Ao Li’er felt that it was a pity when she thought of Qiao Jiqing. She could only blame her brother. Ao Heng really didn’t know how to cherish her and only cared about imperial power. How could the high-minded and refined Qiao Jiqing betray him? What was worse was that the two children were also implicated!
Ao Li’er was thinking about the past, so she naturally didn’t notice that Qiao Yanqi’s expression had changed.
Qiao Yanqi didn’t want to get married at all and hurriedly tried to change the topic. Back then, in order not to get married, she had even used her connections and was almost discovered by Brother Hui. If all her efforts went down the drain now, what would happen to her?! She had been waiting for Brother Hui for so long! It was impossible for her to marry someone else!
However, before Qiao Yanqi could think of changing the topic, a servant ran over anxiously. “Your Highness, for some reason, a few ladies are itching all over and have red spots all over their bodies. They are preparing to go back.”
Ao Li’er was puzzled. A few people? It probably wasn’t the sudden flare up of an illness, but they hadn’t entered yet, nor had they eaten or drunk anything in the princess’s residence…
The Eldest Princess asked, “Have you asked the doctor to take a look?”
“The doctor has already examined them. He said that it’s because… their bodies are dirty, so…” The servant who said this was a woman in her early twenties. She recalled how the doctor felt embarrassed for them when he said that. After all, who would feel itchy all over because their bodies were too dirty? They even had red spots… How lazy and dirty did one have to be for that to happen?! They looked glamorous on the surface, but they didn’t even take showers! One had to know that these people were all rich and noble. Turned out that it was all for show!
When Ao Li’er heard this, she subconsciously frowned in puzzlement. She asked who they were and prepared to let them go back first.
When Qiao Yanqi heard the servant’s words, her eyes lit up and she hurriedly said, “There’s something fishy! I think they must have been poisoned. They’re either descendants of generations of noble families or family members of important officials in the country. How can they not even take showers? I’m sure someone did something!”
“What do you mean?” Ao Li’er was puzzled. Even the doctor hadn’t confirmed that they were poisoned. Qiao Yanqi had only heard a few names and hadn’t even seen them, so why was she so certain that they were poisoned?
Qiao Yanqi started to lie without batting an eye. “Aunt! How can there be such a coincidence? I saw the families the servants mentioned when I entered just now. They just criticized Xu Qing a little! Now, they’re all itching? Why are the people who didn’t discuss her fine? Moreover, I’ve heard that when Xu Qing was in Nine Lakes Town, she had an extremely good relationship with the famous Mr. Bei Shu. They often did business together. Mr. Bei Shu’s medical skills are superb and he often gave Xu Qing some poison to protect herself. Those poisons have the same effect and dissipate in the air. They’re amazing! There are even rumors that Xu Qing’s three children are Mr. Bei Shu���s…”
When she heard this, Ao Li’er’s expression instantly turned ugly and she slowly clenched her fists.
Qiao Yanqi knew her aunt the best. She was already so old, but she was still so naive! Seeing that her goal had been achieved, she was overjoyed. Thinking of Xu Qing’s outcome, she tried her best to suppress the smile on her face, but she still acted worried for Qiao Yanhui.
The small interlude at the door didn’t affect the progress of the Eldest Princess’s banquet. As Xu Qing looked at the various colors of chrysanthemums placed in the huge garden, she was a little amazed. It had to be known that some rare species were difficult to nurture. Nurturing one type was already rare, let alone hundreds of types. This wasn’t something that could be done with just money.
It was obvious that the Eldest Princess liked chrysanthemums very much!
“Mom, these chrysanthemums are so beautiful. There are so many colors.” Xu Hanxue leaned into Xu Qing’s arms and looked around.
“Which color of chrysanthemum do you like?” Xu Tingdeng asked. He wanted to get his father to plant it in the garden since his sister liked it.
“I like spider lilies.” Xu Hanxue liked the spider lilies planted around the villa in Anning Village’s back mountain very much.
“Then let’s go back and plant spider lilies in the garden too!” Xu Tingdeng said with his head raised.
“You’re the best.” Xu Hanxue grinned. The four of them looked at each other and smiled as a blissful atmosphere enveloped them.