Chapter 13: Accidentally Eating Poisonous Grass

Qi Yunshu felt a sudden pain in her nose and bumped into someone's chest. When she looked up, she saw Zhao Jing following closely behind. "Ouch... What are you doing?" she scolded him in a coquettish tone.

"Madam took the wrong path again!" Zhao Jing didn't overlook the fact that she could recognize characters.

It was rumored that the Qi family had two daughters, Yunniang and Yuemeng. Yunniang was rough and willful, lazy by nature, while Yuemeng was beautiful, gentle, virtuous, and sought after by many suitors.

"It's none of your business!" Qi Yunshu displayed a bit of petulance, which she realized was unnatural after doing so. They had no real connection, just bound together by chance. She was still thinking about her first love, so why would she act petulantly towards him?

After thinking it through, Qi Yunshu turned and followed him back home in silence.

Before they even entered the house, they heard Mrs. Xu's loud voice exclaiming, "Oh, we have some skills to receive an invitation from the prominent Huang family in town!"

"Mother, I heard from Miss Huang that Mr. Huang will invite many distinguished guests from the county and town, including the teachers from the Wenshan Academy that the gentleman wants to attend. Please ask Miss Huang to introduce them, so the gentleman will have connections when he goes to the academy in the future!"

"Great, that's wonderful! You have some skills, Cailian!" Mrs. Xu, with her snobbish eyes, praised Cailian for her son's benefit, completely ignoring Qi Yunshu and Zhao Jing as if they were not on the same level.

Amused, Qi Yunshu turned to Zhao Jing and asked, "Is Mr. Huang really that influential?"

Zhao Jing shook his head, "Not really, but he has some influence."

Qi Yunshu blinked, unsure if she had misheard. She sensed a modesty in Zhao Jing's tone.

Thinking that he was also a scholar and would take the imperial examination in March, it would be beneficial if he knew the teachers at the Wenshan Academy. She said, "It seems he does have some influence. If I completely cure his anorexia, would he introduce you to the teachers at the Wenshan Academy?"

Zhao Jing raised an eyebrow. Was she genuinely concerned about him? He felt a bit touched, as this was the first time in twenty years that someone had genuinely cared about him without any ulterior motives. However, it was unnecessary.

"It's not necessary. Once I pass the examination and enter the Wenshan Academy, I will naturally get to know them."

The Wenshan Academy was a local institution specifically for scholars preparing for the provincial examination.

Qi Yunshu didn't understand all this, but it sounded reasonable, so she didn't take his refusal to heart. Before going to bed, Zhao Jing hesitated for a long time before mustering the courage to say, "I will accompany you on the 18th!"

"Why are you going? Aren't you supposed to copy books?" she asked.

"I'm worried about you!" Zhao Jing squeezed the invitation in his hand.

In fact, he had received it a long time ago but had not intended to go. However, now that Cailian and Zhao Liangtian were going, and they had always had a bad relationship with her, he had no choice but to go!

On the 18th of February, Qi Yunshu entered the Huang residence through the back door with Mrs. Tian. As they passed the garden, they caught a glimpse of the scenery inside.

Lush bamboo and rockeries, pavilions, and terraces, all exuded an imposing atmosphere.

The kitchen was as large as Mrs. Tian's restaurant, clean and bright, with all the ingredients prepared in advance. The kitchen staff stood in rows.

It seemed that the Huang family had said something, as all the assisting servants were treating her with great respect.

It was embarrassing to admit that this was the first time Qi Yunshu had felt respected since coming here.

"I heard that Madam Qi's cooking skills have convinced the master to eat at home!"

Since the master had been eating at restaurants every day, their lives had become much easier.

Before, whenever they brought out the dishes, the master would always find fault with them. At first, he would eat a few bites, but later, he would even get angry just from the smell.

So they were often scolded and punished by the master. If the wages here weren't high, they would have quit long ago!

Fortunately, after nearly two months of hellish living, someone finally rescued them, and it was this delicate lady in front of them.

"I just happened to make a few dishes that Mr. Huang likes!" They didn't understand the root cause of anorexia, so they couldn't cure it, and naturally, the dishes they made didn't gain Mr. Huang's approval.

Qi Yunshu naturally wouldn't reveal the true reasons, as she didn't want to ruin her reputation.

But some people were persistent. Apart from curiosity, some suspected that she must have a secret recipe for cooking and wanted to coax it out of her.

However, Qi Yunshu was as stubborn as a rock, insisting that she needed to focus on cooking and busied herself in the kitchen until the dishes were served.

Afterward, she felt a bit more relaxed. She and Mrs. Tian joined the kitchen staff for a meal and sat on small stools in the corridor to chat.

