The Duke is poisoned!
This time, Steward Han summoned everyone.
Not only the Chu Grand Tutor's family, but even Second Master and Third Master were invited!
"The master's medicine has always been handled by Miss Li'er. The medicine the master took today was also delivered by Miss Li'er!"
"Steward Han, what do you mean by that?" Chu Qianli stepped forward, furious, "Are you saying I poisoned my grandfather?"
Steward Han said coldly, "I don't know. I only know that all the medicine the master used was arranged by Miss Li'er. Why is the master like this now?"
All eyes fell squarely on Chu Qianli.
Before, Steward Han and Chu Qianli had been holding the Duke hostage—well, that's how it felt.
They didn't even have a chance to see the master.
Why were they fighting amongst themselves today?
The Chu Grand Tutor glared at Chu Qianli and immediately asked the doctor inside, "How is my father?"
After a long while, the doctor came out from inside.
He looked at everyone, his gaze finally landing on the Chu Grand Tutor.
The doctor said, "The master was poisoned with a slow-acting poison. It seems the dosage was small, so it looked like a chronic illness. In reality, he was being poisoned for years."
"What?"
Everyone was instantly stunned!
The Duke wasn't sick, but had been poisoned all along!
How could this be?
"The reason the master's condition suddenly worsened is because the poison administered by that person recently increased in dosage."
"Chu Qianli!" The Chu Grand Tutor strode forward, raising his hand to slap Chu Qianli across the face!
"You've been poisoning Father all this time! You wicked, lowly wretch!"
Chu Qianli retreated, easily dodging the slap.
She said coldly, "You accuse me of poisoning, where is the evidence? Why can you convict me without any proof? Am I truly your biological daughter?"
What kind of biological father would treat his child like this?
She truly doubted if she was his daughter.
The Chu Grand Tutor paused, then immediately said angrily, "The medicine Father has been taking during this period was prescribed by you!"
"That still doesn't prove I was the one who poisoned him!"
"But during this period, I meticulously checked everything the master ate and drank. Only your medicine, I never had the chance to inspect."
Steward Han said with great indignation, "Regardless, Miss Li'er cannot clear her suspicion for now. Han Zhan, apprehend her and lock her up. We will decide after the master wakes up!"
Steward Han was a trusted confidant of the Duke. In this household, as long as Chu Buqu was in charge, Steward Han held a position second to none.
Even the Chu Grand Tutor dared not refute his words.
Han Zhan, however, looked at Chu Qianli, then at Steward Han, appearing somewhat troubled, "Father, this matter has not been cleared up..."
"Apprehend her!" Steward Han roared.
Han Zhan, with no other choice, walked up to Chu Qianli and said expressionlessly, "If you didn't do it, the Duke will clear your name when he wakes up."
"I said I didn't do it, and I didn't!"
"Then don't resist!" Chu Feixue also hurried over and said loudly, "If you resist, it means you are guilty."
"I'm just afraid that if you lock me up, all the blame will truly be pinned on me."
Chu Qianli suddenly strode towards the inner hall, "I want to see Grandfather."
"Han Zhan, apprehend her!" Steward Han and the Chu Grand Tutor urged anxiously.
Han Zhan, with no choice, formed his fingers into a claw and immediately lunged for Chu Qianli's shoulder.
Chu Qianli raised her hand to counterattack.
Han Zhan said urgently, "Don't resist, I don't want to hurt you by mistake."
Chu Qianli still refused to yield and sent another palm strike.
Han Zhan shifted his footing, moving behind her, and his long fingers landed on her nape.
Chu Qianli felt her entire body go limp, instantly losing all strength.
Han Zhan twisted her hands behind her back. Seeing her glare at him fiercely, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
"I will find out the truth..."
"Let go of me!" Chu Qianli struggled forcefully, completely disbelieving him.
Han Zhan's mood was heavy. The palm holding her wrist was not heavy, but it prevented her from breaking free.
"Don't worry, my father will not wrong any good person."
Chu Qianli fell silent, only glaring at him, her chest heaving.
Steward Han said sternly, "Take her away!"
... That evening, the atmosphere in the entire Duke's mansion remained heavy.
Steward Han invited the Duchess, the Chu Grand Tutor, and Second and Third Masters to discuss matters in the Duke's bedchamber for the entire afternoon.
He kept repenting for having trusted Chu Qianli.
But now, with the Duke still unconscious, everyone's heart was heavy.
The strangest thing was that after Chu Qianli returned today, the guards from Prince Xuan's mansion in the Duke's courtyard had all withdrawn.
Now, their Duke's mansion seemed to have returned to peace.
Although the servants outside didn't know what had happened, they were all speculating.
"It must be because of Chu Qianli! Our Duke's mansion was fine before. It was her who randomly invited outsiders and provoked Prince Xuan, causing this household to become so chaotic!"
"Now that Prince Xuan's people have withdrawn, does it mean Prince Xuan has abandoned this woman?"
"I heard Prince Xuan is selecting a consort, so Chu Qianli was likely cast out."
"This morning, I also heard that Prince Xuan himself escorted her back."
"It was just to save face for the Duke..."
... Qin Liuyan pulled Chu Huaiyu back to her room.
Chu Huaiyu said resentfully, "Aunt Qin, why are you looking for me? I am not your daughter!"
Hadn't she told her? Don't look for her when there's nothing important, it would cause misunderstandings.
Qin Liuyan felt a deep sense of unease.
She couldn't help but say in a hoarse voice, "Huaiyu, there's no one here, won't you even call me 'Mother'?"
"What are you talking about? You are Chu Qianli's mother, what does that have to do with me?" Chu Huaiyu's expression darkened, clearly angered.
Qin Liuyan felt an indescribable sadness.
Looking at Chu Huaiyu again, she could only force herself to suppress her sorrow.
For her daughter's future, she had to endure.
The daughter of a singing girl would never have a future.
This situation now was the best.
Chu Huaiyu, however, thought of something and suddenly said, "Looking at Chu Qianli, she doesn't seem like someone who would poison. She's just a bit mischievous and wicked, how could she harm someone?"
"Huaiyu, one cannot be too kind. You can see a person's face but not their heart. Even though she is beautiful, she..."
"Is she really beautiful?" Chu Huaiyu suddenly interrupted her, her gaze towards Qin Liuyan becoming sharp and cold.
It was even filled with killing intent.
"You think she's beautiful? Where is she beautiful? Tell me!"
"Huaiyu..." Qin Liuyan was taken aback.
Why did her daughter have such a terrifying look in her eyes? Was she mistaken?