The Peerless Beauty Stuck With Me

Chapter 1727 - 1726: Betrayal

"Sister Hongxiu and her father have always had a good relationship. If she knew her father was sick, who knows how upset she would be."Wen Jinjin held two nearly identical herbs in her hands, almost crushed into pulp. She couldn't think of a better solution.

"How upset would she be, Madam?"

Wen Jinjin was startled by the voice and turned to see Jin Qiao.

"Jin Qiao, why aren't you with Sister Wang Han, why come to me? Is someone sick?"

Wen Jinjin muttered continuously before, unaware whether Jin Qiao heard her.

"Madam asked me to bring some fruits over. She said you seemed distracted and looked unwell when you left. These fruits can help calm the mind."

Jin Qiao carried a basket of fresh fruits. Wen Jinjin thought her leaving didn't draw attention, but evidently, it did.

"Sister Wang Han is thoughtful, please thank your Madam for me."

Wen Jinjin accepted the fruits and instructed Jin Qiao.

"If Madam is pleased, I will surely convey your message. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Jin Qiao came suddenly and left suddenly, but before she exited the door, Wen Jinjin called her back.

"Wait, Jin Qiao, did you happen to hear me say anything when you came in?"

Though the chances are slim, Wen Jinjin wanted to ensure the matter stayed private.

"No, I didn't hear anything, why?"

Jin Qiao was stunned and replied.

Judging by Jin Qiao's demeanor, it didn't seem she was lying.

"It's nothing, you may go."

Wen Jinjin waved her hand, perhaps she was overthinking.

When the master asks, she only needs to answer, no need for more questions. Once she left Wen Jinjin's room, Jin Qiao felt a lot sweat.

"Hongxiu's father was poisoned?"

She indeed overheard, knowing sometimes it's safer to feign ignorance to stay alive.

"Jin Qiao, Madam asked you to deliver fruit, but it took you so long. Hurry up, Madam sent me to see if you got lost in Zijing City."

Yin Qiao found Jin Qiao, noticing Jin Qiao seemed off, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

"Oh, I know, I got lost in thought. Let's go now."

Yin Qiao suspected nothing, took Jin Qiao's hand toward the yard without further inquiry.

"By the way, earlier Madam mentioned assigning each master two maids. You know due to past events, this plan was delayed. While you were gone, Madam discussed her idea with the masters. They follow her lead, meaning we recruit some maids, train them, and let the masters pick after the training is done. Madam privately said she wants you and me to handle this task."

Though something to be proud of, Yin Qiao finds herself unhappy.

Finding suitable servants for the masters, each having two, means training many while ensuring enough remain after elimination for selection; it's quite a project.

"Ah? I thought Madam was just saying, after so long not mentioning it again, I assumed she'd forgotten!"

Jin Qiao's expression was hardly better than Yin Qiao's, both burdened and speechless on the way back.

"Before we go in, make sure you look pleasant. Don't look mournful all the time, or Madam will be upset again."

Jin Qiao, more perceptive than Yin Qiao, reminded her before entering.

In the yard, the women had left, leaving Wang Han alone drinking tea, seemingly waiting for Jin Qiao's arrival.

"Were the fruits delivered? Is there anything unusual with Jinjin?"

Wang Han went from difficult to approach to blending with the sisters. Now, honestly concerned, especially since Tang Rao made Wang Han head of the household, worried her shortcomings might disappoint Tang Rao.

"I didn't notice anything unusual, but I accidentally learned a secret and am unsure whether to speak."

Jin Qiao, unable to keep secrets, couldn't bear knowing and hiding from her master.

"Speak."

No matter what, Wang Han deserves to know.

Jin Qiao stayed silent, Wang Han immediately understood. "Yin Qiao, go to the kitchen to check if the soup I wanted is ready."

Sharing everything, Yin Qiao knew if it was a secret for her to know, Jin Qiao certainly would, leaving her aside meant Jin Qiao had considerations.

Yin Qiao headed out, leaving the two alone. Jin Qiao, without worries, spoke to Wang Han: "Master, while delivering fruit, I overheard Madam mentioning someone, though she muttered quietly, I still heard. She meant, Lady Hongxiu's father was poisoned in the Kao Shan Sect, with no antidote yet known. Someone intends to cause turmoil within the Kao Shan Sect."

"As I left, Madam asked if I'd heard anything. I dared not speak and claimed ignorance."

Even such a detail, Yin Qiao explained clearly, a testament to how Wang Han wasn't disappointed by someone she brought up.

"Sister Hongxiu's father?"

Wang Han suddenly thought of Tu Lingfeng, the Mountain Gate's chef, sometimes requiring reservations days ahead for certain dishes. Such a person, how could he be targeted?

In Wang Han's memory, Tu Lingfeng was mild-tempered, never offending, if harming someone, he shouldn't be the target. Who is so vicious, bold enough to plot within the Mountain Gate?

"I overheard accidentally, intended to forget, fearing Madam buried it. If something happens in the Mountain Gate, no one can shoulder the responsibility."

Jin Qiao only knew this much, conveying what she could, leaving Wang Han to handle the rest.

"You did well, you may leave. I'll think of how to handle this."

The matter known only to Wen Jinjin, now including Jin Qiao and Wang Han, before escalating, maybe with just Tu Lingfeng poisoned, Wang Han must prepare ahead.