Chapter 14: A Misunderstanding

Liu Cailian was stared at by Qiyunshu, and she couldn't help but avert her gaze, feeling a bit touched by her words.

She didn't want to, but yesterday, Huang Yuying found her and asked her to cooperate in dealing with someone, Qiyunshu, specifically. Thinking about how annoying Qiyunshu was, she immediately agreed without realizing that Huang Yuying would actually make her swallow a pill.

She was caught off guard and deeply regretted it!

Now, being seen through by Qiyunshu, she didn't know where to hide.

"It's all your fault, causing trouble for Sister Cailian. What do you want now? Do you want to threaten her? I really don't understand what Brother Rongzhi sees in you, to marry such a ruthless woman like you," Huang Yuying pointed her finger at her with a look of anger.

It seemed like Qiyunshu was about to be drowned in accusations.

Zhao Jing, who had been on the sidelines, pushed through the crowd and suddenly grabbed her hand, facing the anger of the crowd:

"I believe my wife wouldn't do something like this. Anyone with medical knowledge knows the effects of Argy Wormwood!"

Although Zhao Jing slightly bowed his back, his words were firm, and with his reputation at the academy, everyone was able to listen quietly.

"Perhaps she didn't know, and it was just a mistake," someone tried to calm the situation.

"No, my father has been eating at that restaurant for several days. The first time might have been a mistake, but what about the second and third times? I think she has malicious intentions, using addictive substances to attract customers!" At this moment, Huang Yuying wasn't even concerned about Zhao Jing protecting Qiyunshu. She was determined to bring her down.

"What do you have to say?" Mr. Huang was not a foolish man. He noticed that, up to now, Qiyunshu hadn't uttered a word in self-defense.

"I know about Argy Wormwood, but I have never used it!"

Her culinary skills were unparalleled in this place where even spices were scarce. Did she really need to rely on such means to keep them?

"You say you haven't used it, but who would believe that?" Some people began to slander her without reason.

"I have evidence, whether you believe it or not is up to you!" Qiyunshu stepped forward, holding a bunch of Argy Wormwood.

"The person who drugged you must not have known about your pregnancy. Occasionally ingesting Argy Wormwood poses no major harm to ordinary women, but for an unborn child, it is significantly dangerous."

She had read research reports on Argy Wormwood in modern times, and because it grows in wet, polluted ditches and contains heavy metals such as mercury and lead, unintentional consumption by pregnant women could cause serious harm to the fetus.

Liu Cailian was startled, her face turning slightly pale.

She didn't want to admit it, but she had actually seen people who consumed this herb give birth to disabled children.

"Doctor Yu, please take a look at me!" She grabbed the sleeve of Doctor Yang, seeking help.

Qiyunshu held her hand and looked concerned, "Don't forget, it's only been a few days since you got married..."

If the doctor diagnosed her pregnancy in front of so many people, it would be unbearable for her!

Liu Cailian was panicking and hadn't thought it through, but Qiyunshu's reminder made her immediately withdraw her hand, pleadingly looking at her. The image she had worked so hard to maintain was about to collapse completely.

Her tearful appearance seemed to outsiders like she had suffered some grievance.

Standing beside her, Zhao Liangtian stepped forward and shielded her, "Wife, why are you crying? Did she bully you again?"

Qiyunshu's eyes darkened. What did he mean by "again bullied"? He really couldn't speak!

"No, no, Auntie Qiyun didn't bully me. It's me... cough, cough!" Liu Cailian nervously leaned against him and glanced at Qiyunshu.

"Since I am so familiar with Argy Wormwood, I naturally know how to antidote it, but you see, everyone is blaming me because of your situation... do you know what to do!" Qiyunshu smiled kindly.

Playing the innocent victim, who couldn't do that?

Liu Cailian was furious, but had to do as Qiyunshu said. She couldn't afford to lose this child!

Huang Yuying, who didn't understand the situation, desperate to disrupt her plan, grabbed her.

She had finally set up this situation, and she wouldn't allow it to be ruined.

"Don't you dare..."

"I'm sorry, everyone. Argy Wormwood was mistakenly consumed by me outside,"

"Cailian, what nonsense are you spouting?" Huang Yuying was extremely anxious. She finally had the chance to deal with her, why was she retracting her words?

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault!" Liu Cailian's eyes were swollen, tears rolling down. She had a pitiful appearance.

With the person involved saying this, if Huang Yuying insisted, everyone would see through something.

The maid Zhen'er quickly held her back!

"I told you, how could our Yunniang, who is skilled in both cooking and medicinal properties, make such a rookie mistake?" Although Mrs. Tian usually appeared easy to get along with, as a widow with a son and a failed childbirth, if she wasn't fierce, how could she get by?

Zhao Jing glanced at Qiyunshu. He had been watching her every move, and he probably knew everything she had said to Liu Cailian.

He couldn't believe she had such a strong ability to adapt. With almost no effort, she fully turned the situation around. He was about to defend her, but seeing her, he could only watch as she gave a half-hearted greeting and went to the kitchen herself.

"Madam!" Zhao Jing called out to her from the corridor, wanting to say something, but Qiyun Shu waved him in without paying much attention.

"Everyone is waiting for you!"

Knowing that despite his humble background, he was a guest invited by Huang Yuying, different from her own role as a helper in the kitchen.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, not only was she not blamed, but she received rewards instead. In the hall, she felt like an outsider. When would be a better time to leave?

As she passed through the moonlit courtyard and the back courtyard, Qiyun Shu's ears caught a low, probing question.

"Hey, Liu Cailian, what do you really want to do? You said you hated her and wanted to embarrass her, and now you're letting her off. Are you playing me?"

"I didn't...you..." Liu Cailian hung her head, her eyes dark. She couldn't tell anyone about her having a child. She could only vaguely say,

"I...I got married, you know that. My husband said he wants a child. You gave me that medicine without my consent...what if I already have a child in my womb? It's..."

Huang Yuying also thought this made sense. The whole thing was actually her fault. But she was used to her younger sister's temper, and had always been indulged by Liu Cailian. Naturally, she wouldn't admit her mistake, and just stiffened her neck.

Clutching her abdomen, Liu Cailian seemed to have a faint sense of swelling. She was truly worried that something might happen to her child.

She was worried and didn't want to talk to Huang Yuying any more, so she said she had something to do and left.

As she had not yet left, Qiyun Shu overheard her asking Zhao Liangtian to take her to see a doctor. She looked at Liu Cailian's stiff figure and her lips slowly curled up.