Chapter 13: Turning the Tables (Part 2)

As the rooster hour neared sunset, Yuli thought to herself, "I wonder if Wang Mama's pot of nourishing soup is ready yet?"

Zhixue bounced in excitedly, looking around the room. Then she lowered her voice and said to Yuli, "Ali, I saw Wang Mama in the small kitchen. She's bustling about busily!"

Upon hearing this, Yuli's lips curved slightly. She said to Zhixue, "When we go to Lady Wang's Bamboo Longevity Hall later, you must act accordingly and make sure to emphasize that the soup was made by Mama Wang. Understood?"

"Mmm, understood!" Zhixue vigorously nodded and then asked, "Can you tell me, what are your plans, exactly?"

Yuli shook her head, "You'll find out soon enough. But I'll tell you now, the secrets of the heavens are about to be revealed."

Zhixue could only give up and say, "Alright, I'll see what mysterious thing you have in store!"

As they were speaking, footsteps could be heard from outside, causing both of them to immediately stop speaking in unison.

I saw Madam Wang slowly walk in, carrying a food box filled with soup bowls. She saw Yuli waiting for her boredly and quickly smiled, saying, "Third Young Master, the soup is ready. This is a crucian carp stewed with lily and lotus seeds, which not only helps cultivate tranquility but also benefits the spleen and stomach. It's the best choice for someone like the Old Madam to drink."

Saying that, he placed the food container on the table.

Yu Li leaned over and sniffed, exclaiming, "It smells so good!"

Mrs. Wang, fearing any unnecessary trouble, hurriedly said, "Third Young Master, don't pay any attention to it. it's probably time for the meal over at the eldest madam's place. It's better to act fast and seize the opportunity. Hurry up and take the soup to the Bamboo Longevity Hall!"

"Mom is right, I'll go right away." Yuli smiled at her and picked up the food box.

"I'll accompany Young Master," said Mama Wang eagerly, wanting to follow along. Zhixue smiled and said to her,

"Mama, what's gotten into you today? You're being so attentive, even attending to the young master's sidekick. Are you trying to steal my job?"

Mrs. Wang suddenly realized that she may have been too overly attentive, fearing that it would arouse suspicion from Yuli. Sheepishly, she smiled and said, "This soup is hot, I'm afraid young master might spill it." As she spoke, she pretended to instruct Zhixue, saying, "Zhixue, it's unreasonable for the young master to carry it himself. Hurry up and carry it, so he doesn't spill it."

"Got it!" Zhixue mumbled and took the food box from Yuli's hand. "Young master, let's go."

"Okay." Yuli replied, then glanced at Wang Mama one last time before leaving without looking back.

The two of them arrived at the Bamboo Longevity Hall and indeed, the old lady was serving meals. As a result, they quickened their pace.

Entering the courtyard of Bamboo Longevity Hall, Hong Zhu was just coming out with a handkerchief in her hand. Upon seeing the two, a smile appeared on her face as she said, "Oh, Young Master San, why have you come?"

Yu Li smiled at her and said, "Grandmother, the food has been replenished."

"That's perfect! The old lady was just about to have a meal. Why don't you go? It's quite a coincidence!"

"Well, I'll go in first."

Zhixue saw Yuli entering and noticed a frown on Zhao Hongzhu's face, but her eyes still held a hint of a smile. She said, "Look, our young master really loves drinking the soup cooked by Wang Mama. He thought there wouldn't be any soup to drink here, so he eagerly sent it over!"

Hongzhu chuckled and spat at him when he heard his words, saying, "You dare to scheme against our young master behind his back? Third Young Master is filial; he always keeps the old lady in his thoughts, no matter what good things there are!"

"Not saying anymore, the soup is still with me. See you later, Sister Hongzhu."

"Ah, see you later."

Zhi Xue entered the inner room and saw the two generations of grandmother and grandson happily chatting. She then bowed and stood behind Yu Li.

Yuli caught sight of Zhixue entering and said, "Grandmother, just in time for your meal. Your grandson has brought more dishes for you."

"Oh?" Lady Yu glanced at the food container in Zhixue's hand and asked, "What kind of dish is this?"

Zhixue quickly stepped forward and cleverly said, "In response to Madam's words, my young master drank the soup made by Madam Wang and found it surprisingly delicious. He insisted on bringing some for you to taste." As she spoke, she skillfully acted out the scenario, "I said, 'Madam, what don't you have? It seems unnecessary for the young master to do this!' But the young master insisted that the soup made by Madam Wang is the best and feared that even the cook in your yard couldn't replicate it, so he insisted on delivering it himself."

After hearing this, Madam Yu was elated. She smiled and said, "Lier is a good child, always thinking about her grandmother."

Yu Li also had a shy expression as she said, "I didn't really want to do all of this. Boys should focus on their studies and broaden their horizons. These are just the thoughts of a young girl. But just now, Mama Wang cooked some soup. I've been studying so hard these past few days and I also miss my grandmother. So I asked Zhixue to pack up the soup and we came straight to my grandmother's place to have a meal!"

Zhixue also chimed in, saying, "If Madam Wang knew that her soup was consumed by Old Lady, she would probably wake up laughing in the middle of the night!"

