Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Caught

“What you said makes sense.” Madam Fu nodded, but it was not appropriate to alarm the guests.

Madam Fu had no choice but to ask Nanny Yu to take Qiu Li to quietly check among the guests.

The servants brought by the guests were naturally following closely and were usually accounted for.

If someone was missing from a family, it could be noticed, and they could adapt to confirm the servant’s whereabouts.

Nanny Yu accepted the order and went with Qiu Li to the gathering.

Fu Shinian hurried to check on Fu Mingzhu.

Fu Mingzhu had taken the medicine, which included something to help her sleep, so she would wake up later and suffer less.

So when Fu Shinian arrived, Fu Mingzhu was still sleeping.

Aunt Cheng was watching over Fu Mingzhu.

“How is Sister?” Fu Shinian asked as she walked over.

Hua Yu brought a stool to the bedside for Fu Shinian.

After Fu Shinian sat down, Aunt Cheng said, “She just woke up and drank her medicine, then fell back to sleep.”

Aunt Cheng felt uncomfortable, “Why does all this trouble keep finding Mingzhu?”

“This child hasn’t had a moment of peace these two years. First, she was manipulated against, but fortunately, the Marquis Changping’s household protected her, replaced the people, and prevented Mingzhu from being tricked. Then the engagement was broken off, and recently, with you, they were nearly hit by a horse, and today again…” Aunt Cheng’s eyes reddened, a hint of hatred in her gaze.

“As I sat here just now, I thought carefully. During these incidents, Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing were present each time.” Aunt Cheng looked at Fu Shinian, “I can’t help but suspect them.”

“It’s not just you, Auntie, I suspect them too.” Fu Shinian said, “You’re right, what are the odds that every time something happens, they are present?”

“Today, after Sister drank that tea, Xiao Fengxing showed up not long after. If Little General Gu hadn’t appeared, Qiu Li wouldn’t have stopped Xiao Fengxing; wouldn’t it have been…” Thinking of this, Fu Shinian was filled with anger.

“You’re right.” Aunt Cheng’s face was filled with more hatred, “They are despicable! Why can’t they let Mingzhu be happy while they live their lives? Mingzhu has long had no relations with them. They could go their separate ways, what do they gain from this!”

“You said it, Auntie. They just can’t stand Sister being well.” Fu Shinian said coldly, “Originally, when Sister was engaged to Xiao Fengxing, everyone in the capital envied her, saying Sister was reaching high. Yet Xiao Fengxing never spoke a word to defend Sister. He likely thought of it that way too, feeling aggrieved being engaged to Sister.”

“Plotting for the Cheng family’s wealth, but feeling self-pity simultaneously.”

Aunt Cheng was shocked, “Was he originally after the Cheng family’s wealth?”

“I only realized it afterward.” Fu Shinian said, “The Marquis’s health is improving, and Xiao Fengxing’s hope of obtaining the Marquis position becomes more distant. To climb up, he aligned with the Second Prince. The Second Prince, trying to seize the position, surely needs substantial financial support.”

At this point, Aunt Cheng understood.

“After the engagement was broken off, without the Cheng family’s support, Xiao Fengxing hasn’t been valued by the Second Prince. Yet he holds himself in high regard, always feeling Sister reached high. Especially now that Sister has been made a Noble lady, and is engaged to Little General Gu. Little General Gu, being a legitimate heir, with real power, is far superior to him.”

“Now, he remains a subordinate son of the Marquis household, with hope of inheriting the title becoming increasingly slim. He hasn’t passed the civil examination, so without prestige, it can be said he has achieved nothing. His reputation in the capital has also declined; he is no longer the sought-after gentleman from the past.”

“Conversely, Sister is getting better and better. With Xiao Fengxing’s narrow-mindedness, I don’t believe he can swallow this.” Fu Shinian said, “And Lin Qingqing has never missed a chance to plot against Sister.”

Seeing Aunt Cheng’s growing hatred, Fu Shinian held Aunt Cheng’s hand, “Auntie, do not act rashly.”

“The Marquis has already tied up Xiao Fengxing, handing him to Little General Gu for personal interrogation.” Fu Shinian said, “As for Lin Qingqing, the Marquis household will handle it.”

“The Marquis household won’t let them off.” Fu Shinian said, “Auntie, just wait.”

Fu Shinian worried Aunt Cheng might act impulsively out of a mother’s protectiveness and contact the Cheng family to intervene.

“Auntie, in the end, the Cheng family is just a business household, even if an imperial merchant.” Fu Shinian reminded, “Xiao Fengxing, though currently without prestige or the Marquis’s support, still leans on the Second Prince. If you contact the Cheng family to do something and implicate them, it would play into Xiao Fengxing’s plans. If he seizes the chance to strike the Cheng family, what will happen? We may also not be able to protect them.”

“Leave everything to the Marquis and Little General Gu.” Fu Shinian said, “Don’t let the Cheng family get involved.”

“Sister is now engaged to Little General Gu. If it turns out Xiao Fengxing acted, daring to involve the General Mansion’s future daughter-in-law, the Gu family won’t spare him!” Fu Shinian said, “The Gu family can be trusted.”

“I understand now.” Aunt Cheng nodded.

Originally, she was indeed planning to consult Cheng Yuanshan.

Now, with Fu Shinian’s reminder, Aunt Cheng suppressed the thought immediately.

She almost dragged the Cheng family into it.

“Little General Gu can be trusted. After the incident, although he saved Sister, he still adhered to the rules.” Fu Shinian said, “Knocked Sister out before bringing her back.”

“Even though they are engaged, if something really happened before marriage… it wouldn’t be good for Sister’s reputation.” Fu Shinian said, “Little General Gu, in such moments, still prioritized Sister. It shows he is reliable.”

“You’re right.” Aunt Cheng nodded, “I also find Little General Gu quite rare.”

“In that case, I’ll trust it to Little General Gu and the Marquis to investigate first.” Aunt Cheng said.

Fu Shinian nodded, thinking that with Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing’s personalities, they’re confident they won’t leave evidence, even if suspected.

Prior incidents like the runaway horse, even Gu Huaizhi and Xiao Chengyu found no evidence linking them to Xiao Fengxing and Lin Qingqing.

But Fu Shinian was not surprised at all.

Xiao Fengxing kept Xiao Chengyu’s health fluctuating without anyone finding a trace of poison, showing his methods.

This time, Fu Shinian feared they would still find nothing.

Fu Shinian concealed her gaze, asking Aunt Cheng to stay with Fu Mingzhu while she went to see if they had found the servant.

As Fu Shinian came to Madam Fu’s side, shortly after, there was suddenly a commotion ahead.

It was Jing Lai and Gu Yunze’s deputy, Zhao Chang, each holding someone in their grip.

As they approached, Zhao Chang surprisingly held Chang Tai, Xiao Fengxing’s subordinate.

“It’s her!” Qiu Li, having failed to find anyone among the guests, returned with Nanny Yu, pointing at the maid Jing Lai was dragging, “She was the one who served the tea to the young lady!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep