As soon as Li Man'er finished speaking, the two people in the room, excluding Xiao Rudí, showed expressions of fear.
Liu Ya'er almost drew the soft sword wrapped around her waist. If Li Man'er hadn't subtly given her a look, Xiao Qiniang might have been killed on the spot.
"Sister Man'er, have you misunderstood?" Xiao Qiniang tentatively asked, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Misunderstood?" Li Man'er sneered. "The tea was infused with the oil of the Míyáng fruit. This fruit is peculiar. It cannot be eaten or used in medicine, but when it's about to rot, the oil extracted from it is very useful. This oil, while sweet, is harmless to people. People use it to make tea drinks and pastries, giving them a rich flavor. However, this oil has a drawback: it cannot be used with herbs like Rou Cong Rong or She Chuang Zi."
Liu Ya quickly asked, "Miss, what happens if they are used together?"
"Herbs like Rou Cong Rong and She Chuang Zi are originally used to treat kidney yang deficiency. When mixed with the oil of the Míyáng fruit, their medicinal effect is amplified several times, causing blood to surge, a feverish sensation, and uncontrollable desires."
Liu Ya's eyelids twitched with each word Li Man'er spoke.
"The tea I drank earlier was mixed with Míyáng fruit oil, which is why it was so fragrant and delicious. However, these pastries contain She Chuang Zi and Rou Cong Rong. If I were to eat them, I would undoubtedly fall into your trap, and this matter today would not end peacefully."
Liu Ya glared at Xiao Qiniang with murderous intent, "Miss Xiao Qi, what exactly is going on? If our lady hadn't been alert, wouldn't you have harmed her?"
"Sister Man'er, listen to me. I truly had no idea. It really has nothing to do with me."
Liu Ya was so angry she wanted to hit her. "You dare to say it has nothing to do with you? You invited our lady, didn't you? You had these things sent over, didn't you? Our lady didn't say she was hungry, yet you prepared so much and kept urging our lady to eat. I think you clearly have ill intentions."
"But, but I was also desperate because my father's leg illness flared up, and I had no choice but to seek out Sister Man'er! Two doctors were helpless. If I didn't ask her, who else could I ask to cure my father's leg?" Xiao Qiniang was on the verge of tears. "Besides, Sister Man'er is a doctor. Her medical skills are so profound; what medicine could escape her notice? Wouldn't my actions be redundant? Perhaps someone deliberately set me up."
Liu Ya was also bewildered. Thinking carefully, Xiao Qiniang's words had some logic. Furthermore, this incident was somewhat similar to the previous incident with the two military doctors. If one insisted it was Xiao Qiniang's doing, there was no evidence.
"Miss Xiao's strategy is indeed clever, allowing her to distance herself instantly. Unfortunately, I know a little secret of yours."
Xiao Qiniang feigned composure. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sister Man'er. Is there some misunderstanding between us?"
"Misunderstanding? How could there be! Miss Xiao is so intelligent, how could she allow a misunderstanding to occur!" Li Man'er smiled faintly, it was impossible to tell if she was happy or angry. "Miss Qi's ambitions are great; I am truly impressed."
Liu Ya stamped her foot anxiously. "Miss, whatever you know, please say it quickly. Are we afraid of her?"
"Don't be impatient. The play is more interesting when it unfolds bit by bit." Li Man'er asked Xiao Qiniang, "What do you think, Miss Xiao?"
"Playing mysterious and strange," Xiao Qiniang remained unmoved, as if she wasn't afraid of Li Man'er exposing her at all.
"I don't know what conflict has arisen between Miss Xiao and General Xiao, but your scheme is truly insidious. If I were to eat those things and, despite my will, become your stepmother, causing conflict between your father and brother, would Miss Xiao truly be able to stay out of it?"
Liu Ya's eyes widened, thinking, "Good heavens, so that was her plan."
Everyone could see that Xiao Si was infatuated with Li Man'er. Not yet completely smitten, but his attentiveness and the way he looked at Li Man'er were filled with tender affection.
If Li Man'er were to truly become Xiao Qiniang's stepmother, there would undoubtedly be a fierce struggle between father and son. Xiao Si was at an age of youthful impetuosity, and it was hard to say what he might do.
Liu Ya gasped, her gaze falling on Xiao Qiniang with a hint of killing intent.
This woman was truly deep-minded, even willing to harm her own father and brother. If not for their lady's alertness and capability, a major incident might have occurred today. Most importantly, why should their family's internal strife drag their own lady into it!
"Sister Man'er, don't talk nonsense. I would have to be crazy to do something like this. That is my own father, and that is my own elder brother. To frame them? What good would that do me?"
Li Man'er then said to Liu Ya, "Liu Ya, you go out first. I have something to say to Miss Xiao Qiniang alone."
"Miss."
"Go out."
Liu Ya dared not defy Li Man'er, so she picked up her medicine box and walked out. However, she did not dare to go too far, fearing that if something happened to Li Man'er, she wouldn't be able to rush back in time.
"You dismissed the maid; what do you want to say?"
Li Man'er suddenly smiled. "Are you feeling guilty? What, are you afraid I'll see your secret?"
"Don't be ridiculous." To prove she wasn't guilty, Xiao Qiniang stared intently into Li Man'er's eyes. "My conscience is clear; I have nothing to fear."
"Is that so?" Li Man'er's voice became ethereal, as if coming from a distance.
Xiao Qiniang paused. She looked up and met Li Man'er's gaze. The light in her eyes suddenly seemed to freeze, and her expression became vacant.
"You are too tired. Close your eyes and rest."
Xiao Qiniang obediently closed her eyes, like someone who had fallen asleep.
Li Man'er gently soothed Xiao Qiniang, and after confirming that Xiao Qiniang had entered a hypnotic state, she asked, "Who are you?"
As a Xuan Doctor, hypnosis was almost a mandatory skill. Moreover, their Xuan Doctor hypnosis was even more potent and advanced, requiring no auxiliary tools.
"Xiao Qiniang."
"You hate Xiao Rudí."
Xiao Qiniang, with her eyes closed, answered without hesitation, "Yes, I hate him."
"Why?" The immediate priority was to find out why Xiao Qiniang hated Xiao Rudí and Xiao Si.
"Xiao Rudí being passed off as the legitimate son? He deserves it."
Passed off as the legitimate son?
Li Man'er whistled inwardly. If that were true, then Xiao Rudí was truly despicable.
"Meaning Xiao Si is not the legitimate son?" No wonder she was scheming against Xiao Si. Yet, as far as she knew, Xiao Rudí only had two sons. If Xiao Si was not the legitimate son, then Xiao Yu, who was far away in the capital, would be the true legitimate heir?
"He is not. He was born of a lowly woman." Speaking of this, Xiao Qiniang's emotions became slightly agitated. Li Man'er soothed her a few more times before she calmed down.