But they were soon surrounded by people trying to pry into their conversation.

"Where did Madam Qi learn her cooking skills?"

Qi Yunshu didn't know if the original owner had good cooking skills, so she didn't dare to answer casually. She simply said, "Interest is the best teacher. I studied cooking because I liked it."

More and more topics were brought up, and Qi Yunshu felt overwhelmed.

Fortunately, someone arrived in the front yard, saying that someone wanted to meet the head chef who had prepared the meal.

Normally, Qi Yunshu didn't like dealing with such situations, but now it was a relief from the incessant chatter.

The banquet was set in the garden, and with the arrival of spring, the flowers were in full bloom, creating a luxurious and splendid atmosphere with the specially arranged decorations.

From these scenes alone, it is evident that Huang Yuanwai's family background and economic strength are extraordinary.

"A young girl like her is the head chef? Huang Lao Ye, are you trying to fool us?" someone questioned Huang Yuanwai's words.

"Whether she is the head chef or not, this old man doesn't know, but ever since I tasted her cooking, I've had an appetite!" Huang Yuanwai pointed to the dishes in front of him. In the past, when he saw such rich and meaty dishes, he didn't feel like eating, but now he was able to eat two bowls in one go.

"Is it true?" someone widened their eyes, looking at Qi Yunshu.

Dressed in a simple indigo blue outfit, with her hair tied in the most ordinary twist braid and wearing a plain handkerchief.

She looked extremely ordinary, but upon closer inspection, her features were quite beautiful.

The crowd whispered to each other, talking about her background and origins. But most people believed Huang Yuanwai's words, saying positive things, praising her as a capable individual.

Qi Yunshu was indifferent to flattering words, knowing that these people were just saving face for Huang Yuanwai, she was well aware of their intentions.

But she thought that this kind of publicity could benefit the Tian family's eateries!

She symbolically expressed her thanks, and many people clearly stated that the dishes today were excellent, and that they were going to visit Benwei Lou by themselves next time to taste her cooking.

Qi Yunshu modestly looked around and saw several familiar faces.

However, they were here for the banquet, while she was just a cook, the difference was evident.

She lowered her head, about to leave, when suddenly someone called out loudly: "Hey, Cailian, why are you like this?"

Qi Yunshu's heart skipped a beat. Liu Cailian had arrived?

Without hesitation, everyone surrounded her.

Immediately, a man with a goatee stepped forward and claimed to be a doctor.

Qi Yunshu followed suit and saw Liu Cailian sitting on the rocking chair, touching her forehead, her brows furrowed, her cheeks flushed, and large beads of sweat on her forehead.

Huang Yuying anxiously supported her, "Doctor, how is she? Is Cailian okay?"

The doctor stroked his goatee, pondered for a moment, and said, "It's a serious matter, she shows symptoms of ingesting Commelina communis!"

Many people may not know Commelina communis, but anyone who studies medicine is very clear about it.

Because this strange herb, with a strange aroma, can be eaten, and a small amount consumed multiple times will not be immediately fatal. However, when accumulated, it can cause a severe illness. Once it becomes serious, it will be undoubtedly fatal. Some people are very strange, as they are allergic to this herb, and just having a bite can cause symptoms.

"Ah ... no wonder I thought the food you cooked wasn't that great, but why does my father like it! It's outrageous, doctor, please diagnose my father right away!" Huang Yuying pleaded with the doctor with red eyes.

For a moment, everyone who had eaten the food felt worried, and some also led the atmosphere. The situation at the scene became tense.

The Tian family, seeing that something was wrong, looked at Qi Yunshu with concern and argued anxiously, "There are no such things in my eatery, and I don't even recognize that herb!"

"You said it yourself, you don't recognize Commelina communis, so how can you be sure that she didn't use it?" Huang Yuying was well-prepared and quickly countered her words.

Tian also realized that this matter was not simple, so she looked at the party involved, Qi Yunshu.

She was still standing in the middle, surrounded by many people who had praised her, but at this moment, they were all looking at her with accusing eyes, pointing fingers at her.

She stood in the crowd, her eyes fixed on Liu Cailian, seemingly ignoring the accusations.

Qi Yunshu's gaze was only directed at Liu Cailian.

She thought to herself coldly, "She's so bold!"

She slowly moved closer to Liu Cailian, touched the back of her head, and observed her expression.

Then, taking advantage of the chaos, she whispered, "With a two-month pregnancy, you dare to take Chinese medicine randomly. Niece-in-law, aren't you afraid of taking the wrong medicine, which isn't good for the child?"