Liu Shi's expression remained calm as she said, "There was such a thing. You suddenly fainted during the wedding ceremony. Upon checking, the doctor said that you were fine. Aunty immediately sent Qinghe to inform Anan that you were safe so that the bride wouldn't be worried."
"Why?" Liu Shi furrowed her brows. "Does Cheng'er suspect that it was the Qinghe group's doing?"
Shen Juncheng replied, "I wouldn't dare. I know that you're kind and generous to me. However, Qinghe has not been in the new house before. For the sake of your reputation, it's better to search the house. Otherwise, I'm afraid that someone will make a big fuss out of it and tarnish your reputation for no reason."
Liu Shi also had a bad feeling about it. She knew that it was not the Qinghe group's doing, still, she felt uneasy.
She then covered her handkerchief and said with a sad face, "Ever since you got an eye disease at the age of eight, I've been taking care of you day and night. I watched you grow up and arranged a marriage for you. Why would I harm you? Cheng'er, you're suspecting me, aren't you?"
Liu Shi was in tears. Her expression was very sad. She looked pitiful, as if she wanted to say, 'I'm doing everything for your good, but in the end you actually doubt me.'
Immediately, a few madams from the side branches came over to comfort her. Some even accused Shen Juncheng of being insensible. How could he doubt his aunt who had doted on him all the time? Even his marriage, wasn't it his aunt who had arranged everything for him?
Everyone was talking at once, as if Shen Juncheng's insistence on a body search was too much to ask for.
Truth be told, Mrs Liu, on the surface, always completed her tasks perfectly. It was common knowledge that she was a kind and virtuous woman. How could such a person harm her own nephew?
Were the people who spoke out for Mrs Liu, actually feeling aggrieved for her?
They weren't.
These people only wanted to grab the opportunity to make a good impression in front of Mrs Liu. She had climbed up to the position of the matriarch of Chen Family. Meanwhile, Shen Jungchen was just an orphan, a hindrance who still held the title of 'Prince'.
When the Qinghe group saw that everyone was leaning toward the Eldest Mistress, they naturally comprehended the situation and immediately started crying even harder to show their loyalty.
When Shen Juncheng saw this, he seemed to have already guessed the outcome. He said gently, "Aunt, what are you doing? Why would Cheng'er suspect you? I'm just afraid that the guests don't know your good points and might misunderstand you. Since everyone here is being so reasonable, why would Cheng'er continue to insist on searching Qinghe's body? Cheng'er trusts you the most."
Liu Shi wiped her tears with a handkerchief, a trace of pride flashing through her eyes.
Do you really think these people will stand on your side? How naive.
She patted Shen Juncheng's hand and said, "Good child, I know you're a reasonable person. Don't worry, I'll definitely find the culprit behind today's incident. I won't let you suffer."
At that time, she would just get a random maidservant to take the blame.
Shen Juncheng acted as if he trusted Madam Liu very much, and it was another scene of 'benevolence and filial piety'.
The Qinghe group felt a sense of relief. Under the orders of the Eldest Mistress, they stood up and came over to serve her. However, just as they stood up, they felt a sudden pain in their legs. They stumbled and fell to the ground. All of a sudden, a sachet fell out of their arms. The mouth of the sachet had not been fastened properly, and a medicine bottle coincidentally came out of it.
For a moment, everyone's attention was focused on the medicine bottle.
Qinghe immediately went to pick up the medicine bottle with widened eyes. However, Chao Sheng's eyes were sharp and his hands were quick. He was one step faster and managed to grab the medicine bottle and handed it to Doctor Lu.
Doctor Lu opened the bottle and sniffed it. His expression changed immediately. "This is the bliss powder that Young Madam was given."
As soon as he said that, everyone fell silent.
Even if you wanted to protect Mrs Liu, it was impossible to tell a naked lie.
They had watched the medicine fall from Qinghe's body, and it was the very poison that had harmed the Young Mistress.