted the head of the 'wild monkey' clinging to him: "I have something serious to tell you, stand up straight."

His innocent attitude, like that towards a small pet, drastically reduced Song Xiaohua's wolfish nature. She pouted and slid down, saying, "What serious business could you possibly have?"

Lu Ziqi fell silent for a moment. How long ago was it that he had become such a disreputable person…

While sighing, she took out an exquisite embroidered pouch from her sleeve, but before she could speak, Song Xiaohua snatched it away: "Where did this come from?"

His fierce and menacing expression, revealing two small tiger teeth, made Lu Ziqi smile involuntarily: "Naturally, it was given to me by a woman."

Song Xiaohua was stunned for a moment, then pounced on him with a howl like a raging little female leopard, biting him hard on the shoulder.

Lu Ziqi never expected her to be so fierce, and surprisingly agile. He tried to dodge to the side, but there was a solid pavilion pillar behind him. She would definitely not be able to stop in time and would crash into it headfirst, injuring herself instead. He had no choice but to take the hit and cried out "Ah!"

Hearing him cry out in pain, Song Xiaohua was startled and released him: "What's wrong? Did you bite your old wound?"

"No." Lu Ziqi frowned and rubbed his shoulders. "I wrote several memorials today, so they're a bit sore."

"...What does this have to do with me biting you?"

"It's okay!"

"...Then why did you yell just now?"

"Didn't I say it was because my arms were sore?"

"…………"