Qu Yao briefly described the assassination attempt. Seeing him looking exhausted, Jun Yilie stopped him from continuing and settled him into his carriage, then sternly ordered everyone to get in and return.
Inside the carriage, Yang Feier looked at the blood-stained and disheveled Yu Xinruo with a hint of a cold smile in her eyes.
Upon returning to the Qu residence, upon learning that Qu Yao was injured, Madam Qu’s face immediately changed color. She urgently called for the family doctor to treat Qu Yao. Jun Yilie reassured Madam Qu and promised that he would send court physicians from the palace as soon as he returned. Only then did he leave with Jun Aoyun and the others.
After they left, the Qu residence was in chaos for half the night. It wasn’t until Qu Yao’s injuries were dressed and he fell into a deep sleep that Madam Qu and the household servants went to rest, leaving only Yu Xinru to watch over him.
Looking at Qu Yao’s pale, handsome face, Yu Xinru’s eyes showed a look of pity. She sat by the bed, gently stroking his jet-black long hair, thinking of the first time he had called her name tenderly and the warmth in his gaze, feeling delighted in her heart. “Miss, it’s enough for us servants to take care of Young Master Qu. Why must you tire yourself out doing it?”
Xing’er brought over a bowl of hot porridge, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.
Originally, Madam Qu had arranged for several maidservants to attend to Qu Yao, but the young miss insisted on doing it herself. Seeing how exhausted the young miss looked, even Xing’er and Xiao Li felt a bit sorry.
Yu Xinru’s eyes sparkled as she smiled at her, with a teasing tone, “If it were someone else, I certainly wouldn’t take the trouble to look after them myself. But he’s not just anyone; he’s my future husband, so I have to keep a close watch. Although I’ve only been in the Qu residence for a few days, I’m aware that there are many here who want to become the wife of Young Master Qu. I don’t want anyone to take advantage of this situation.”
“Miss, you are considerate!” Xiao Li rolled her eyes and handed over a bowl of hot porridge, “You’re a grand princess, both smart and beautiful. How could those maidservants compete with you for your husband?”
Yu Xinru took the porridge bowl, took a sip, and looked at her with a smile, slowly saying, “By the way, I remember when I first met Qu Yao, you two maidservants seemed to have said you liked him.”
Xing’er and Xiao Li exchanged glances and quickly knelt before Yu Xinru. “Miss, please forgive us. We were just joking at the time and never meant to have any improper thoughts about someone Miss likes!”
Yu Xinru smiled and helped them up. “Don’t worry, I don’t doubt your intentions. I just said it casually. I know your loyalty to me. Alright, go get some rest. I can manage here alone.”
“Thank you, Miss!” Xiao Li and Xing’er sighed in relief and were about to leave when Yu Xinru said, “Oh, and in the future, keep an eye out for anyone in the residence who covets Young Master Qu. Report to me immediately. I must cut off any thoughts they have about my little Yao Yao.”
“Little Yao Yao?” Hearing this affectionate term, Xing’er and Xiao Li shuddered. Young Master Qu had never shown much warmth towards the miss, and her thick skin was truly impressive…
However, they realized that the miss’s cunning was to scare them first and then use that to make them spies. It seemed that the miss didn’t fully trust them yet.
Feeling a bit saddened, they were already devoted to the miss. Even if she asked them to die for her, they wouldn’t flinch…
Qu Yao had not left the residence for over half a month. During this time, he had been resting at home, and his injury was almost healed. Throughout this period, Yu Xinru stayed with him every day, caring for him with tenderness and warmth, which moved him deeply. Whenever she wasn’t around, he felt a pang of longing, eagerly awaiting the appearance of that charming person.
During this time, Jun Yilie visited him a few times, but each time, he was driven away by Yu Xinru. However, whenever Qu Yao saw Jun Yilie and Yu Xinru bickering like a pair of adversaries, he felt a twinge of unease. He noticed that while Jun Yilie claimed to be visiting him, his attention was always completely focused on Yu Xinru after talking to him for a few moments.
In the afternoon, with the heat having subsided, the backyard of the Qu residence was peaceful and serene.
Yu Xinru joked with Qu Yao for a while and then went back to her room to bring him her special ice-cold pears to cool him down. Qu Yao watched her figure disappear and then closed his eyes to rest, savoring the happiness he had never experienced before.
Qian’er, holding a bowl of refreshing chrysanthemum tea, stood in a concealed spot, watching Yu Xinru leave with resentment before putting on a sweet smile and walking towards Qu Yao.
That princess is so annoying. She used the excuse of personally taking care of Young Master Qu to reassign me, his maid, to serve the old lady. What’s worse, she monopolizes Young Master Qu all day long, not allowing me to approach him, and the old lady doesn’t care about this at all! I used to serve Young Master Qu’s every need, including making his bed and dressing him, but now I can’t even get close to him. It’s infuriating!
