Chapter 119: Expelled from the Yu Residence

Hong'er froze, her body rigid. She wanted to run, but with so many eyes on her, how could she escape? She had no choice but to stand rooted to the spot, her heart pounding in terror. Could it be that this wretched girl had discovered what she’d done to the tea? But how could that be possible?

“Turn around,” Lin Sangqian said.

Hong’er didn’t dare move. Seeing this, Kang Ya grew impatient. “The guest asked you to turn around. Didn’t you hear her?”

Lin Sangqian was her guest today, and with other guests present as well, a servant behaving so inappropriately would only make others think she couldn’t manage her own household.

At these words, Hong’er could only turn around.

Lin Sangqian recognized her at a glance, a chilling smile curling on her lips. “So it’s you.”

“You two know each other?” Kang Ya asked.

“We’ve met once before. Something rather... amusing happened,” Lin Sangqian replied, putting a deliberate emphasis on the word “amusing.” “I didn’t expect we’d meet again today.”

Hong’er forced a dry smile. “Miss, is there something you need?”

Lin Sangqian’s gaze fell on the teapot in Hong’er’s hands. “Was it you who served me the tea just now?”

Hong’er wanted to deny it, but under Lin Sangqian’s sharp gaze, she could only nod.

At this moment, she felt as though she were roasting over a fire, wishing Lin Sangqian would just get it over with.

But Lin Sangqian was in no hurry, asking slowly, “Did you brew this tea yourself?”

Hong’er could find nobody else to take the blame, so she nodded again, each movement more difficult than the last.

Lin Sangqian smiled.

“Sangqian, what’s the matter?” Kang Ya asked. “Is there something wrong with the tea?”

“Madam, I believe something has been added to this tea that shouldn’t be there.”

Hong’er immediately fell to her knees, panic-stricken. “Madam, you wrong me! The tea... the tea is perfectly clean, I didn’t put anything in it!”

How could Lin Sangqian know something had been added after just a single sip? She was only a mere servant girl—could she really be that capable? Surely, she must be making wild accusations!

Kang Ya looked at Lin Sangqian in confusion, but Lin Sangqian only smiled. “Very well, since you say the tea is clean, it’s yours. Drink all of it, and I’ll believe you. Madam, is that all right?”

After all, this was Kang Ya’s home, and she needed her approval.

Kang Ya, of course, sided with Lin Sangqian. She nodded and said to Hong’er, “Miss Lin has asked you to drink it, so drink.”

“I—I don’t dare...” Hong’er trembled, her head nearly buried in the ground.

“Why not?” Lin Sangqian asked. “Is it because you put croton seeds in it?”

At these words, Hong’er turned ashen with shock.

Lin Sangqian actually knew!

How could it be, after just a single sip...

Lin Sangqian fixed her with a cold stare, itching to tear out her hair. After all, she was a top student in modern medicine, having performed countless experiments—how could she not recognize the taste of croton seeds? Especially with such a heavy dose.

This little maid was truly malicious, trying to humiliate her so publicly!

“I didn’t put croton seeds in it, I didn’t...” Hong’er still tried to argue.

“Then drink it.”

Madam Liao Shuxia, who had witnessed the whole scene, had grown impatient. She strode over and said directly, “She won’t drink? Then force it down her!”

“No, please, no!” Hong’er blanched, recalling just how much croton seed she had poured in. If she had to drink the whole pot, she would surely suffer for days.

“Madam, I was wrong, I know I was wrong! I was just momentarily foolish!” Hong’er knelt, kowtowing desperately.

“So you admit it?” Kang Ya’s expression darkened. “How dare you put croton seeds in a guest’s tea!”

At that moment, a lady surnamed Cheng spoke up. “Kang Ya, you really don’t keep your servants in line. With so many guests here today, and she dares to do such a thing—what will happen next? Will she walk all over you? Hmph.”

Kang Ya’s face grew even darker.

This Lady Cheng pretended to be on good terms with her, but in truth, they were rivals, always competing in secret. Because of Hong’er, she had lost face in front of Lady Cheng!

“Someone come!” Kang Ya shouted angrily. “Take her away, and let her family fetch her. She is never to set foot in my household again!”

Immediately, two old maids entered, preparing to drag Hong’er away.

Upon hearing this, Hong’er burst into desperate, wailing sobs. “Madam, please, don’t throw me out! I’ll never dare again—please, forgive me just this once!”

So many ladies from wealthy families were here today—they all knew her now. Who would hire her after this? If things went on like this, her greedy, heartless family might sell her to a brothel!

There was no grand brothel in town, but there were still disreputable places...

If that happened, her life would be truly over.

“Miss Lin, I was wrong. Please, be magnanimous and forgive me this once!” Hong’er pleaded.

Lin Sangqian’s expression was calm and indifferent. She paid Hong’er no heed.

Last time, Hong’er had tried to push her into the lake; this time, she’d laced her tea with croton seeds. If she forgave Hong’er again, who knows what she would try next?

Lin Sangqian was not so soft-hearted as to help someone who repeatedly tried to harm her.

What might happen to Hong’er after being cast out of the household was none of Lin Sangqian’s concern. It was Hong’er’s own doing.

Everyone else was equally fed up with this deceitful maid and, naturally, no one spoke for her.

In the end, Hong’er was dragged out, still sobbing, by the two old maids.

“Sangqian, I’m so sorry. I invited you here as a guest, only for you to experience such a thing,” Kang Ya apologized with guilt.

“Madam, there’s no need to say that. It wasn’t your fault,” Lin Sangqian replied with a smile. “Besides, you handled the matter and gave me a proper explanation.”

Kang Ya patted her hand, then turned to address the others. “I apologize for the disturbance. There won’t be any more incidents today.”

“But, Miss Lin, how did you know there were croton seeds in the tea?” Lady Cheng asked.

Lin Sangqian replied modestly, “I know a little about medicine.”

“So young, and already so talented.”

“You must visit my home next time! My daughter is a little younger than you, but you’re so much more mature.”

“Shuxia, won’t you consider my son? He’s honest and diligent in his studies—he’d surely treat your daughter well.”

“Look at you all, stop fighting over her!”

Lin Sangqian could only smile wryly, caught between laughter and exasperation.

...

Hong’er’s wailing echoed throughout the Yu household. Guan Yanqing heard the commotion and instructed An Yu to go see what was happening.

Soon, An Yu returned and reported, “I’ve found out. It was a maid who dared to put croton seeds in Miss Lin’s tea, but she was exposed on the spot. Madam Kang was furious and ordered her to be thrown out.”