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Qu Moying had no idea that the carriage coming in was Liu Jingyu’s. She followed behind Qu Qiuyan as they walked inside.

They reached a beautiful flower hall, where Qu Qiuyan stopped and waited for Qu Moying. Together, they entered the hall, adding grace to the Qu Mansion.

The design of the flower hall was exquisite. One side was adjacent to the water, while the other faced a garden. Large windows adorned both sides, creating a seamless connection.

The windows facing the lake were closed, shielding the gentle breeze. On the side facing the garden, the windows were open, revealing several pots of chrysanthemums. It was a rare sight to behold the blossoming chrysanthemums during this time of year. Two young ladies approached the flower hall with excitement, using a door that bypassed the group.

The flower hall had only a few guests, including three elderly ladies and a few young ladies.

Upon seeing the arrival of the Qu sisters, the Duchess Qi was delighted. She warmly invited them to sit down and asked about Old Lady Qu’s well-being. After exchanging pleasantries, she instructed them to join the other young ladies for entertainment.

“Forth Lady Qu, it’s a pleasure to see you.” greeted Qi Xiangyu as she approached Qu Moying with a beaming smile. The two of them had developed a rapport before.

“Lady Qi!” Qu Moying politely curtsied.

“Come, let’s go over there. Those flowers were brought from the palace by my grandfather. They are not the usual variety found in the capital and are quite rare. It’s remarkable to see them blooming so beautifully during this season.” Qi Xiangyu invited Qu Moying enthusiastically, glancing at Qu Qiuyan, and added, “Third Lady Qu, please join us too.”

With that, she took Qu Moying’s hand and led her towards the entrance.

Qu Qiuyan reluctantly followed, concealing her frustration with a smile. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, fuming inside. She had always been treated as the superior one, while Qu Moying was the subordinate. Never had she imagined that she would become Qu Moying’s appendage today!

As the three of them stepped outside, they entered the garden adorned with chrysanthemums. Upon closer inspection, the flowers displayed vibrant colors. One of the pots contained large, bowl-like chrysanthemums in a striking shade of red. The flowers’ petals curved delicately at the stem, adding a touch of allure. Several nearby young ladies marveled at the sight.

Qu Moying approached the potted flower and admired its exceptional beauty.

“What kind of chrysanthemum is this?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen it before.”

“I heard it’s from the palace or some other place as an offering.”

“It’s truly stunning, so beautiful.”

The young ladies chattered excitedly. Meanwhile, the elderly ladies sat in the flower hall, a little farther away. Since no one was monitoring them, and they were among close acquaintances, they disregarded strict etiquette and engaged in lively conversation.

Qu Moying’s gaze remained fixated on the captivating flower. Even in her previous life, she had never witnessed such a splendid blooming of chrysanthemums during this time of year. At first glance, they appeared to be ordinary chrysanthemums, but upon closer examination, they seemed slightly different. She stood aside, observing and appreciating the flowers.

Qi Xiangyu stood next to her and introduced with a smile, “These were obtained by my aunt from the palace and brought here.”

“Madam Liu? Wasn’t it said that the Duke went to the palace to request them?” Qu Moying asked, surprised.

“Not this particular pot. My aunt obtained this one from the empress’s palace. Unfortunately, she accidentally knocked over the previous pot and had to replace it with a new one. She transferred some soil into it. Fortunately, the new pot is equally beautiful; otherwise, it would have diminished the colors,” Qi Xiangyu explained, sighing.

Qu Moying’s gaze shifted to the pot. It was exquisitely crafted, more appealing than an ordinary flower pot. It resembled a decorative porcelain piece rather than a container for flowers. Inside, the cultivated soil seemed somewhat wasted.

Within the newly cultivated soil, two small flowers and some grass grew. The tiny blossoms complemented the grass, creating a charming and natural composition. It enhanced the brilliance of the vibrant red chrysanthemums.

Originally, these two small flowers were inconspicuous, akin to wildflowers found along the roadside. They featured small five-petaled blossoms with pointed ends. Upon closer inspection, they appeared fuzzy, and a touch of bright red adorned the tips of their petals, resembling scratches on a beautiful face. Were these flowers not from here but the ones Granny Miao mentioned?

Granny Miao had described them differently, piquing her interest. She had paid attention at the time, and now, seeing them, they seemed strangely familiar.

Qu Moying’s heart skipped a beat as she carefully observed the flowers. Her gaze, originally wandering casually, returned to them with renewed focus. After a few moments of careful examination, she took a couple of steps forward and joined the other ladies in admiring the flowers.

The faint floral fragrance was that of chrysanthemums, but amidst the scent, there was another subtle aroma, evoking a sense of tranquility and serenity.

Qu Moying sniffed delicately, then lifted her head, confirming that the small flowers before her were the same ones mixed into Dowager Consort Qu’s fragrance earlier.

However, while those had been crushed and blended into the perfume, what she saw now was the flower itself.

These flowers had a peculiar and sinister name—Face-Scratching Beauties.

They were not highly toxic, but if a person was in a weakened state or had caught a chill, these flowers could easily make them feel drowsy and worsen their condition. Even a minor illness could become life-threatening, leaving no trace behind and leading people to believe it was a missed opportunity that claimed a life over a seemingly small ailment.

How could such a malicious flower appear in the Duke Qi’s Mansion?

Was it a genuine mistake or a deliberate act by someone with ill intentions?

People who consume various grains and cereals were not immune to illnesses, especially the elderly and the frail. For instance, Dowager Consort Qu’s health was considered good, but she still experienced bodily discomfort and fell ill with minor ailments like catching a cold. However, it almost claimed her life!

