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Chu Qingzhi’s voice carried a soothing tone, “She’s fine, Second Sister, don’t worry.”

Chu Qingyue heaved a sigh of relief. “She’s a maid who grew up with Yuting. If she’s guilty, Yuting will definitely be very sad.”

Xia Mei quickly returned with the sachet, presenting it to Chu Qingzhi with both hands.

“Fifth Miss, this sachet was made by a maid named Yun Lan in our mansion. Her family is poor, so the young master let her make sachets for people in the mansion.”

“Her craftsmanship is excellent. Anyone who likes sachets gets one from her, and now almost everyone wears them.”

Chu Qingzhi took the sachet and sniffed it; it didn’t smell of Thunder God Vine.

The process of soaking petals in Thunder God Vine juice and then drying them takes at least two to three days. The fact that she received it now indicates it was prepared well in advance.

The perpetrator had clearly planned this carefully.

“Thank you, Xia Mei.”

Xia Mei smiled and said, “The sachet isn’t valuable. As long as Fifth Miss likes it, that’s good.”

She then took out another sachet from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Qingzhi, “The previous sachet was for Fifth Miss, and this one is for Fourth Miss.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and accepted the sachet, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Fifth Miss. 1’11 go prepare your room now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Thank you.”

Xia Mei smiled warmly and left.

Chu Qingyue looked at the sachet with some distaste, “Fifth sister, is there something wrong with this sachet?”

“No, it’s just an ordinary sachet.” Chu Qingzhi then added, “Second Sister, call Chunli in for a moment.”

Chunli was responsible for the arrangements in the courtyard, and now Chu Qingzhi needed to know who handled the medicinal porridge.

“Alright.” Chu Qingyue immediately went to fetch Chunli. Chunli, passing by the courtyard, came in.

Chunli greeted, “Greetings, Fifth Miss.”

Chu Qingzhi asked a seemingly unrelated question, “Chunli, how many years have you been with the young master?”

Chunli answered respectfully, “I was bought into the mansion at the age of ten and have been serving the young master ever since, for seven years now.”

“Do you know everyone in the mansion?”

“I do, and 1 have a good memory. I can remember everyone I’ve seen.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded, “How is the medicinal porridge delivered to your courtyard? How many people handle it in the process?”

Chunli felt the question was odd but sensed the matter was serious, quickly responding, “The porridge is prepared in the main kitchen and delivered to the young master’s courtyard by a maid named Lin Qing. No one else intervenes in the process.”

“I’d like to meet this maid.”

“It’s unfortunate, but Lin Qing has gone home on leave for a few days.”

“Home on leave?” Chu Qingzhi sensed trouble, “Then who delivered the porridge to your courtyard today?”

Chunli thought for a moment, then admitted she couldn’t remember, “1’11 check right away.”

“Thank you.”

Chu Qingyue, seeing Chu Qingzhi’s serious expression, felt uneasy, “Fifth sister…”

“Don’t worry, Second Sister. I’ll find out who this person is.”

“Ok.”

Chunli returned looking troubled, “Young Madam, Fifth Miss, everyone said they didn’t see the maid from this morning. Some had doubts, but she claimed she was sent by Lin Qing to fill in. When I went to find her, she was nowhere to be found.”

“That’s interesting,” Chu Qingzhi mused, “I’d like to meet Lin Qing. Do you know where she might be?”

After a moment of thought, Chunli said, “Lin Qing’s cousin, Liang Xiao, should know.”

In the courtyard, a maid reported to the Second Madam, “Chunli is inquiring about that maid.”

Fang Yuying fell silent for a moment before lifting her teacup for a sip, her relaxed expression fading, “Continue to monitor their every move.”

“Yes, Second Madam.”

After learning the full story, Liang Xiao immediately agreed to take Chu Qingzhi to find Lin Qing.

As the two walked down the street, chatting casually…

Tang Jinghong approached on horseback. Upon seeing Chu Qingzhi, he dismounted, “Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi’s eyes lit up as she quickly walked towards Tang Jinghong, “What brings you here?”

Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi tenderly, his gaze filled with affection, “I was at the horse ranch.”

“It’s still early, why not stay a bit longer?” Chu Qingzhi felt somewhat apologetic, as she was supposed to have a date with Jinghong that afternoon.

“Brother Lu had to leave early for something.” Qingzhi seemed not to care about his visit to the horse ranch, which dampened Tang Jinghong’s spirits, “Qingzhi, I’m feeling a bit tired and would like to rest.”

Chu Qingzhi sensed something odd about Tang Jinghong today but couldn’t pinpoint where, so she stepped aside, “Alright.”

Tang Jinghong sighed inwardly, remounted his horse, and left.

Chu Qingzhi watched Tang Jinghong depart, feeling increasingly puzzled. What was wrong with Jinghong?

Liang Xiao whispered, “Miss Chu, shall we continue?”

Chu Qingzhi turned her attention back, nodding, “Let’s go.”

Upon arriving at Lin Qing’s home, they found her just returning from visiting relatives. Liang Xiao called her over to Chu Qingzhi.

Lin Qing bowed, appearing nervous, “Miss Chu.”

“Don’t be nervous. 1 just have a few questions for you.”

“Please ask, Miss Chu.”

“Did you have someone else deliver the medicinal porridge to the young master’s courtyard today?”

Lin Qing shook her head firmly, “No, 1 had taken leave. The task of delivering the porridge would have been taken over by the chef’s apprentice. 1 don’t have the authority to assign another maid in my place.”

It seemed a fake maid was involved, further indicating that someone had orchestrated this plot behind the scenes, “Thank you for your time.”

Lin Qing was surprised by Chu Qingzhi’s courtesy, “You’re too kind, Miss Chu.”

“Go on with your work. We’re done here.”

“Miss Chu, cousin, take care.”

On her way back, Chu Qingzhi encountered Chu Qingning, who had returned from inquiring at the pharmacy, “Sister, what did you find out?”

Chu Qingning shook her head, “The chef did not buy cottonseed.”

He didn’t buy it?

What seemed like a straightforward matter had suddenly become complicated. Chu Qingzhi fell silent for a moment, “Let’s go see the chef.”

At the Ning Residence.

The chef was only responsible for preparing medicinal meals and didn’t concern himself with anything else. When Chu Qingzhi and her companions found the chef, he was sitting in a rocking chair, enjoying the sun and sipping tea, looking quite content.

Liang Xiao stepped forward, “Chef, Miss Chu Qingzhi and Miss Chu Qingning have something to ask you.”

The chef opened his eyes, glanced at the two women, and stood up from his rocking chair, cheerfully saying, “Ladies, feel free to ask anything.”

Chu Qingzhi observed the chef, indeed a man of a happy-go-lucky disposition, “Chef, have you ever purchased cottonseed?”

The chef seemed startled, hastily denying, “That stuff can’t be fed to women; I wouldn’t dare buy it. Please don’t scare me.”

He had a basic understanding of medicine; cottonseed could cause infertility in women, and he wouldn’t dare to purchase it.

Since the chef did not do anything, it could only be someone else.. “Can you let me take a look at the medicinal dregs left behind from today’s medicinal cuisine?”