Chapter Eighteen: Poisoning

Page 1/3

Su Yunyi was taken aback. “Feigning illness? Why would she pretend to be ill? What benefit could she possibly gain from this?”

“Song Xirui clearly wants to manipulate her husband by pretending to be sick, so that he will cater to her every whim. Just look now, isn’t the entire Su residence revolving around her?” Luo Yun’er tilted her head up to look at him.

She believed Su Yun without a doubt.

Su Yun furrowed his brow.

Luo Yun’er’s reasoning wasn’t without merit. Even with a thousand-year-old ginseng being used for free, Song Xirui’s body was still so frail?

But then he recalled that Song Xirui had been weak since childhood, a delicate little patient.

For a moment, he was unsure what to think.

Then he considered: even if Song Xirui was truly feigning illness, what could he do now?

His fate was tied to that pale, sickly woman!

So, under Luo Yun’er’s expectant gaze, he shook his head. “Whether she’s pretending or not, it’s not the time to move her.”

“Yes, my lord. Yun’er was only speaking carelessly,” Luo Yun’er smiled faintly, hiding the resentment in her eyes.

That woman had really managed to get Su Yun under her control!

—

The next day.

Now finally able to leave his room, Su Yun immediately had Shi Tou take him to Haitang Garden.

“My lord, you can finally get about?” Song Xirui coughed lightly into her handkerchief, her tone full of concern.

Su Yun’s face wore a gentle smile. “My lady’s health has improved; naturally, I feel much better as well.”

He had come to realize that this woman truly had some talent.

Song Xirui responded indifferently, “Then I can rest assured.”

She deliberately avoided continuing the conversation, pretending not to catch Su Yun’s implied meaning.

“My lady…” Su Yun pursed his lips, his voice softening. “Recently, my fortune has improved greatly—not as cursed as before. But it remains unstable.”

After much thought, he knew he had to seek help from Song Xirui.

A flicker of light danced in her eyes.

This was a good opportunity.

Since Luo Yun’er was causing trouble in her courtyard, why not use this chance to sow discord between the two?

Her expression immediately turned cold.

“My lord, by all reason, you should have fully recovered by now. I have done all I could to shield you from disaster!”

Her hands clenched tightly, her face filled with anxiety.

Su Yun’s eyes widened. “What am I to do? Have I been struck by something? If so, you must examine me carefully!”

Page 2/3

He did not want to become that unlucky man again!

“Do not panic, my lord,” Song Xirui’s lips curved slightly before she stood. “Did you eat anything unusual today, or meet anyone new?”

“All the food came from the small kitchen. These days, only Mother and Yun’er have been near me,” Su Yun whispered, careful not to anger Song Xirui.

But she did not lose her temper and merely nodded. “You and your mother share blood; she would not harm you. After thinking it over, it must be Yun’er. I did not want to mention this, but I have already compared your birth charts. Your constellations clash. It’s best to avoid close contact for a while. But knowing your deep affection for Yun’er, I suppose you would never…”

“That’s not the case.” Su Yun hurriedly interrupted, then coughed lightly twice. “Yun’er is certainly kind, but I am devoted to studying the classics to serve the nation. How could I lie in bed all day?”

“My lord speaks wisely,” Song Xirui nodded gently.

—

After leaving Song Xirui, Su Yun shared this matter with Luo Yun’er.

“My lord! How can you trust Song Xirui’s one-sided words? She is surely deceiving you,” Luo Yun’er pouted coquettishly.

Then she leaned closer. “I want to see for myself if she really has such power!”

The next moment, Su Yun pushed her away.

“Yun’er, be sensible. Once these days pass, we can be close again.”

With that, he quickly departed.

Luo Yun’er watched his retreating figure, her expression darkening.

—

Haitang Garden.

Hongdou had gotten up early to buy snacks for Song Xirui and was now exhausted.

Unable to take a proper nap during the day, she found a corner behind some wooden planks, leaned against the wall, and dozed off.

Half asleep, she overheard a voice: “Put this medicine in the lady’s tea. By next month, she can leave the residence and be freed from servitude!”

It was the voice of a servant boy from Luo Yun’er’s courtyard!

Hongdou startled awake, her eyes wide and ears perked.

Then she heard another voice, both fearful and excited: “Miss Biao’s word is final. If I do this, will they really let me leave?”

That was Spring Fragrance, a maid from the courtyard.

The servant boy answered confidently: “Of course, it’s a promise!”

After whispering a few more words, they hurried away.

Hongdou slipped out from behind the planks and dashed back indoors.

—

Half an hour later.

Spring Fragrance indeed entered the room.

Page 3/3

“My lady, this is the fish soup the young master sent. It’s still warm. Please drink quickly,” she said with a bright smile.

The thought of earning money and redeeming her servitude made her unable to contain her joy.

“Are you sure this fish soup came from the young master?” Song Xirui asked, having Hongdou take the soup, her tone colder than usual.

Spring Fragrance trembled inside. “Yes, of course, it’s from the young master’s goodwill.”

“Is that so?” Song Xirui’s eyes held a trace of icy chill, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Or could it be from Miss Biao?”

Before she finished speaking, several servants rushed in and pinned Spring Fragrance to the ground.

“My lady!” Spring Fragrance struggled in terror but could not break free.

Song Xirui’s indifferent gaze swept over her face. “Those who plot against me will meet no good end.”

Then she ordered, “Take her to the front courtyard. Summon the matriarch and my lord. I want justice for myself.”

The servants agreed in unison and dragged Spring Fragrance toward the front courtyard.

—

By the time Lady Li and Su Yun arrived,

Spring Fragrance was already weeping under Song Xirui’s intimidation, confessing everything.

“Waaah, it was Miss Biao! She sent someone to poison my lady’s fish soup! I was blinded by greed!”

All the servants in the courtyard lowered their heads, afraid to meet anyone’s gaze, but their ears were perked up like rabbits’.

Looking closer, several people were even crouched atop the neighboring wall!

Lady Li clutched her chest, forcing herself to stay calm, taking several deep breaths to avoid fainting.

This was outrageous!

Song Xirui was turning the Su family’s honor into the town’s laughingstock!

She wanted to tear this wretched woman’s mouth apart!

“Xirui! What are you doing now?” Su Yun frowned and gently reproached her, his voice noticeably quieter than usual.

Song Xirui shot him a glance, furious. “My lord, ask Spring Fragrance if it wasn’t your dear cousin who ordered her to poison me in the fish soup!”

Her voice was piercing, wrenching everyone’s heart.

The people on the neighboring wall gasped.

Su Yun and Lady Li exchanged shocked looks and both blurted, “How could that be possible!”