“Did Madam Liu bring these flowers from the empress?” Qu Moying straightened up and asked Qi Xiangyu, glancing deeply at the flowers once again.

“Yes, my aunt brought them as a gift for my grandmother. Grandfather said they would be placed in her room after the flower-viewing event. Grandmother loves flowers, but during this time of the year, most chrysanthemums are either just budding or not even visible. There aren’t many that bloom as magnificently as these.”

Qi Xiangyu explained with a smile.

“How has the Duchess Qi’s health been lately?” Qu Moying paused for a moment before inquiring.

“Grandmother hasn’t been in the best health recently. The rapid changes in seasons and a persistent cough have taken a toll on her,” Qi Xiangyu sighed, her brow furrowing. “The doctor advised caution, as older people are prone to illness. In previous years around this time, if grandmother wasn’t careful, she would catch a chill.”

Qu Moying’s heart pounded, as if she had grasped something, yet also felt like she had missed something crucial. There was a sense of ambiguity.

“Is the Duchess Qi in poor health?”

“Grandmother’s health isn’t terribly bad; it’s just that she’s getting older. During this seasonal transition, it’s easy for her health to suffer.” Qi Xiangyu replied, shaking her head.

Qu Moying pondered for a moment and smiled. “Those with fragile health can’t tolerate such strong floral fragrances; proper air circulation is crucial.”

“Is that so?” Qi Xiangyu exclaimed, surprised.

“Indeed. Lady Qi must have heard of allergies, right? Some people have severe allergic reactions, struggling to breathe properly and encountering serious problems. Spring often triggers these reactions, as there are many allergenic substances in the flowers of that season. We can never be sure how it affects individuals.”

Qu Moying explained, pointing at the blooming chrysanthemums. “These chrysanthemums are quite large, and their full bloom is extraordinary. We are unfamiliar with their pollen and its potential harm to the human body. It’s better to be cautious; it could be extremely harmful to someone’s health. After all, these flowers are different from the chrysanthemums we usually have here.”

Upon hearing Qu Moying’s words, Qi Xiangyu nodded in agreement.

“In that case, let’s leave the flowers here. If grandmother wishes to see them, she can come here. It’s not suitable to keep them indoors.”

“It’s such a shame to not place such a beautiful flower inside the house.” Qu Qiuyan heard nearby, mocking as she curled her lips. Although she also thought Qu Moying had a point, she disliked everything Qu Moying said, no matter how reasonable. And she especially disliked seeing Qu Moying being valued by the Duke Qi’s Mansion.

She sounded jealous.

“What’s the point of being a pity? Wasn’t Third Sister allergic before? That feeling isn’t pleasant, is it?” Qu Moying replied nonchalantly. “The Duchess Qi is getting older, so it’s more appropriate for her to prioritize rest and recovery. We can’t jeopardize her health for the sake of enjoying flowers. It would be just like what happened to Third Sister back then, and that would truly be unfortunate!”

This incident was also Qu Qiuyan’s embarrassing matter, the one thing she cared about the most. During her “allergic” episode, Qu Qiuyan didn’t dare to show her face for several days. Now that Qu Moying brought it up again, her face turned red with anger and frustration. She clenched her teeth in resentment, but couldn’t do anything about Qu Moying.

“Fourth Sister, I’m only reminding you out of goodwill. If you don’t want to listen, then forget it. There’s no need to bring up such matters.” Qu Qiuyan suppressed her venomous hatred and spoke in a cold tone. After finishing her words, she swung her sleeves and walked away.

Qu Moying glanced at Qu Qiuyan, her smile still faint, and she continued to appreciate the flowers with Qi Xiangyu, completely ignoring Qu Qiuyan.

Qu Qiuyan originally thought that in front of everyone, Qu Moying would at least exchange a few polite words with her and invite her to stay. But she didn’t expect that Qu Moying wouldn’t say a single word. How could she stay in this situation? Stomping her foot in anger, Qu Qiuyan turned and left, heading out of this garden.

She didn’t return to the flower hall.

This was a garden full of flowers. Once outside the gate, there was a winding path. Qu Qiuyan was extremely annoyed and walked forward aimlessly with Qing Ju. After walking for a while, she finally stopped and realized that she had arrived at a place she had never been before. Along the way, she had passed several intersections, all chosen at random.

Now she couldn’t recognize the way back.

Looking around, a servant happened to pass by. Qing Ju hurriedly waved her hand, and the servant stopped and approached, bowing to Qu Qiuyan.

“Where is the flower hall where you were receiving guests?”

“It’s in this direction. Keep going straight ahead, then turn right at the intersection. It’s not far from there.” the servant replied with a friendly smile.

“You are today’s guest. Did you happen to see Forth Lady Qu?” the servant asked with a smile.

“Yes, I did see her. Who in your mansion is looking for her?” Qu Qiuyan became alert upon hearing about Qu Moying, carefully examining the servant’s eyes. The servant was holding a fruit tray in her hand, filled with fresh and clean fruits that looked particularly refreshing.

“This is for Lady Qu. I was planning to deliver it to her, but I was afraid she wasn’t there, so I asked you.” the servant replied with a smile.

“Who ordered you to deliver it?” Qu Qiuyan questioned, her thoughts spinning.

The servant smiled for a moment, seeming reluctant to say, but finally replied vaguely, “It was on our master’s orders to deliver the fruit tray to Fourth Lady Qu!”

“Who is your master?” Qu Moying followed up with a question.

The servant became increasingly unable to answer, appearing unsure of how to respond. She awkwardly smiled and then, after bowing to Qu Qiuyan, said, “I won’t accompany your ladyship any longer. I still have my master’s orders to fulfill. I’ll go back then!”