“Young Master, I’ve made a cup of chrysanthemum tea for you. Would you like to have some to quench your thirst?” Qian’er said with a smile in her voice.
Qu Yao opened his eyes, saw her, and nodded slightly. “No need, Xinru has brought me ice-cold pears.” He paused and added, “I heard you are now serving my mother. Since she’s in poor health, you should take extra care.”
With that, he closed his eyes again.
Qian’er, holding the tea, was unsure whether to stay or leave, feeling awkward.
At that moment, Yu Xinru excitedly brought over the ice-cold pears and, upon seeing Qian’er standing next to Qu Yao, was momentarily surprised. Her eyes then narrowed slightly as she approached with a smile and greeted, “Oh, Qian’er, you seem to be quite free now. Aren’t you supposed to be serving the old lady?”
Seeing Yu Xinru, Qian’er’s expression changed. She forced a smile and said, “Yes, but the old lady is resting now. I was afraid Young Master might feel warm, so I specially made a cup of chrysanthemum tea for him.”
“I don’t like chrysanthemum tea,” Qu Yao had already opened his eyes at the sound of Yu Xinru’s voice, picked up a piece of the ice-cold pear, and took a bite. His face immediately brightened with a smile. “I didn’t expect your skill to be so good. I’ve never had anything this delicious before.”
“If it’s good, have more,” Yu Xinru picked up a piece of pear and smilingly held it to his lips. Qu Yao did not refuse, opened his mouth to eat it, and then picked up another piece to feed her.
Seeing their intimate and unconcerned behavior, Qian’er felt her hands trembling with anger, holding the tray.
Yu Xinru suddenly turned to her with a smile. “He doesn’t like chrysanthemum tea, but I do. So let’s consider this cup of tea as served to me.” She then directly took the cup of tea and drank it in one go, praising, “Not bad. Qian’er, your chrysanthemum tea is well made.”
“Princess, this tea…” Qian’er looked at her with a strange expression and a hint of fear in her eyes.
Yu Xinru narrowed her eyes, “What’s wrong? Can’t I drink the tea made by Qian’er?”
“No, no. Qian’er is just a maid in the residence. Serving the princess is what I should do,” Qian’er quickly forced a stiff smile.
“That’s more like it. Alright, you’re dismissed. There’s no need for you to stay here.”
“Yes, princess.”
Qian’er gritted her teeth, responded, and quickly retreated with the tray.
Watching her hurriedly leave, Yu Xinru’s lips curled into a smug smile. “So naive, trying to compete with me. You’re still too inexperienced.”
“That’s so infuriating! What a damned princess! She’s just a scoundrel!”
Back in her room, Qian’er threw the tea cup and burst into anger.
Seeing this, Yan’er quickly came over and asked with concern, “Qian’er, weren’t you bringing tea to Young Master? Why are you so angry?”
“It’s that fox spirit, Yu Xinru!” Qian’er said angrily. “The cup of tea I prepared for Young Master was taken by that fox spirit! What’s more infuriating is that I clearly remember Young Master used to love chrysanthemum tea, but he said he didn’t like it just now! Isn’t this deliberately embarrassing me?”
“What? The princess drank the tea?” Yan’er was shocked and frowned, “What should we do? Didn’t you put drugs in the tea?”
“What else?”
“What else can be done? It’s just giving that fox spirit a freebie!” Qian’er said angrily, sitting down on the bed.
Just thinking about how that woman would be in a frenzy in an hour, clinging to Young Master and seeking affection, made her stomach ache with frustration.
Seeing her angry, Yan’er’s eyes flashed, and she patted Qian’er’s shoulder, smiling and comforting her, “Don’t be so upset. Since that woman drank the drug, we can use this opportunity to smear her reputation and make Young Master dislike her.”
“How so?” Qian’er looked at her expectantly, knowing that Yan’er was always full of schemes.
Yan’er smiled mysteriously and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “If she’s in a frenzy when the Young Master is not around, or even with another man?”
Qian’er immediately understood. Someone who has ingested the drug without a timely antidote will be mentally disoriented when the effects kick in, and they will cling to any man for affection. If Yu Xinru ends up in bed with another man, Young Master, who values his purity, would surely be disgusted and stop caring about her.
“Yan’er, you’re so clever! Thank you so much!” Qian’er beamed with gratitude, then went out to find a man to ruin Yu Xinru’s reputation.
Watching Qian’er’s figure disappear from the doorway, Yan’er’s beautiful face showed a trace of a contemptuous smile.
What a foolish woman!
Loveguy On CFRFGC Chapter 17