Chapter Twenty-Six: The Scarlet Rash

Doctor Sun sighed repeatedly, “There’s nothing more I can do. All I can offer are some ointments to apply externally. Miss may use them for now, but I truly cannot vouch for their effectiveness.” Hearing this, Yao Ruoshui felt a chill in her heart, her face turning ashen. If even the doctor had no solution, then her daughter's illness...

Madam Su ordered for Doctor Sun to be sent off courteously. Her steady voice gave Yao Ruoshui a glimmer of hope. “If it comes to it, I shall send word to request an imperial physician from the palace to treat Zhi’er.”

“Thank you, Madam,” Yao Ruoshui choked out, bowing deeply. This time, her gratitude was genuine.

Suddenly, Su Shan’er stepped forward, pointing at Su Li Luo and cried, “It was her! Zhi’er fell ill right after she visited. Surely she poisoned the food—why else would Zhi’er become like this?”

Yao Ruoshui’s icy gaze fell upon Su Li Luo, who trembled in fear and pleaded, “Grandmother, mother, if I had done such a thing, why would I come to visit after hearing of my sister’s illness? Shouldn’t I have hidden away? I ate the same food as my sister—why am I unharmed?”

Su Li Luo’s reasoning was not without merit, making Yao Ruoshui hesitant to pass judgment. She called Su Shan’er over for further questioning. “Shan’er, are you certain it was her? Do you have any proof?”

Su Shan’er, agitated, pointed at several dishes on the table—those brought by Su Li Luo. Both Su Bai Zhi and Su Li Luo had eaten some; the rest remained untouched. “Mother, those pastries are the ones she brought. I’m sure she drugged them—have someone investigate and you’ll see.”

Yao Ruoshui raised her brows at Su Li Luo, who, eyes brimming with tears, replied, “If mother doubts me, let someone inspect the pastries. If I am guilty, may I never find peace.”

Hearing Su Li Luo swear so heavily, Yao Ruoshui’s certainty wavered. Su Li Luo, seeing the uncertainty in Yao Ruoshui’s eyes, understood that for now she was only suspected. If she could clear her name, the blame would not fall on her.

Seizing the moment, Su Li Luo added, “Mother can call the kitchen staff to testify. They saw me cooking, and Madam Lai from the kitchen tasted some as well. Bring her here to see if she’s affected.”

Su Shan’er, unwilling to let Su Li Luo escape suspicion, protested, “Who knows if you tampered with it on the way?”

“My sister watched me eat—would I harm myself as well?” Su Li Luo replied calmly.

Su Shan’er brushed her sleeves, feigning indifference, “If you took the antidote beforehand, you would be fine. Since the poison is yours, how would we know if you returned and took the antidote?”

Su Li Luo laughed in exasperation. Today, Su Shan’er seemed determined to oppose her; whatever she said, Shan’er would twist to accuse her.

“I won’t argue with my sister. When the results are out, my innocence will be clear.” Su Li Luo spoke with composure, and Yao Ruoshui could only order the maids to fetch the kitchen staff.

Su Li Luo stood quietly, her back straight. Though her face was as plain as ever, there was an unmistakable dignity to her bearing.

Madam Lai and the other kitchen servants were soon brought in. Doctor Sun was recalled midway. Madam Lai, unaware of what had transpired, knelt trembling. “This servant greets Madam, Madam Su.”

“Madam Lai, you’ve managed the kitchen for years. Did the eldest miss cook anything in the kitchen today?” Yao Ruoshui’s calm words struck Madam Lai like thunder, and she immediately prostrated herself, begging forgiveness, “Madam, I should not have let the eldest miss into the kitchen without permission. Please forgive me!”

Yao Ruoshui, impatient at the irrelevant reply, gestured to Madam Ping, who stepped forward to prompt, “Madam Lai, the madam wishes to know: did you witness the eldest miss cooking from start to finish? Did she add anything inappropriate?”

Only then did Madam Lai regain her composure, waving her hands in denial, “No, no, I watched her the whole time. I tasted several pieces myself—the flavor was truly excellent.”

Yao Ruoshui waved her away, and Madam Lai, overjoyed, gave a deep bow and hurried out.

Doctor Sun then stepped forward. Yao Ruoshui had the maids bring the mint cakes and other items before him. “Doctor, please examine these foods for anything suspicious.”

Doctor Sun broke off a small piece of mint cake, tasted it, sampled the others, smelled several dishes, then bowed and said, “These foods are all for cooling and relieving summer heat—there’s nothing amiss.”

Su Shan’er asked anxiously, “Doctor Sun, are you sure? Please check again—how could there be nothing wrong?”

Doctor Sun’s face darkened. He had practiced medicine in the capital for decades, yet here he was, being accused of incompetence by a mere girl. If he truly could do nothing, that would be one thing, but these foods were clean—he would not fabricate evidence.

“If Miss doubts me, she may call another doctor.” Doctor Sun replied coldly. Yao Ruoshui shot a fierce glare at Su Shan’er, full of warning; Su Shan’er could only pout and stop her jeering.

Seeing Doctor Sun’s verdict, Su Li Luo stepped forward and bowed, “Doctor Sun, may I ask again—are you certain there’s nothing harmful in these foods? Please say so once more.”

Doctor Sun, seeing Su Li Luo so gentle and polite—unlike the rude Su Shan’er—was willing to answer, “I cannot guarantee I can cure Second Miss, but I can certainly tell whether anything improper was added to the food. There is nothing harmful here.”

Su Li Luo bowed gracefully. “Thank you, Doctor Sun. Mother, you heard it clearly—everyone heard Doctor Sun’s words. I meant only well, knowing Zhi’er’s appetite had been poor lately, and prepared these dishes for her. Who would have thought I’d be so falsely accused?”

Doctor Sun, seeing the affair involved the Prime Minister’s household, quickly excused himself. Some matters were best left unheard.

Su Shan’er was still unwilling to concede. “Su Li Luo, stop pretending. Even if you didn’t tamper with the food, how do you explain that Zhi’er fell ill after you left?”

Yao Ruoshui stared at Su Li Luo, who calmly allowed their scrutiny and said softly, “I recall that Third Sister left after me. Does that mean Third Sister can wash her hands of this? Did she speak to her elder sister with proper respect? Is this how you honor your legitimate sister?”

Su Li Luo’s string of questions unsettled Su Shan’er, who was already hot-tempered. Seeing Su Li Luo shift suspicion onto her, she couldn’t bear it. “Bah! Su Li Luo, look in a mirror—how dare you expect me to call you ‘sister’ with that ugly face of yours? You’re not even as good as the servants!”

Madam Su’s face darkened. Watching Su Shan’er spout such insolence, she wished she could have Madam Hua slap her mouth.