Chapter 35: A clever scheme to ruin your reputation!
The news that Su Wanqing was going to give an academic report at the General Hospital of the Military Region, along with her astonishing three-truckload dowry, became the hottest topic in the upper-class circles of Beijing.
The former is the stamp of her ability.
The latter is a declaration of her wealth.
These two incidents completely shattered everyone's preconceived notions about her being a "country girl".
The name Su Wanqing is no longer an appendage of Lu Zhanting, but an independent symbol with its own mysterious aura.
Some people respect him, some fear him, and naturally, some are driven mad with jealousy.
Song Family Villa.
On the expensive carpet, there were fragments of newly replaced antique porcelain.
Song Tingyu's eyes were bloodshot, and her chest heaved violently with rapid breathing.
"Why should I!"
She roared and swept all the expensive bottles and jars off the dressing table, the sound of them shattering echoing everywhere.
Su Wanqing, Su Wanqing!
These three words were like a poisonous thorn stuck in her heart, each beat bringing sharp pain.
She was born into a noble family and had an outstanding appearance; she had lived in the spotlight since childhood.
She should have been Lu Zhanting's wife, the future mistress of the Lu family.
Now, everything she had has been taken away by that country woman.
She lost Lu Zhanting, lost her engagement with the Lu family, and lost her queen-like status in Beijing's socialite circles.
Those who used to fawn over her all day now avoid her.
But Su Wanqing, stepping on her face, gradually ascended to the position she had always dreamed of.
He cured the old lady, won over Lu Zhenguo, and displayed astonishing wealth. Now he's even going to give lectures at the military hospital.
Each one was like an invisible slap, burning hot against Song Tingyu's face.
She hates it.
She was unwilling to accept it!
"Miss, please calm down. Don't get upset and harm your health." The maid hunched her shoulders and carefully cleaned up the mess on the floor.
Song Tingyu turned around abruptly, her eyes filled with such venom that it was almost tangible: "Get out! All of you, get out!"
The servant was terrified and scrambled out of the room.
In the empty room, only Song Tingyu's heavy breathing remained.
She collapsed onto the carpet, utterly exhausted, her eyes vacant, overwhelmed by despair.
At that moment, a small makeup mirror on the bedside table reflected her distorted and haggard face.
Makeup mirror...
A crazy idea instantly ignited her dormant mind.
She sat up abruptly, a terrifying light returning to her empty eyes.
She remembered.
A few days ago, she overheard several socialites whispering that Lu Zhan's sister, Lu Yao, had recently been recommending a magical "Jade Complexion Cream" in their circle.
It is said to be personally prepared by Su Wanqing, and its effects are excellent. It can make the skin delicate and smooth in just a few days.
Everyone who has used it raves about it, praising it to the skies.
"Su Wanqing... Jade Complexion Cream..."
Song Tingyu muttered to herself, her lips slowly parting into a ferocious grin.
Aren't you a miracle doctor? Aren't you good at winning people's hearts?
I'll make you turn what you made into poison that destroys you!
I'll make you fall from grace and become a viperous woman despised by everyone!
This thought made Song Tingyu's blood run hot.
She immediately got up from the ground, her mind racing, and a wicked plan took shape in her mind.
She wants to get back at them.
She wanted Su Wanqing to pay the most terrible price for taking everything from her.
The opportunity came quickly.
Through a distant cousin who was still willing to talk to her, Song Tingyu learned some news.
Three days later, the wife of a vice minister of the Ministry of Finance was going to hold a small flower viewing party at home, and invited all the wives of prominent officials in the capital.
Coincidentally, that vice minister was the Lu family's political rival.
Song Tingyu's eyes lit up.
This is a golden opportunity.
She acted immediately.
The first step is to obtain Su Wanqing's Jade Complexion Cream.
She set her sights on a woman named Zhang Qian.
Zhang Qian's husband is a regimental-level officer under Lu Zhanting. He lacks assertiveness but is keen on currying favor. Song Tingyu had some acquaintance with her and knew that she had always wanted to curry favor with the Lu family.
Song Tingyu took the initiative to call Zhang Qian, adopting an extremely humble attitude. She said that she had been blinded by greed and offended Su Wanqing, and now she deeply regretted it and wanted to find an opportunity to apologize, but she was too ashamed to do so.
