TSWRLM -Chapter 368 Something’s Wrong with These Two!

After transmitting the message, Xie Zhang quickly received a reply from Xiao Qinghe. Early the next morning, he arranged to meet his schoolmate Xie Fu at the teahouse.

By mid-morning, the door to the private room finally opened. Xie Zhang instinctively straightened his back, but the person who entered was not Xiao Qinghe—it was Xiao Yecheng.

Xie Zhang’s eyes flickered briefly, but he soon returned to his usual calm demeanor.

Xie Fu had met Xiao Yecheng before. Seeing him again, he anxiously asked, “General Xiao, Madam Yu’s condition is critical. Has Miss Xiao not yet figured out a way to save her?”

Xiao Yecheng didn’t answer immediately. He sat down, took a sip of tea, and then asked, “Previously, Madam Shen gave the imperial physician’s antidote to Madam Yu. How could Madam Yu suddenly suffer a toxic outbreak and vomit blood?”

“Yu Zhao’s favored concubine became pregnant and flaunted it in front of Madam Yu. Madam Yu lost her temper in the moment, which caused her to vomit blood,” Xie Fu replied without hesitation, then slammed the table in anger. “Yu Zhao has no children of his own. The moment that wretched woman was diagnosed with a ‘joy pulse,’ he happily gave her multiple shops, forgetting entirely who had supported him all these years!”

The concubine had just been diagnosed with a pregnancy, and it wasn’t even known whether it was a boy or a girl. Yet she had already gained so much. If she gave birth to a son, Yu Zhao’s entire fortune would go to that child, leaving nothing for Madam Yu.

After years of hard work, losing both wealth and happiness, it was understandable that Madam Yu lost control in a fit of anger. Xiao Yecheng, as an observer, remained calm.

He studied Xie Fu carefully and asked, “Earlier, you said the Yu household kept Madam Yu under strict watch, with not a single trusted person around her. How did you come to learn about her condition?”

Unlike his clumsy demeanor in front of Xiao Qinghe, Xiao Yecheng’s gaze was sharp now, exuding both severity and pressure.

Xie Fu abruptly stood up. “Madam Yu’s life hangs by a thread, yet General Xiao isn’t focused on saving her, and instead interrogates me? What does this mean?”

His face was full of anger, as though he had been gravely insulted.

Xiao Yecheng lifted an eyelid slightly, looking coolly at him. “Is this how you ask for help?”

Although Xiao Qinghe and Chun Xi wanted to help women in desperate situations, they didn’t help everyone indiscriminately.

Xie Zhang hadn’t expected Xie Fu to react so strongly. He quickly intervened, saying, “Brother Yecheng has his reasons for asking. We’re all trying to save her. Brother Xie, just tell the truth.”

With Xie Zhang mediating, Xie Fu sat back down.

Meanwhile, at the Shen residence:

Chun Xi was learning to brew tea from Xiao Qinghe, while Princess Hengyang cracked melon seeds and complained that her son was too delicate, which had prevented her from fully understanding the situation.

As she spoke, Madam Qian led Yu Zhao’s favored concubine, Jiang Tao, into the courtyard.

Jiang Tao was barely sixteen, with a face like a hibiscus and a slender waist. Her eyebrows and eyes carried emotion. Though charming, she was modest and didn’t look around as she walked.

Upon reaching them, Jiang Tao bowed politely. “Your Highness, Madam Shen, Miss Xiao, Jiang Tao greets you.”

Despite her striking looks, her voice was not melodious but slightly husky and rough.

Madam Qian patted her hand to comfort her. “Don’t be nervous. The princess, I, and Miss Xiao are all easy to get along with. You’ve been in Hanjing for some time—you must have heard how they’ve helped many women without support, right?”

Jiang Tao nodded but kept her eyes on her shoes.

