C27 (2/2)

”Steward Gu, we really didn't poison it.” Auntie Liu trembled like a sieve. She kneeled and took two steps forward, grabbing onto Yun Qianliang's skirt as she pleaded, ”Madam, your tonifying soup was all done by Shui Qin. If it was her who poisoned them, it has nothing to do with me.”

”It doesn't matter. I'm the one in charge, not you.” Yun Qianliang cast a sidelong glance at Aunty Liu, ”Whatever I want to ask next, I'll answer truthfully. If you can't find the person who poisoned you, then this crime …”

”This servant will answer truthfully.” Auntie Liu anxiously stopped Yun Qianliang's threat.

”In the past two days, has anyone from the manor been to the kitchen before, especially during the time Shui Qin was working as a tonifying soup?” Yun Qianliang held her teacup, not looking at the people who were kneeling and begging for mercy.

”This …” Auntie Liu found it difficult to think about it. Since she was old and had a poor memory, she couldn't answer her question. ”Servants from the various courtyards would come and get three meals a day, and there would be a lot of people coming and going from the kitchen.”

”Xiao Cui from the Hibiscus Courtyard, she stayed in the kitchen for a long time yesterday and today.” The people below warned him.

”Steward Gu.” Yun Qianliang handed over the important matter to the Steward Gu, so that others wouldn't think that he was jealous of Gu Yicheng for pampering her. He thought that he was avenging a personal grudge and wanted to get rid of Wen MenhisSteward Gu.” Yun Qianliang handed over the important matter to the Steward Gu, so that others wouldn't think that he was jealous of Gu Yicheng for pampering her. She thought that he was avenging a personal grudge and wanted to get rid of Wen Meng.

”Someone, bring Xiao Cui from Hibiscus Courtyard over.” Steward Gu called for the two guards and went to arrest them.

The guards rushed into the Hibiscus Courtyard, startling the servants in the courtyard.

When Wen Meng saw the two of them bringing Xiao Cui away, she worriedly patted the back of Xiao Cui's hands, ”You go with them, I'll come later.”

After the guard brought Xiao Cui back, Wen Meng returned to the house and hid the paper bag under the blanket into her belt. She then quickly led the other servants to domain clearing hall.

When Xiao Cui was brought to domain clearing hall, she looked up to see the set up of tonifying soup s, and lowered her head guiltily.

”This servant greets Madam.” Xiao Cui pretended to be calm and bowed.

”Have you been in the kitchen these two days before noon?” Yun Qianliang went straight to the point.

”Reporting to Madam, this servant did indeed go into the kitchen. Yesterday, I went to get some of the Lilium Smelting tonifying soup for Warm Girl, and today, I brought out a medicine to help quicken the blood circulation and dissolve the blood stasis for Shui Qin.” Xiao Cui explained the reason why she was able to enter the kitchen in two days, but did not mention anything else.

Yun Qianliang nodded her head, ”Shui Qin, when Xiao Cui went there, did you ever leave the tonifying soup because of her?”

”Yes, yesterday …” Just as Shui Qin opened her mouth, Xiao Cui fiercely cut her off, ”Shui Qin, I'm kind enough to send you the medicine, if you dare slander me as someone who poisoned the soup, I won't let you be complacent.”

Shui Qin hid behind Yun Qianliang in fear, and spoke in a low voice, ”You did indeed push me away.”

”Madam is clear that there is a problem with the soup that Shui Qin made herself, but purposefully gave it to your servant.” Xiao Cui lifted her skirt and knelt down.

”I will definitely understand, but before that, I have something that I am very curious about.” Yun Qianliang sneered, and used his spoon to stir up the Silver Eared Red Jujube soup, and when the porcelain met, a clear and crisp sound came out, Yun Qianliang's ice cold voice sounded out, ”I summoned the kitchen to investigate about the poison in the tonifying soup, and everyone has yet to leave, so the news naturally will not leak out. How did you know about the poison in the soup?”

Yun Qianliang's voice was light and gentle, yet when Xiao Cui heard it, it was like a huge boulder pressing down on him.

”This … this servant came to listen to some passing servants discussing the matter of domain clearing hall investigating the poisoning.” Xiao Cui tried to defend himself.

”However, I have ordered that the servants in the manor are not to mention the matter of the poison. Otherwise, according to the family rules, if you tell me which servant told you, I will punish you as well.” Yun Qianliang pressed on.