She subtly brought up the Jade Complexion Cream, saying that her skin had been in very poor condition lately and that she had heard that Su Wanqing's Jade Complexion Cream had miraculous effects, so she wanted to ask her to help her get some to try.
Zhang Qian took the bait as expected.
She saw this as a good opportunity to impress her future mistress and immediately agreed.
The next day, Zhang Qian used her connections to get a small box of Yu Rong Cream from Lu Yao under the pretext of "wanting to show filial piety to her mother," and delivered it to Song Tingyu.
The moment she received the Jade Complexion Cream, a triumphant smile appeared on Song Tingyu's face.
She immediately took the jade cream and went to see a black market doctor she had already contacted.
"Add this in." Song Tingyu pushed a paper package and the Jade Complexion Cream in front of the doctor, her eyes cold.
"What I want is for my face to be covered in red rashes, itchy and painful, and it will definitely not get better in a short time after using it."
The black market doctor opened the paper package and rubbed it; it was a potent allergen powder. He smiled sinisterly: "Don't worry, Miss Song, this stuff is colorless and odorless. If you mix it in, no one will be able to detect it."
Lured by the money, the doctor quickly and perfectly mixed the powder into the Jade Complexion Cream, making it indistinguishable from the real thing in terms of appearance and smell.
The second step of the plan is complete.
On the day of the flower viewing party, Song Tingyu dressed up carefully, carrying the "extra" jade face cream and several generous gifts, and went to the home of the vice minister's wife.
She was humble and apologized to the host family as soon as they met, saying that she was young and ignorant and hoped that the ladies would forgive her for her foolishness.
One shouldn't hit a smiling face, and seeing how sensible she was and how generous the gifts she brought, the host readily accepted her.
The atmosphere at the flower viewing party was in full swing.
Song Tingyu seized the opportunity and took out the box of Jade Complexion Cream.
"Ladies and sisters, I know I have done many wrong things in the past and offended the Lu family. This is a jade cream made by the eldest young mistress of the Lu family, which I obtained with great difficulty. Consider it my apology to you all."
She opened the box, and a delicate fragrance instantly filled the air.
"This stuff is incredibly effective. My cousin used it for just a few days and her skin became amazing. Today, I'm sharing it with you ladies as a small token of my appreciation."
As she spoke, she personally used a small jade spoon to divide the jade cream into several exquisite small porcelain bottles that she had prepared in advance, and presented them to the most prominent ladies present, including the host, the wife of the vice minister.
Seeing her sincere attitude and hearing that the Jade Complexion Cream was made by Su Wanqing herself, the ladies accepted it with great interest.
As Song Tingyu watched them put away the small porcelain bottles, she sneered inwardly.
Su Wanqing, just wait, the show is about to begin.
Meanwhile, in the east wing of the Lu family's house.
Lu Yao was excitedly reporting the "sales" of the Jade Complexion Cream to Su Wanqing.
"Sister-in-law, you have no idea, your Jade Complexion Cream is all the rage in our circle! So many people are trying to get me through connections, I'm practically the most popular person in our family!"
Su Wanqing smiled and was counting the first batch of finished products that were ready for official sale.
“Oh, right,” Lu Yao suddenly remembered something, “A couple of days ago, Sister Zhang Qian also came to me, saying she wanted to ask her mother for a box. Didn’t she used to be quite close to Song Tingyu? This time she’s quite proactive.”
What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Su Wanqing paused in her action of dispensing the ointment.
Zhang Qian? Song Tingyu?
The sight of those two names together sent a sudden alarm bell ringing in her heart.
Liu Yuzhen has fallen, but Song Tingyu, this malignant tumor, remains. Given her personality, she will never give up so easily.
"How much did she ask for?" Su Wanqing asked.
"I only ordered a small box, saying it was for trial use," Lu Yao replied.
Su Wanqing was silent for a moment, then said to Lu Yao, "Yao Yao, do me a favor. Go and find out who Zhang Qian gave the box of Jade Complexion Cream to in the end."
“Okay.” Although Lu Yao was puzzled, she immediately agreed.
Su Wanqing's gaze sharpened as she looked at the crystal-clear jade-like face creams on the table.
She had a strong premonition.
Song Tingyu's counterattack is coming.
