Chapter 176 Reason
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Found? Zhu Changsheng suddenly became nervous. Although he had nothing to do with this matter, and he was unaware of it, let alone having the courage, but seeing Li Quanxin’s demeanor, why did he feel something was amiss? It felt like he was about to face a big disaster. Feeling scared, but trying to maintain his composure, he said, “I never inquire about things His Highness doesn’t want me to know, and I never spread rumors I shouldn’t spread!”
“Is that so? That sounds nice.” Li Quanxin sneered, “But I feel like you’re the most scheming one here. I know you’re from the Imperial Consort’s family, and your status is quite different from ours. But His Highness doesn’t mind me knowing about this matter, nor does he mind me telling you.”
Zhu Changsheng’s heart immediately sank to his throat, his face turned ugly, “Since when did His Highness need to go through you to tell me about things? Stop making up stories!”
“Don’t be like this.” Li Quanxin pitied him and poked him hard in the chest, “I know you’re uncomfortable. We’ve been brothers for many years. Listen to your brother’s advice, don’t take it too hard on yourself!”
Zhu Changsheng was infuriated, “Get lost! Take your dirty hands off me! Otherwise, I’ll turn hostile.”
Li Quanxin was also not angry, proudly saying, “In the future, you don’t need to worry about the affairs of the inner court, including His Highness’s daily life. Let your brother take care of it.”
Daily life? That’s the main source of income in the mansion! As for other personal matters, they’re just for show. Everything given or received is documented. Do you think I’d dare take even an extra penny? Zhu Changsheng instantly became annoyed. “Are you speaking for His Highness?”
Seeing him change his expression, Li Quanxin also stopped smiling and arrogantly raised his chin. “Of course, it’s what His Highness said. Don’t you agree?” He leaned in closer and whispered, “Why do you think His Highness spent so long in the punishment room just now? Out of the bond between brothers, I’ll give you a hint. The scented bathwater used by the Wangfei had a problem. Wasn’t it the fragrance you handled? If you don’t hurry up and apologize to prove your innocence, still daring to act tough here? You must have become too comfortable and forgotten your place, right?”
The fragrance? Zhu Changsheng’s mouth fell open in shock. After a moment of stunned silence, he instantly deflated but still refused to admit fault. “That fragrance is distributed by the palace to the major mansions. I’m only responsible for receiving it and putting it into the storeroom. With all the precautions taken, no one can prevent someone with ill intentions from causing trouble. If His Highness really blames me, why wouldn’t he come to me directly?”
Li Quanxin sneered, “That’s because His Highness is being sentimental and has found the real culprit, knowing that you didn’t do it on purpose. So he gave you some face and didn’t want to hurt the old man’s heart. But who knew you would continue to act recklessly. When His Highness reveals it to your face, do you think you’ll still have a way out? Fool!” With a flick of his sleeve, he and his few lackeys left in a huff.
“That external steward is about to reach the end of his rope. Look at his miserable appearance. That’s what they call being too clever for one’s own good…” The lackeys giggled and glanced back at Zhu Changsheng, then whispered to each other.
Zhu Changsheng was so angry his eyes turned green, his heart shrinking in fear. He didn’t want to show his weakness to others, so he angrily spat, “You shameless eunuch! How dare you frame me!” But ultimately, being under someone’s roof, he had to rack his brains to figure out how to please Yuwen Chu and turn this situation around.
Meanwhile, Mingzhu lazily laid in the carriage, leisurely poking at the grapes on the crystal plate with a silver skewer. The grapes were plump, with thin skins, and each bite was sweet and juicy, with a hint of coolness from being chilled, making it extremely refreshing. She shook her head as she ate, and if she had a tail, it would probably be wagging along with her movements.
Seeing her indulging in herself so completely, completely oblivious to her surroundings, Yuwen Chu couldn’t bear it anymore and swiftly took away the crystal plate.
“Why?” Mingzhu protested, leaning over to try to snatch it back.
“You’re still unwell and shouldn’t eat sour and cold foods. Allowing you to eat these grapes is already a special favor. Do you want to eat them all?” Yuwen Chu calmly handed the crystal plate out of the window. “Take it away.”
Mingzhu glared at him resentfully, convinced that he couldn’t stand seeing her enjoy herself alone, consumed by envy and jealousy, deliberately trying to make things difficult for her.
Yuwen Chu raised an eyebrow at her. “Does Wangfei have any ideas?”
“If I had any ideas, would the grapes come back?” Mingzhu retorted.
“No.”
“…” Then what’s the point? Mingzhu laid lethargically on the table, staring out the window. The silver gauze on the window was transparent and airy, allowing a clear view outside, but it was impossible to see inside. It was noon, and the street was bustling with people, with various vendors calling out their wares, creating a lively scene.
“Your poisoning incident is starting to become clearer.” Yuwen Chu coughed lightly, sitting down beside her, shoulder to shoulder.
Mingzhu looked at him warily, thinking, the moment of truth has come!
“It’s my fault.” Yuwen Chu’s voice was filled with genuine anger and guilt, “Despite taking every precaution, I didn’t expect them to tamper with the bath soup you used. The poison was soaked in the spices for the bath soup in advance, colorless and tasteless, rising with the steam. Through breathing and skin absorption, the poison slowly takes effect, leaving no trace.”
“Ah!” This answer was so unbelievable and terrifying that Mingzhu screamed in fright and immediately tried to jump up from the couch.
Yuwen Chu quickly held her tightly, stroking her hair gently and murmured, “Don’t be afraid, it’s all over now.”
In just a moment, Mingzhu’s clothes were already soaked with sweat. What kind of malicious person was behind this? She had thought it was just a simple plot, but she didn’t expect the other party to almost ruin her appearance and skin. She held her face in her hands, wishing she could quickly look in the mirror to reassure herself. Normally, she didn’t think much of her own appearance, but when she almost lost it, she realized how important it was to her. What if she became an ugly monster? A fearsome and ugly monster? At least she wouldn’t be able to insult others for being ugly anymore. Even Yuwen Chu, at first, might feel sorry for her and treat her with more care, but over time, would he still want to always look at an ugly face?
Thinking about that made her unhappy. Mingzhu muttered in a low voice, “Have they found the culprit? Who did it?”
“The spices were provided by the palace, and the palace servant responsible for distributing them has already died. The trail has gone cold, but it’s likely one of a few people who could have done it. With careful investigation, we’ll eventually find out, it just might take some time.” Yuwen Chu’s tone became more and more apprehensive as he spoke. Mingzhu could tell he felt guilty, so she took advantage of the situation and climbed on the bandwagon, crying with a hint of self-pity. She even shamelessly snuggled into his arms, wiping her tears on his clothes, saying, “I was afraid you’d think it was our own family’s doing.”
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