Chapter 444: Show You the Proof
Lady Li’s eyes suddenly widened, as she abruptly turned to look at Liu Xianxian, seeming to understand a great deal more.
A shudder went through Liu Xianxian under her scrutiny, and she stammered out, "Why are you looking at me, sister-in-law? You’re not letting her stir you up with a few words, are you? I’ve been caring for you relentlessly these days, and all for nothing!"
Having said this, Liu Xianxian broke into a pitiable sob, making it seem as though Lady Li was the one who was ungrateful and treacherous.
Lady Li could not help but recall Liu Xianxian’s meticulous care during the past few days, her own eyes filled with hesitation.
Bai Ruozhu sneered. "Nursing you with such painstaking dedication, but how could that absolve her from suspicion? It only made it easier to commit the deed," she said.
"What do you mean? Are you saying I did it? How could that be possible?" Liu Xianxian exclaimed.
The old Lady Li also frowned, saying, "Xianxian and her cousin-sister have always been close. How could she harm her? Miss Bai, don’t make such accusations without evidence!"
Bai Ruozhu started to laugh, "Didn’t I say it when I came in? Doing a bad deed leaves a distinct smell on one’s body, one that cannot be hidden."
"What do you mean?" Li Shunsheng asked anxiously.
"Li sir, may I borrow a pen and paper? I’ll write down a few types of medicinal materials. If you send someone trustworthy to buy them, you will understand. Oh, and go to the Du Family’s Pharmacy, tell them it’s for me, they will give it to you for free," Bai Ruozhu said.
Li Shunsheng quickly ordered someone to fetch a pen and paper. Bai Ruozhu quickly wrote down a few medicinal ingredients and a note before handing it to Li Shunsheng, all the while blocking Liu Xianxian’s line of sight with her body.
Even though Bai Ruozhu had accidentally overheard Liu Xianxian admitting that her poison had come from her master, she wasn’t sure if Liu Xianxian knew anything about medicinal theory.
Li Shunsheng received the note and bowed to Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, I am in your debt for today’s matter and will surely return the favour."
Bai Ruozhu nonchalantly waved her hand, "It’s no bother. Lady Li was once my patient. Consider this as me fulfilling my responsibility to her."
Lady Li was slightly dazed, but when she heard Bai Ruozhu bringing up her case, she snapped back to attention. She turned to ask Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, is it possible for my poison to be removed?"
"Yes, but I will need to prepare a medication. I will have the antidote delivered to you tomorrow. However, you must absolutely prevent anyone who might poison you from contacting you. After all, poisoning someone is far easier than healing them," Bai Ruozhu said, her face splitting into a sardonic smile.
"You..." Liu Xianxian, wanting to curse Bai Ruozhu, was interrupted by Bai Ruozhu, "Quiet! Talking more is pointless. The facts will speak for themselves."
Because the person sent out had not returned yet, the room descended into an eerie silence. After some contemplation, Li Shunsheng said, "Why don’t we all go and have some tea in the garden? The sun is good today, sitting in the garden basking in the sun would also be nice."
Bai Ruozhu nodded. To Lady Li, she said, "Lady should come too. You are poisoned, not freezing, wind is not a problem for you. In fact, soaking in the sun could make you feel better."
Lady Li understood that Bai Ruozhu was trying to keep her from the threat of further poisoning. She gave Bai Ruozhu an appreciative smile and joined the others in the yard.
The maid immediately began serving tea and pastries. Bai Zepei and Jiang Yichun appeared leisurely, while everyone from the Li family was gloomy.
Before too long, the trustworthy person that Li Shunsheng had dispatched came back, he handed a packet of powdered medicine to Li Shunsheng, saying, "Sir, it’s all done. The shopkeeper at Du’s Pharmacy said to tell Miss Bai to rest assured, everything has been taken care of thoroughly."
Bai Ruozhu took the packet of medicine and inspected it. A smile bloomed on her face. Shopkeeper Zhou had done a dependable job. The medicine was well grounded into fine powder.
Liu Xianxian and Lady Li, who were standing nearby, saw the smile on Bai Ruozhu’s face and felt a chill run down their spines. They suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
Before anyone could react, Bai Ruozhu suddenly threw a handful of drug powder. Everyone froze, their heads and faces coated.
Jiang Yichun moved slightly but managed to restrain himself. He stared at Bai Ruozhu helplessly, but his eyes were filled with doting.
Bai Ruozhu almost chastised him for being silly – he had no suspicion, so he could just avoid it. Why didn’t he dodge?
But she knew he was standing up for her through his actions.
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Bai Ruozhu.
The elderly Lady Li got some in her eyes and started screaming: "What are you doing? Are you trying to kill us? Have we been poisoned by you?"
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow. To Li Shunsheng, she said, "This drug powder is specially formulated for Lady Li, who has been suffering from full-body fatigue due to poisoning. Anyone who has come into contact with the poison, such as the poisoner, will have some residue on their bodies. If sprinkled with my powder, it will turn red, and it’s tough to wash off."
Everyone checked themselves before inspecting one another. They all noticed a few red spots on the back of Liu Xianxian’s hand.
Liu Xianxian noticed too. She jumped in shock and tried to rub them off, but it didn’t work.
"What is this? Are you trying to frame me?" Liu Xianxian yelled, her expression distorted with fury. Where was her calm, chrysanthemum-like demeanor?
But soon, everyone froze yet again because Elder Lady Li’s hand also showed a faint red hue.
Elder Lady Li’s face turned ashen. She stammered, "How can this be? How can this happen?"
Liu Xianxian quickly retorted, "She’s framing us on purpose. All women must turn red, right?"
Bai Ruozhu pointed at Lady Li. "Then why isn’t Lady Li showing any red? She had contact with the poison because you mixed it in her food and drink. That’s why she isn’t red. Isn’t that your doing?"
Without waiting for Liu Xianxian to respond, Bai Ruozhu continued, "Alright, let’s end this once and for all. Call all the maids and servants in the yard."
Officer Li understood instantly and quickly ordered everyone to come.
Once everyone had gathered, Bai Ruozhu sprinkled the powder yet again. Many got the powder on them, but nobody turned red. And they were all women. How would Liu Xianxian explain this?
Officer Li breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, no one else from his residence was involved. He waved his hand, dismissing the servants. But he sternly warned them to keep their mouths shut and not spread rumors.
Once everyone had left, Officer Li glared coldly at Liu Xianxian, asking, "Cousin, how would you explain this?"
It was the first time Liu Xianxian had been under such a cold stare from her cousin. Her heart shattered, and she disbelief at him. Didn’t he have any feelings for her?
"Cousin, don’t believe her. Everything is her decision. She must be trying to frame me. Look, isn’t Auntie’s hand also red? It’s Bai Ruozhu who wants to frame us!" Liu Xianxian continued to argue.
Aunt Li was trying to figure out an excuse, how to bail out Liu Xianxian, but she did not expect her niece to drag her down without any hesitation. She caught a glimpse of Bai Ruozhu’s mocking smile, sending shivers down her spine. She should have known, she was being dragged down by Xianxian. Was she brought in today just to be a shield?
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The fourth update is here. That’s it for today. Mouka stayed up till nearly five in the morning last night. I’m off to sleep now, feeling so sleepy...