Chapter 157: A Bad News

“Alright, I won’t say anything!”

Madam Lu agreed but still asked:

“Are you sure it’s not because the medicines reacted badly with each other?”

“No!”

Ye Xin Ran replied firmly, “But it’s also possible the doctor prescribed the wrong medicine.”

“I’ll let you know once I have the results.”

“Okay!”

Leng Qing Yu nodded cautiously.

This sudden situation took everyone by surprise.

The originally warm atmosphere had turned heavy.

After resting for a while, Lu Chang Qing accompanied Leng Qing Yu to the carriage.

On the way home, Leng Qing Yu couldn’t help but ask Lu Chang Qing, “Chang Qing, do you think someone in this household might want to harm me? Is it the old madam?”

She thought the old madam was the most likely person.

When she first married into the Marquis’s family, the old madam didn’t like her at all.

Because her family didn’t have an official background, it didn’t help much with the Marquis’s promotion.

Fortunately, Leng Qing Yu’s family was wealthy, and she had a good business mind. The shops she brought as part of her dowry were well-managed, easing the family’s financial burden for daily expenses.

Only then did the old madam start to change her attitude.

However, in recent years, Lu Ting En had not taken a concubine, and the family lacked descendants, which led the old madam to subtly complain. She blamed it on the jealousy of the main wife, Leng Qing Yu, which was why the Marquis hadn’t taken another woman.

In noble families, such matters were not publicly discussed.

“The old madam could be a possibility, but mother, aside from her, what about the rest of the family?”

Lu Chang Qing thought for a moment and said.

“Apart from her, the only ones left are your father and your siblings. The other uncles and brothers have already moved out and live separately, so even if they had bad intentions, they wouldn’t have the opportunity to act. As for Doctor Tian, he’s someone I brought from the Leng family. He would never harm me.”

Leng Qing Yu slowly analyzed, seeming troubled.

Seeing that his mother would never suspect his father, Lu Chang Qing didn’t continue.

Over the years, his parents’ relationship had been the talk of the capital.

If it weren’t for his sister saying that his mother had been poisoned for years, he wouldn’t have suspected his father.

If it was really as he thought, that his father had been pretending to be loving on the surface but secretly poisoning his mother behind her back, it would be too terrifying.

“Mother, just remember, after we go back, don’t tell anyone about this. Wait for the results from my sister before making any conclusions, alright?”

“I understand. I’ve already promised Xin Ran, and I’ll keep my word.”

They returned home.

Following Ye Xin Ran’s instructions, Leng Qing Yu only took “Riyian” every day. The other medicines, when served, she had the maid put them aside, finding an opportunity to pour them into the bamboo tube that Lu Chang Qing had prepared.

Lu Chang Qing also collected the leftover medicine dregs and juices every day, secretly disposing of them when he had the chance.

Three days later, after not drinking bowl after bowl of medicinal soup, Leng Qing Yu’s spirit improved significantly.

Even her younger sister, Leng Qing Xin, noticed and complimented her: “Sister, you look better these past few days. Seems like the feng shui in Yun Tong County is good for you.”

“Yes, I feel much better myself.”

Leng Qing Yu touched her cheek, “Especially after using the Snowy Skin Ointment you gave me, my skin feels much smoother.”

Leng Qing Xin mysteriously said, “You don’t know this, but that Snowy Skin Ointment was made by Xin Ran. Now, with the help of Yong Le Hall’s pharmacy, she’s selling it in the capital.

I think it won’t be long before people in the capital start using it too.”

“It was made by Xin Ran?” Leng Qing Yu was surprised.

She had been in poor health when she first arrived, so Leng Qing Xin hadn’t told her many things.

Today, seeing that she seemed a little better, Leng Qing Xin pulled her aside and said, “I was still wondering before, how could she, a young girl, be so good at business! Now I understand, she’s one of us from the Leng family. Since you’re so capable, it’s no surprise your child is just as promising.”

The Leng family, starting with Old Master Leng, had only one person in each generation who was good at business.

In their generation, it was Leng Qing Yu who inherited the family business.

Looking ahead to the next generation, Lu Chang Qing and Wei Jing Yi had no interest in business, so Leng Qing Xin and Leng Qing Yu had pinned their hopes on Lu Zhi Yi.

Although Lu Zhi Yi was diligent and willing to learn about business, her natural talent wasn’t even close to that of her mother.

The two sisters had once lamented that the family business, started by Old Master Leng, might be doomed in this generation.

Who would have thought that Ye Xin Ran would emerge as a talent, seemingly gifted in business.

Having said that, Leng Qing Xin then asked, “Sister, have you thought about it? Will the family’s cloth shop business really be handed over to that girl, Zhi Yi?”

Leng Qing Yu knew she couldn’t avoid this question.

After thinking for a while, she replied, “Although the Leng family has quite a few businesses, only the cloth shop business is spread throughout the south and north. We didn’t have any options before, but now with Xin Ran’s abilities and with Chang Qing’s health improving, I think it’s time for me to reconsider.”

Leng Qing Xin nodded, “People’s hearts are hard to read. Sister, you should think it through carefully.”

The two were chatting when outside, Lu Zhi Yi had already overheard most of the conversation.

She clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes already glistening with tears.

“Miss.”

Chun Tao, seeing someone coming toward them, quickly alerted Lu Zhi Yi.

Lu Zhi Yi waved her hand to signal her, and the two hurriedly went to the other side.

Inside the room, Leng Qing Xin continued, “Before, Xin Ran would often come to treat me.”

“Now that the relationship between us has been revealed, she doesn’t want to come back. I don’t want to ask her to come anymore.”

“The doctor mentioned in the letter was her, and I was still thinking about asking her to check your health.”

“I’ve already seen her!”

Leng Qing Yu replied.

Leng Qing Xin was pleased at first, “What did she say? Is your health in a bad condition? I’m sure Xin Ran will have a way to help you.”

“Mm!”

Leng Qing Yu then remembered her poisoning issue.

But this matter couldn’t be revealed just yet.

So, she casually responded, “She checked my pulse and said the condition is complex. It will take some time to figure out the right remedy. I still have some time to stay here, so there’s no rush.

But I’m not sure if the jewelry I ordered in the city has been finished. I wanted to send it to Xin Ran as soon as possible.”

“The weather is just right today. If you’re in a hurry, I’ll accompany you to check on it,” Leng Qing Xin said as she called for the maid to prepare the carriage. The two of them rode together to the city.

Meanwhile…

Lu Chang Qing didn’t go to school today.

He brought the leftover medicine dregs and broth from yesterday to Yun Bian village.

This was the last type of medicine, and his sister had said the previous ones were fine. He wasn’t sure if the issue lay with this particular one.

With a nervous heart, Lu Chang Qing arrived at the village.

He never expected that as soon as he entered, he would receive some bad news.