She made no sound, but turned and went into the inner room. From her secret medicine cabinet, she took out several herbs with strong detoxifying and soothing effects and began to prepare another ointment overnight.
The storm was quietly gathering in a corner that no one noticed.
The next afternoon, the Lu family's phone suddenly started ringing off the hook.
The first call came from the Vice Minister of Finance.
His voice was filled with suppressed anger, and the call was made directly to Lu Zhenguo.
"Lu Zhenguo! How dare your Lu family! You had your granddaughter-in-law make poison to harm my wife! If you don't give me an explanation for this, we're not done yet!"
Lu Zhenguo was completely bewildered by the scolding.
Before he could even ask what was going on, a second and a third phone call came in quick succession.
Without exception, they were all prominent figures in both the military and political circles.
They angrily accused their wives of developing large red rashes on their faces after using Su Wanqing's Jade Complexion Cream, causing unbearable itching, and that they had all been hospitalized.
The news spread like wildfire, reaching the entire capital city overnight.
Rumors spread.
"Have you heard? The granddaughter-in-law of the Lu family, that so-called miracle doctor, is selling poisonous ointments!"
"That's right, several officials' wives have been disfigured and are still in the hospital!"
"I knew it! How could a country girl have such great abilities? She must be a fraud!"
Su Wanqing's reputation as a "miracle doctor" plummeted instantly, and she became synonymous with "poisonous woman" and "liar".
The Lu family compound was shrouded in gloom.
The old lady paced anxiously in the living room. Lu Zhenguo, his face ashen, remained silent, but the third teacup he had crushed in the study betrayed his inner rage.
Only Su Wanqing remained calm.
When Lu Zhanting stormed in from outside, radiating coldness, he saw her sitting on the sofa, calmly sipping tea.
"Wanqing!" Lu Zhanting strode to her side and took her hand. "It's all over the place, what's going on?"
“It’s Song Tingyu.” Su Wanqing put down her teacup, looked up at him, her eyes clear and calm. “She added something to the beauty cream I sent out.”
At this moment, Lu Yao also ran in with a mournful face: "Sister-in-law, I found out! Zhang Qian gave the Jade Complexion Cream to Song Tingyu! It must have been her! That vicious woman!"
"Don't panic." Su Wanqing stood up and looked around at the two flustered people. "Panic won't solve anything. Now, do as I say."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that could calm people's hearts.
"Yaoyao, take the new 'Skin-Clearing Ointment' I prepared yesterday to the hospital to visit those ladies. Tell them it's the antidote. After applying it, the itching will stop within fifteen minutes, and the rash will disappear within three days without leaving any scars."
"Zhan Ting, immediately send men to apprehend the black market doctor who drugged Song Tingyu, and Zhang Qian as well. I need witnesses, people, and people to testify."
"I'll talk to Grandpa."
She assigned tasks in a clear and organized manner, without the slightest sign of panic.
As Lu Zhanting and Lu Yao looked at her, their anxiety and panic miraculously subsided.
"Okay!" the two replied in unison, and immediately went their separate ways.
Su Wanqing then entered the study, which had a somber atmosphere.
"grandfather."
Lu Zhenguo raised his head and looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.
“Give me one day.” Su Wanqing’s tone was calm but firm. “Within one day, I will bring the real culprit who poisoned me to you. I will also turn this crisis into the best advertisement for our Jade Complexion Cream.”
Lu Zhenguo stared into her confident and composed eyes, and the anger and doubt in his heart were suppressed by her powerful confidence.
He remained silent for a long time, and finally, he squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.
"good."
A brilliant counterattack has begun.
Lu Yao rushed to the hospital with the antidote.
The wives of officials were groaning in pain and cursing the Lu family.
But when they applied Su Wanqing's "skin-cleansing cream" with a try-it-out mentality, everyone was stunned.
The moment the cooling ointment was applied to my face, the burning, itchy sensation disappeared within just a few minutes.
Half an hour later, the redness and swelling on my face had visibly subsided by more than half.
This effect is much faster than any Western medicine prescribed by the hospital.
Their attitude immediately changed from anger to surprise and doubt.
On the other side, Lu Zhanting acted with lightning speed.
He personally led his men to a filthy underground clinic and caught the black market doctor red-handed.
