Tianliangyuan

Chapter 2 Retreating to Advance

“A few days ago, I heard Father mention that he had arranged for my second brother to go to the army for training, and the place he was going to was Jizhou. General Xie and Xie Zheng are both stationed in Jizhou. If the engagement is broken off now, and my second brother really goes to the military camp, wouldn’t he be targeted by the Xie family army?”

Xu Zhaozhao's words successfully changed the expressions of both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

"Grandmother, Mother, please forgive me. Putting aside whether my illness these days is related to Xie Zheng's birth chart, even if it is, if we rush to break off the engagement, wouldn't we be falling into someone's trap? Our two families have been engaged for many years, so why is it that at this time the rumor of Xie Zheng being cursed to bring misfortune to his family has spread? This is clearly someone maliciously trying to sow discord between our two families!"

Wang Ruolan calmed down and realized that her daughter was right. After all, the rumors about Xie Zheng being a cursed husband were spreading like wildfire, and it was indeed inappropriate for the Xu family to come and break off the engagement at this time.

Wang Ruolan glanced cautiously at her mother-in-law and said softly, "Zhaozhao is right. This marriage cannot be called off for the time being. Even if Xie Zheng really is a jinx, we can't choose to break off the engagement now. It would be bad for Zhaozhao's reputation. Let's wait a little longer."

Soon after, Peony and the head cook from the kitchen arrived.

"Your Excellencies, I did find two medicinal herbs in that tonic soup that are not good for Miss. However, we need to ask a doctor to examine them to determine the specific effects on Miss."

Wang Ruolan's expression darkened slightly: "Then let's have someone come and examine it!"

"Yes."

Madam Xu glanced around the room and then instructed the maid beside her, "Where is Miss Biao? Go and invite her over."

"Yes."

Wang Ruolan received a wink from her daughter and, without hesitation, said directly, "Wait a minute. This matter should have nothing to do with Qian'er. It's most likely the work of that lowly maid in that courtyard. Aman, you go with me. I'm afraid there's someone in the courtyard who's bullying her master, and Qian'er is too young to handle it."

"Yes, ma'am."

Madam Xu's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything more.

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance, clearly having the same thought.

Sun Qian is the old lady's own granddaughter. Even if Sun Qian did this herself, with the old lady around, no matter how wronged they are, they can't really do anything to Sun Qian. Since that's the case, it's better to retreat in order to advance.

After the doctor examined the herbs, he said that the two herbs were incompatible with the medicine the young lady was taking. If too much of them were used, it might damage her health and lead to heart failure.

The consequences are far too serious!

If it is heart failure, then death is inevitable.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruolan began to weep, "Where did this heartless wretch come from? How could he be so cruel? He wants to kill our Zhaozhao!"

The old lady's face stiffened slightly. Could she say that her daughter-in-law was making veiled accusations?

But they didn't name names, and they even spoke up for Sun Qian just now, so what could she do?

After being invited into the house, Sun Qian noticed that the atmosphere was not right.

Aman nodded slightly in the direction of the lady, and Xu Zhaozhao happened to see this and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Cousin, is the woman who accompanied you to deliver the tonic soup today Chunliu behind you?"

Sun Qian looked slightly surprised, but forced herself to remain calm and said, "Yes, why do you ask that, cousin? Has something happened?"

With reddened eyes, Dingxiang said, "Miss, you didn't know? Our young lady suddenly fainted today and also had a high fever. Your Furong Courtyard is not far away, yet you didn't hear a thing?"

That's an interesting point. Even the old lady who lives a little further away knows that Xu Zhaozhao has fallen ill, but you, her cousin who is very close to Xu Zhaozhao, don't know?

That's really unreasonable!

Sun Qian was stunned by these words, her mind went blank, and it took her a while to say, "I, I was busy making nourishing soup today, so I was a little tired and fell asleep after I got back. I didn't know that my sister had suffered so much. It's all my fault, please forgive me."

Sun Qian has always had a pure and innocent appearance, but now, after just a few words, her eyes welled up with tears, as if she had been wronged.

Wang Ruolan felt utterly exhausted. Here we go again!

Whenever something happens, this niece only knows how to pretend to be innocent and pitiful. Does she really think that everyone else is blind and stupid and can't see anything?

"Guards, drag Chunliu away and interrogate her properly."

"Yes."

Sun Qian panicked: "Aunt, what do you mean by this? Chunliu is someone I brought from the Sun family. If you have any anger, take it out on me. Why make things difficult for a servant?"

Tsk tsk, look at their methods! They didn't mention a single word about the tonic soup being problematic, but in just a few words, they portrayed Wang Ruolan as someone who mistreats younger generations and is narrow-minded!

Wang Ruolan didn't argue with her, but instead looked at the old lady and asked, "What do you think, Mother?"

What could the old lady say?

Things have come to this point; if we don't investigate thoroughly, things will really get messed up!

While my son and grandson are not at home, I'd better resolve this quickly, otherwise, things will get messy.

"Guards, drag him away for interrogation!"

"Yes."

In fact, Wang Ruolan knew in her heart that even if Chunliu took all the blame, she would only be taking the fall for someone else.

Why would a mere maidservant want to harm the daughter of a noble family?

Are they tired of living?

Before Sun Qian could say anything more, Xu Zhaozhao, lying on the bed, forced herself to sit up and said weakly, "My cousin is just too kind-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed the servants around her to be so unruly and harbor such malicious intentions!"

Sun Qian felt disgusted by these words, as if the other person was saying the opposite of what they meant.

Xu Zhaozhao sighed and looked at the old lady: "Grandmother, my cousin is only a few months older than me. She must have been deceived by the servants. I know that my cousin has never liked those trivial matters. Today's tonic soup must have been made by her after she told the servants to make it. I just didn't expect Chunliu to have such evil intentions, which almost killed me."

Sun Qian's fingers were clenched so tightly. Xu Zhaozhao's few words were tantamount to convicting Chunliu, and at the same time, she told everyone present that Sun Qian was just a person who could talk the talk, and how could she be willing to wash her hands and cook for others?

What's worse, Sun Qian always felt that she was implying that she was the mastermind behind all of this, but how could she possibly know?

In that instant, Sun Qian felt a chill run down her spine and her scalp tingle!

so horrible!

After this incident, Wang Ruolan became wary of Sun Qian and even the Sun family, and even considered whether to find an opportunity to send her back to settle the matter.

Feeling nauseous, Xu Zhaozhao stopped trying to hold on and fell asleep due to exhaustion.

Unbeknownst to her, her father and brothers returned home shortly after she fell asleep.

When Xu Zhaozhao woke up again, it was already dark.

"How's it going?"

Dingxiang looked indignant: "The old lady took charge and dealt with Chunliu, who was by Miss Biao's side. The madam ordered that the two maids in Furong Courtyard be given twenty lashes each and then kicked out."