When Madam Yu heard this, she chuckled and said, "Both of you, master and servant, always sing together and have quick tongues. You're both skilled at flattering me."

"Where are we trying to deceive you, Grandmother? It's probably because you don't want your grandson to mooch off of you, so we're just finding an excuse to chase him away," Yu Li said, and everyone burst into laughter.

Madam Yu pointed at Yu Li and said to Du Ruomama, "Take a look, this persistent pursuit of hers, in the future, she won't have trouble finding a son-in-law."

The crowd burst into laughter together.

"Grandmother! I am still young, I still have to study and take exams. I want to become an official and support you!" Yu Li said with a smile. While speaking, she went to uncover the soup bowl in the food box, immediately releasing a fragrant aroma. Yu Li then placed it on the table and used a spoon to ladle it into a small green porcelain soup bowl. "Grandmother, smell it, it smells so good!"

Madam Yu sniffed the fragrance and also praised, "Indeed, it is excellent."

Yuli filled a small bowl, as if she was going to hand it to Madame Yulao, but then hesitated and withdrew her hand: "It smells so good, I'll have a bowl first!"

Zhixue, who was standing aside, watched in horror as he took a sip, and exclaimed worriedly, "Third Young Master! You..."

Yuli turned her head and mischievously smiled, saying, "What's there to be afraid of? Grandmother won't blame me for disrespecting my elders. Let's just say I was testing the poison for her."

Mrs. Yu, upon seeing this, couldn't help but burst into laughter without any doubt and playfully scolded, "You greedy cat, not only are you craving for food, but you also want to act cute..."

Yuli drank a small bowl and wiped the soup stains from the corner of her lips. She smiled at the elderly Lady Yu and said, "Indeed delicious. Grandmother, I'll serve you a bowl right away!"

As he spoke, he picked up another small celadon soup bowl to fill it with soup. Suddenly, he frowned and his hand froze in mid-air. Then, unexpectedly, he dropped the bowl onto the ground.

Boom!

Mrs. Yu and others had yet to react when they saw Yu Li suddenly vomit a mouthful of blood. Her face pale, she desperately clutched her stomach and shouted, "There's something dirty in the soup, grandmother, don't drink it!"

Yuli felt as if something was stirring in his abdomen, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the intense pain. If it wasn't for Zhixue supporting him, he would probably have been too weak to remain seated. Enduring the agony, he cried out, "Grandmother, save me, save me, Grandmother!"

Madam Yu was also startled, but luckily, being of old age, she had some experience. She quickly instructed the people below, saying, "Du Ruo, quickly fetch a strong servant to carry the Third Young Master to my bed. Hong Zhu, you immediately go and fetch the doctor, quickly, quickly!"

"Yes, Madam!"

Mrs. Yuchi's Bamboo Longevity Hall immediately became busy and chaotic.

Yuli was crying out in pain, but he remained conscious. Seeing his pale face in agony, Yulao Madam couldn't help but feel heartbroken. She held his hand and comforted him, saying, "Good grandson, bear with it a little longer. Doctor Kong will be here soon, and you'll be alright in no time, okay?"

Kneeling beside the bed, Zhixue was both shocked and fearful, with a tinge of worry. She spoke with a sobbing voice, "Third Young Master, I told you that Madame Wang is not a good person, but you didn't believe me. Fortunately, we are in Madam Laofu's courtyard, otherwise, if we were in our own chambers, once she poured the soup, there would be no turning back..."

Madam Yu was immediately reminded of something after he mentioned it. She had initially thought that someone was trying to harm her, but in fact, this soup was originally made by Wang Mama for Yu Li to drink. It was because of Yu Li's whim that it was sent to Zhushou Hall. In other words, this soup was meant for Yu Li, and the person who was trying to harm her was none other than Yu Li herself.

Moreover, Zhixue's words are right. If it weren't for being in her courtyard, by the time Wang Mama takes the opportunity to pour out the soup while Zhixue goes to call someone, there would be no evidence left.

With this thought, her eyes suddenly became clear.

Yu Li saw Zhi Xue reminding Madame Yu, and immediately cried out, "Nonsense, you're talking nonsense! Wang Mama was personally selected and sent by my mother, how could she possibly harm me! Tell me, is it you? Is it you who wants to harm me!" As she spoke, she grabbed onto Zhi Xue's sleeve and refused to let go.

Zhi Xue also felt wronged and knelt down to explain to Old Lady Yu, "Madam, please see the truth clearly. If I had even the slightest malicious intention towards Young Master San, then I should be condemned to the deepest hell and never be able to redeem myself!"

After Madam Yu heard the conversation between the master and servant, how could she not guess who it was? She hurriedly consoled Yu Li in a gentle voice, saying, "Alright, alright, my dear grandson. Please don't speak for now. Doctor Kong has already examined you. We will investigate who is trying to harm you, okay?"

Yuli was in so much pain that she felt dizzy. Upon hearing the kind and gentle tone of Madame Yu, she could no longer hold back the long-suppressed sense of grievance and heartache. She threw herself into Madame Yu's arms and burst into tears, crying out, "Grandmother—"