Faced with overwhelming force and professional interrogation techniques, the doctor confessed everything in less than three minutes, even identifying Song Tingyu as his suspect. He even handed over a secretly recorded audio recording of his transaction with Song Tingyu.
Zhang Qian was also taken to the Lu family. Upon learning that she had become an accomplice in the poisoning and might face a military court, she broke down in fear and cried out that she had been deceived by Song Tingyu.
There are witnesses and physical evidence.
The next morning, Su Wanqing instructed Lu Yao to invite all the victimized women and their husbands to the Lu family home to "demand an explanation."
The main hall of the Lu family residence was filled with people, and the atmosphere was heavy.
Song Tingyu also came. She was forced to come by her father, who hoped that she could take this opportunity to completely crush Su Wanqing.
She sat in the crowd, a sickly excitement on her face, waiting to see how Su Wanqing would handle the situation.
Accompanied by Lu Zhanting, Su Wanqing slowly walked into the main hall.
"Su Wanqing! You poisonous woman! How dare you show your face!" The vice minister's wife pointed at her and screamed as soon as she saw her.
"Madam, how is your face feeling today?" Su Wanqing asked with a smile.
One sentence left the lady speechless. She subconsciously touched her face, which had regained its smoothness, even becoming more delicate than before.
"I invited you all here today to give you an explanation."
Su Wanqing clapped her hands, and the guards brought in the trembling black market doctor and Zhang Qian.
"This doctor has confessed that he was instructed to put a potent allergen powder called 'Red Demon' into the Jade Complexion Cream."
Su Wanqing's gaze swept coldly over Song Tingyu.
Then, she looked at Zhang Qian and said, "Zhang Qian, you tell me, who told you to trick Lu Yao out of the Jade Complexion Cream, and who told you to hand it over?"
Zhang Qian was already terrified. She pointed at Song Tingyu and screamed, "It was her! It was Song Tingyu! She ordered me to do it!"
All eyes instantly focused on Song Tingyu.
Song Tingyu's face drained of all color in an instant.
"You're lying! I didn't!" she frantically protested.
"No?" Su Wanqing sneered and nodded to Lu Zhanting beside her.
Lu Zhanting turned on a recorder and pressed play.
Song Tingyu's cold and vicious voice came clearly from inside:
"...What I want is for my face to be covered in red rashes, itchy and painful, and it definitely won't get better in a short time..."
The evidence is irrefutable!
As Song Tingyu heard her own voice echoing throughout the hall, her vision went black, and she collapsed completely into her chair.
The truth has come out.
Everyone present looked at her with disdain and disgust.
"A madman! He's a complete madman!"
"How vicious! To get revenge, they actually resorted to such despicable means!"
The deputy minister was trembling with rage. He hadn't expected to become a pawn in the Song family's revenge against the Lu family. He looked at Song Tingyu's father, his voice icy: "Commander Song, what a fine daughter you've raised!"
Commander Song's face turned pale and then red, wishing he could disappear into the ground on the spot.
Just then, Lu Zhenguo came out from behind the screen.
He didn't look at the Song family father and daughter, but walked to the main seat, his voice as authoritative as a mountain: "My Lu family doesn't cause trouble, but we're never afraid of it. Someone has come to our doorstep, using such despicable means to harm my family and ruin the reputation of my Lu family. I, Lu Zhenguo, will never let this matter rest!"
He looked at the guard beside him: "Call the police! Malicious poisoning, intentional assault. Sentence them according to the law!"
These words sealed Song Tingyu's fate.
Song Tingyu completely broke down. She cried and struggled, and was eventually taken away by the police without any mercy.
A meticulously planned and furious act of retaliation ultimately backfired in an extremely embarrassing manner.
After the storm subsided, Su Wanqing's Jade Complexion Cream not only did not lose its reputation, but instead became famous as a result of the misfortune.
Everyone now knows that the Jade Complexion Cream is incredibly effective and safe. And the antidote Su Wanqing concocted, the "Skin-Clearing Cream," has even more immediate and miraculous effects.
In an instant, orders for Yu Rong Cream and Qing Ji Cream poured in like snowflakes.
Su Wanqing stood by the window of the east wing, looking at the packaged ointments waiting to be transported away in the courtyard, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
Song Tingyu's madness was ultimately just an insignificant stepping stone on her road to success.
Her real battlefield is in a much farther place.
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