Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 477 - 477 478 There’s a Problem_1

Chapter 477: Chapter 478: There’s a Problem_1 Chapter 477: Chapter 478: There’s a Problem_1 “Mu, have some tea,” Qingmei directly handed over the tea.

Muniang had just argued with Steward Chen, and her heart was troubled. How could she be in the mood for tea? She simply waved her hand: “Just put it there.”

Qingmei’s palms were sweating, but having come this far, how could she just let it go?

“Mu, even if you’re tired from a day’s work, you can’t neglect your health like this. I specifically brewed Bi Luo Chun for you, knowing it’s your favorite. It’s best to drink it while it’s hot,” Qingmei persisted, pushing the teacup closer to Muniang.

Muniang didn’t want to disappoint her kindness, so she agreed to take a sip, and as she lifted her eyes, she saw the hopeful gaze in Qingmei’s eyes, seemingly expectant. Muniang, being observant, didn’t think much of it,

but as she was about to taste the tea, her eyebrows furrowed: “Is this Bi Luo Chun? It doesn’t smell right.”

A flash of panic swept through Qingmei’s eyes: “What’s wrong? Could it be that my tea leaves are not fresh?”

Muniang shook her head: “There seems to be an additional scent.”

Qingmei was breaking out in a cold sweat. She had thought that, at most, Muniang, a country girl, claimed to like tea only to enhance her own status, and in reality, wouldn’t be able to discern much. Yet, she had been unaware of Muniang’s prowess in tea, where she could detect an altered flavor with just a slight addition.

“It’s just some tonic I added seeing that you’ve looked a bit pale lately, so I…”

Muniang had begun to suspect something and was about to ask further about the tonic when Lu Qi’er burst in, excitedly saying, “Mu! My father finally gave me a day off, and I rushed right here, almost bursting with impatience!”

Muniang was startled before replying, “Qi’er, why don’t you go watch the play outside? Tianniu is also watching.”

Lu Qi’er walked over with a big smile: “The play is almost over. I’m waiting to watch the full performance at noon. It’s not as fun to start watching in the middle.”

As she spoke, she noticed the teacup in Muniang’s hand and blurted out, “I’m dying of thirst! Mu, may I have a sip?”

Then she took the cup from Muniang’s hands. Muniang knew that Qi’er was a wild child, not at all like a well-bred young lady and was used to her playful ways. Muniang actually enjoyed this closeness and didn’t mind, simply laughing, “You gluttonous cat, always thinking everything I have is so great.”

Lu Qi’er giggled and was about to drink from the cup, but Qingmei’s face changed, and she quickly intervened: “This tea was specially brewed for Mu, you shouldn’t drink it!”

At these words, not only was Lu Qi’er embarrassed, but Muniang was also taken aback, clearly unaware of why Qingya would suddenly act so out of line.

Lu Qi’er was quick-witted, having learned from her father how to mingle in social circles. She couldn’t just stand there dumbfounded, so she said with a laugh to smooth things over, “Qingya, you’re so stingy. Could it be that you only brewed this one cup? You’d be heartbroken to let me have a sip, I’ll be so hurt.”

Now it was Qingmei’s turn to feel embarrassed. Aware that Lu Qi’er had offered her a way out, if she was to respond jokingly now, the issue could be resolved. If she remained oblivious, she would be the one embarrassed in the end.

Qingmei thought that the tea had nothing more than safflower in it, which would only promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis for ordinary people. Only pregnant women could be harmed by it, so perhaps this attempt had been in vain. If Lu Qi’er drank it, no one would notice anything amiss. As for Muniang, she could serve her another cup later.

After much contemplation, Qingmei finally nodded her head.

However, this moment of hesitation increasingly aroused Muniang’s suspicions. She was always a suspicious person, but she didn’t guard against Qingmei and her siblings—until today. Qingmei’s behavior was abnormal, one odd act after another, which struck Muniang as strange. Why couldn’t Lu Qi’er drink the tea? Was Qingmei truly so ignorant of propriety? She didn’t believe it.

Lu Qi’er was eager to drink along, yet Muniang stopped her, “Qi’er, hold on. You’re not acting like a young lady of your standing—always snatching things. Be careful, or I’ll tell your father to correct this bad habit of yours.”

Lu Qi’er felt incredibly aggrieved; Mu had never used to scold her with such stiffness before.

But Muniang glared at her, and Lu Qi’er quieted down, swallowing her grievances.

“You two, go out and play—not here bothering me. I have a headache,” Muniang really did have a headache. The recent events had already been enough to upset her, and she truly had no energy left for more concerns. Besides, Steward Chen’s words just now had been incredibly aggravating, and she had a belly full of anger with nowhere to vent it.

Lu Qi’er could see that Muniang was in a bad mood, so she prudently hurried out. Qingmei wanted to say more, but Qingya, feeling sorry for her mistress, immediately pulled Qingmei out with her.

Watching Qingmei’s behavior, Muniang felt even more that something wasn’t right; her anger grew. She slammed the cup down on the table and called out sharply, “Qingya!”

Qingya quickly came in, “Lady, what’s the matter?”

“Go find a doctor to check what’s really in this tea,” Muniang’s voice carried a tiredness.

Qingya, looking at the tea on the table, was immediately alarmed—wasn’t this the tea Miss Qingmei had brought over? Why would the lady want someone to check it? Could it be possible that…

Qingya dared not think further and quickly agreed, turning to leave straight away.

Muniang, however, called her back, “Remember, do it quietly, don’t alarm anyone.”

Qingya naturally understood and nodded, then immediately left.

Muniang, looking at the tea cup, suddenly felt exhausted. It would be best if the tea hadn’t been tampered with, otherwise, all her care for Qingmei over the past two years would have been a complete waste!

Having been reprimanded by Muniang for no apparent reason, Lu Qi’er was incredibly upset and went to Tianniu to complain, “Has Mu been spending too much time with my father, becoming as stiff as he is? She didn’t used to talk to me like that.”

Tianniu found this strange upon hearing these words. She was clever, and Muniang had particularly trained her, so she would naturally think more deeply than others. Being an outsider sometimes made things clearer, and from what Lu Qi’er said, Muniang seemed to be the one behaving abnormally, but it made Tianniu even more suspicious of Qingmei.

Remembering her visit to Qingmei that morning, Tianniu had felt something was off. She had thought Qingmei was just in a bad mood with her, but now it seemed there might be another reason.

Tianniu lowered her voice, “Qi’er, stop crying for a moment. If Mu had truly become as stuffy as your father, she wouldn’t have let me learn about business with her. As for the tea, if Mu doesn’t want you to drink it, it’s not necessarily because she wants to see you act like a proper young lady.”

Lu Qi’er was taken aback, “What do you mean?”

“I’m afraid the tea might be poisoned.”