Poisoning

The water was dripping with the milky white juice secreted by the oleander. It was poisoned.

Chu Yunyao had just returned to the Chu residence. She did not expect that someone wanted her dead. 

However, she had asked Uncle Liang before. She knew that Nanny Zhang was Chu Qingze's servant.

And Chu Qingze did not want her to die in the Chu residence. Otherwise, he would not have gone against his conscience and brought her back to the Chu residence.

The aroma of the food wafted into her nose. Chu Yunyao swallowed saliva and touched her empty stomach.

A rustling sound came from the closet.

Chu Yunyao saw a few rats crawling out of the holes in the corner of the wall.

This guest room was once a storage room that rats had always inhabited.

Chu Yunyao used her chopsticks to pick up some rice and spilled it on the ground.

The rat devoured the food eagerly, safe and sound.

Chu Yunyao threw some cucumbers and shredded meat over.

The rat ate even more happily, but before it could finish eating, it fell to the ground and twitched. Soon, it could not move.

The food was poisoned.

Chu Yunyao pushed her bowl aside and ate multigrain rice to replenish her strength. Then, she lay back on the bed to recharge her energy.

Who wanted her dead?

The Si family? To end the relationship between the Chu family and the Mo family.

The Chu family? Because they hindered the interests of some people.

The Mo family? They did not want to marry an ugly fool and be a laughing stock.

Chu Yunyao closed her eyes and fell asleep until late at night. When it was quiet outside, she opened her eyes again.

She found a handkerchief to cover her face and opened the window.

A white shadow darted in like a bolt of lightning, leaping over Chu Yunyao's shoulder and heading straight to the corner of the wall.

Under the bright moonlight, Chu Yunyao finally saw that it was a snow-white imperial cat. Its golden and silver eyes emitted a gem-like glow in the darkness, which was scary.

This kind of cat was usually docile, but for some reason, this cat looked extremely ferocious.

Especially when it bit the dead rat, it let out a low growl from its throat. It arched its body and stared at Chu Yunyao vigilantly as if it would pounce on her at any moment.

Chu Yunyao had no interest in fighting with a cat. She stepped on a stool and jumped out of the window. 

She landed quietly on the ground and hid in the darkness. With her keen sense of smell, she quickly found the kitchen.

The cook lay in the haystack and snored loudly. The charcoal fire in the stove had not been put out. The earthen jar contained a rich black chicken soup infused with antler, wolfberries, and red dates. The aroma wafted through the air, filling the room.

In contrast to the 22nd century, which added too many hormones and genetically modified feed ingredients, many things in this era did not taste very good. Still, the ingredients were naturally fresh, green, and healthy.

Chu Yunyao was a foodie, and she was drooling.

She picked up the rag on the stove, carried the earthen jar, and quietly left the kitchen.

She found a quiet corner and started eating.

After eating and drinking, Chu Yunyao patted her bulging belly and burped as she returned to her room.

The dead rat at the corner of the wall had been torn to pieces, its body missing and crippled.

The remaining food in the bowl was also completely consumed.

The white cat disappeared.

Chu Yunyao covered herself with the blanket and slept soundly.

A sudden burst of noise woke Chu Yunyao up the following morning. Just as she lifted her blanket and got out of bed, the room door was kicked open.

Chu Yunqian was wearing a pink dress. Her long black hair was well curled and fell on her shoulders.

With well-applied makeup on her delicate face, she approached Chu Yunyao with an angry expression. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and was about to slap Chu Yunyao without saying a word.