Thinking of Concubine Hui, Chu Qiao's heart could not calm down. She firmly believed that if Ruoshui was instigated, it must be Concubine Hui who wanted to get rid of her.
"Ruoshui has committed suicide out of fear of crime. I heard that the reason was that Ruoshui made a mistake a few days ago and was severely scolded by Concubine Hui, who threatened to drive her out of the palace. Ruoshui had a grudge and wanted to take the opportunity to poison Concubine Hui." An.
The song goes on.
Chu Qiao listened with her ears pricked up, feeling that it was really unreasonable. If the water wanted to poison Concubine Hui, why go to such trouble? It could have been done in the Chonghua Palace, but wouldn't it be even more unreliable to go to the Yangxin Palace?
"Why didn't she do it in Chonghua Palace?"
"I'm afraid that if something happens to Concubine Hui in her palace, she won't be able to escape her involvement. By working with Yangxin Palace, you can achieve your goal, and you can find someone to take the blame. You were caught like this."
"Is it that simple?" Chu Qiao asked in a low voice.
"There is no symptom of death now. Otherwise, what can I do? Fortunately, you are fine. But I don't know if you can return to the imperial kitchen after this incident. Xue Wanyue, the director of Shangshi, relapsed because of this incident.
, already bedridden, it has something to do with you."
An Ge's words made Chu Qiao feel anxious and guilty at the same time. She failed to help Xue Wanyue solve her urgent problem, but made her seriously ill.
"I want to go see Mr. Shang Shi," Chu Qiao said softly.
"Okay, I'll take you there."
An Ge did not take Chu Qiao back to Yayuan, but went to Xue Wanyue's residence. The imperial doctor had just left, and the palace maid went down to prepare medicine.
When the young eunuch and the palace maid saw An Ge coming, they both lowered their heads.
"Take her to see the director of Shangshi." An Ge ordered.
"yes."
A palace maid led the way, while An Ge stayed outside, accompanied by a young eunuch serving tea.
The room was filled with a faint fragrance of medicine. Chu Qiao walked into Xue Wanyue's room. Xue Wanyue was lying on the bed, her face was pale and her eyes were slightly closed. The palace maid reported softly.
"Li Chunxiang is here."
"Um."
Xue Wanyue opened her eyes, glanced at Chu Qiao, and then waved her hand to signal the maids to go out. The maids withdrew respectfully, leaving only Chu Qiao and Xue Wanyue in the room.
"I knew that it was definitely not you who did it, but it happened and I couldn't explain it. If I had drank that kumiss too, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to see me now. It's really neglectful..."
"Sir, I'm sorry."
Chu Qiao blamed herself. She was indeed negligent and inexperienced. She didn't know that someone would poison the food if it left the dining room.
"Come closer, I don't have the strength to speak loudly." Xue Wanyue waved to Chu Qiao, who walked to the bed cautiously, still hanging her head.
Xue Wanyue sighed helplessly and whispered.
"It's a pity for your talent. I originally thought that after this state banquet, I would recommend you to my position so that I can recover easily. But now it seems that the empress will not agree. I am afraid that you will not be able to do this either."
Participated.”
"Chunxiang is not so lucky, but Chunxiang still has to thank you for your kindness." Chu Qiao did not expect to cook royal meals for the emperor and empress anymore. She just wanted to know whether she would have a chance to stay in the palace after this disaster. Even if
She was not the one who inflicted this poison, and in everyone's minds, she was an untrustworthy person.
"I will try my best to tell the queen, and I hope you can go back to work in the imperial kitchen. After a few years, when things have calmed down and you have grown up, I will ask you to come back and help me. This Shang
The position of food supervisor... I must find a capable and decent person to take over, otherwise, I really don’t feel at ease.”
Xue Wanyue is well aware of the overt and covert struggles among the ladies in the palace. If the food manager cannot uphold justice, the food in the harem will become a weapon against each other. She will not let her lifelong efforts be in vain.
After hearing these words, Chu Qiao understood Xue Wanyue's worries.
"Chunxiang listens to adults in everything."
"Did you just come out of the prison?" Xue Wanyue looked Chu Qiao up and down and noticed that her hair was a little messy and her clothes were stained with some grass.
"Yes, I heard that you were sick, so I came here as soon as I returned to the palace. Speaking of which, it's all Chunxiang's fault for being shallow and causing harm to you." Chu Qiao sniffed sadly.
"Don't say that, everyone has their youth, and I am the same. I made no less mistakes than you at the beginning, but I always insisted on a fair heart and eventually became the director of Shangshi. You will be the same as me, because
You have talent, intelligence and a pure heart that others don't have."
Xue Wanyue held Chu Qiao's hand and patted it gently.
"No matter what happens, don't give up on yourself and don't twist your heart, otherwise there will really be no turning back."
"Chunxiang remembers it."
Chu Qiao nodded, and Xue Wanyue let go of her hand, lay down, and closed her eyes tiredly. She hoped that the disease would get better before the state banquet. No matter how bad the situation was, she would welcome Mongolia with a smile.
guest.
Chu Qiao retreated, while An Ge was still waiting outside. Seeing that Chu Qiao's expression was not good, he said nothing.
After returning to Yayuan, An Ge did not leave directly, but walked in together. Without saying a word, he personally brought the wood and lit the fire. The room soon became warm.
"You don't have to go back to the imperial dining room for the time being." An Ge rummaged through the wood on the stove and said in a low voice without even looking back.
"I know."
Chu Qiao faced the fire, the firelight swaying on her cheeks, and warmth surrounded her, but her heart was extremely cold, and she didn't know how the emperor would treat her.
After lighting the stove, Ange still did not leave, but sat on the edge of the stove, staring straight at the dancing flames.
"It was originally a good thing, but it developed into this."
He no longer had the relaxation, ease, and leisure of the past, and there was a hint of dullness between his brows. He was constantly fiddling with the red fire, thinking about something.
"From the time I was born to now, good things that happen to me will soon turn into bad things, so they all call me the disaster star. Just like this royal banquet, if someone else is responsible for it, it may be a good thing.
, but when I was put in charge, everyone was thrown into the prison of the Criminal Department and almost died."
Chu Qiao was very frustrated. She didn't believe it before, but now she had to believe it.
Chu Qiao's words finally made An Ge turn his head and look over. He hesitated for a moment and suddenly laughed.
"You believe this?"
"If you go through this a few times, you will believe it." Chu Qiao said.
"I have experienced no less than you."
These words made An Ge's face darken, and after he looked away, his expression became serious.