Madam Qian then praised her to Chun Xi. “A-Xi, you don’t know—this girl dances beautifully. My husband and I saw her from afar at the Yu residence, and she looked like a fairy. I heard you wanted An’an to learn dance for exercise, so I immediately thought of her.”

She nudged Jiang Tao forward.

Though Yu Zhao had established his position in Hanjing, merchants were still low in status. Now with the opportunity to connect with the Shen family and powerful circles, Jiang Tao had been instructed to perform well.

Pushed forward, Jiang Tao bowed again. “Your Highness, Madam Shen, Miss Xiao, I humbly offer my poor performance.”

Then, she pressed her waist, raised her arms, and assumed a stance.

Chun Xi, having attended many gatherings over the past two years, recognized Jiang Tao’s solid foundation from her initial pose.

Even in a winter coat and skirt, her movements were not cumbersome. Without music, the flying hem of her skirt highlighted her beauty.

Soon, Jiang Tao performed a short dance.

She panted lightly, her face flushed, becoming even more radiant.

Chun Xi praised her, invited her to sit and have tea, and spoke with her gently.

Jiang Tao remained reserved, sipping only a little tea. She answered questions but didn’t initiate conversation.

After a long while, Chun Xi said, “Miss Jiang Tao, your dancing is excellent. I will need to think about it further. For now, you may return home and wait. In a couple of days, my eldest sister-in-law will visit the Yu residence to give you the results.”

“Very well. I will wait for Madam Shen’s news.”

Jiang Tao stood, bowed, and was about to leave, but Chun Xi stopped her. “I have a friend skilled in medicine who once gave me some syrup to restore the voice. Take two boxes home, dissolve in water, and drink.”

Jiang Tao was flattered and hurriedly said, “Thank you, Madam Shen, but my voice is long damaged. I don’t wish to waste your medicine.”

“Your dancing is breathtaking. This won’t be wasted on you.”

Chun Xi insisted, and Jiang Tao didn’t refuse. Once her maid delivered the syrup, she couldn’t help but speak. “I’ve studied dance for nearly ten years, training in all weather to reach this level. There are many ways to stay healthy, and I feel it’s unnecessary for your daughter to suffer as I have.”

With that, Jiang Tao left with Madam Qian.

Not long after, Xiao Yecheng arrived at the courtyard.

Chun Xi poured him a cup of hot tea. Xiao Yecheng didn’t drink immediately but first shared all the information he had gathered from Xie Fu.

When she learned that Jiang Tao was pregnant, Chun Xi raised an eyebrow.

The first three months of pregnancy were delicate and required rest. If Yu Zhao truly valued this child, why would he let Jiang Tao jump and move around at the Shen residence?

Princess Hengyang, having never met Madam Yu, looked at the situation differently. Frowning, she said, “I think this Jiang Tao seems modest. She doesn’t seem like the type to flaunt her pregnancy in front of the original wife and make her vomit blood. There’s more to this than it seems.”

Xiao Qinghe agreed with the princess, but the poisoning of Madam Yu and her miscarriage were real.

The situation was becoming increasingly complicated.

Chun Xi said calmly, “Time reveals a person’s heart. For now, let Miss Jiang Tao teach An’an dance. Meanwhile, send a physician to check on Madam Yu again.”

After discussing business, Princess Hengyang gossipingly turned to Xiao Qinghe. “I heard the Xiao family recently opened their clan academy. Many young talents have joined. Have you noticed anyone particularly outstanding?”

At this, Xiao Yecheng, who had been quietly staring at his tea, immediately turned to Xiao Qinghe.

He wanted to hear her answer, but when he looked up, he met Xiao Qinghe’s smiling eyes. “Talents are abundant in Zhaoling, so naturally, there are outstanding ones. But men and women are different. I haven’t visited the clan academy closely. Princess, you should ask my brother to answer this question for me.”

Princess Hengyang: “…!!!”

Something’s wrong! These two—something’s definitely wrong!

Why does that brat get sick not early, not late, but at this exact moment? She felt like she had missed so much!