"Mother, do you believe her?" Xiang Wan wasn't in a hurry to expose Qin Rong's true colors; she wanted to see the Queen Mother's attitude. With her shrewdness, how could she not know the reason behind this? She wanted to know if the Queen Mother had been deceived by Qin Rong's appearance before proceeding with her next move.

From yesterday until now, in just one night, she has made up her mind. Whether she likes it or not, from the moment she became Xiang Wan, Qin Rong will not let them go. Being passively schemed against like this once is enough; she will not be soft-hearted again. If a winner must be decided between her and Qin Rong, the victor must be herself.

She has already taken precautions and knows the plot, so her chances of defeating Qin Rong are very high. If she plans carefully, it is not impossible to complete the mission ahead of schedule.

The Queen Mother's eyes were sharp as she watched the group, listening to their respective accounts. Her heart had already leaned towards her own daughter, but she remained composed this time. When Xiang Wan asked her about her, a hint of appreciation flashed in her eyes. She picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and then instructed the maid beside her to brew another cup.

The Queen Mother didn't speak, but her actions made Qin Rong and Xiao Lan extremely nervous. Qin Rong's eyes were lowered, and she looked frail. If it weren't for the fact that her fingers were tightly gripping her handkerchief, one probably wouldn't have been able to tell what was wrong with her. Xiao Lan lowered her head completely, twisting the hem of her dress with both hands.

Seeing Xiang Wan's accusatory look, the Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh: "This tea is best when it's freshly brewed. When the boiling water is poured in, the tea leaves slowly unfurl, and the aroma gradually spreads. It's refreshing and delightful to drink it when it's slightly cooled. The most fragrant flavor, of course, should be enjoyed at the right time. Too early or too late, and it won't taste the same. You're young and don't understand these things yet. But the art of tea can be cultivated over time."

The Queen Mother didn't respond to Xiang Wan's words, only explaining how to brew and taste the tea. Xiang Wan, however, had already grasped the nuances. She wasn't stupid; her mother was using tea tasting as a subtle hint to seize the opportunity and bring the matter out into the open. If she missed this chance, Qin Rong might become wary, and even if she uncovered the truth, she would have lost the initiative and risked criticism, making her appear intolerant.

Having received the Queen Mother's message, Xiang Wan naturally showed no mercy. She braced herself and said coldly to Qin Rong, "You knew about Fu Lai Xuan all along, which is why you took us there, isn't that right?"

"No, no, sister misunderstood me." Qin Rong suddenly opened her eyes wide, her expression flustered, tears welling up in her eyes, and she desperately shook her head in denial. "Sister said she had never left the manor and wanted me to take you to a fun place. I only knew that the dishes at Fu Lai Xuan were very special, so I took sister there. I didn't know there was anything wrong there."

"Is that so? You are a dignified young lady of the Qin family, and you have grown up here since you were a child. You can probably describe the surrounding environment with your eyes closed. Why pretend to be panicked?"

A hint of annoyance flashed in Qin Rong's eyes. She was about to deny it when Xiang Wan's words startled her so much that she forgot to breathe.

"Besides, when did I ever say that Fu Lai Xuan had a problem?"

Xiao Lan shuddered when she heard Xiang Wan's question, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

"What? Speechless now?"

Seeing the actions of Qin Rong and her servant, Xiang Wan snorted coldly. Compared to the Qin Rong in the story, Qin Rong at this moment was not as cunning or scheming. If she were allowed to grow any further, Xiang Wan didn't know if she could still defeat her.