Qiu Tianyun looked at Cen Xiao in horror: "So... Xuan'er's poisoning was indeed your doing!"
Cen Xiao remained silent and continued, "My wife didn't expose Qiu Mingxuan's evil deeds to the public immediately, nor did she hand over the evidence to the Prefect of the Capital. It was because of my relationship with Kejian that she left you with the last bit of dignity. So, Father, are you still planning to kneel here?"
Cen Xiao hadn't originally intended to keep the matter of Qiu Mingxuan poisoning Yang Cui a secret. It was Yang Cui who persuaded him not to make a big fuss about it. Since Qiu Mingxuan was going to die anyway, he should leave them some dignity out of consideration for Qiu Tianyun's lifelong dedication to the country and for the friendship between Qiu Kejian and Cen Xiao.
However, if Qiu Tianyun insists on kneeling today, then he himself is abandoning this dignity.
As for Qiu Mingxuan's poisoning, Cen Xiao neither denied nor admitted it.
This confirmed Qiu Tianyun's guess!
"She's my daughter, my only child in this world! How could you... how could you... *pfft*..."
Enraged, Qiu Tianyun coughed up a mouthful of blood and then fainted.
"Steward Cui, send the Duke back and immediately send someone to fetch the imperial physician," Cen Xiao said.
"yes."
After giving his instructions, Cen Xiao took Yang Cui's hand and turned to return to the mansion. Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, the others gradually dispersed.
However, they were all whispering among themselves.
"I never imagined General Cen could be so tender. I thought military officers were too rough and didn't know how to care for people. Yang Shi is quite beautiful, and her aura is far superior to Qiu Mingxuan's." Song Shanshan, a member of the crowd, said, "That scene where she angrily confronted Wang Mengyun just now was really satisfying."
“It’s clear he likes Madam Cen very much. How lucky is a woman to be protected by her husband like that? If Yingying hadn’t had that accident, she would have been very happy too.” Madam Song’s tone was full of regret. “In the end, it was our Yingying who was unlucky.”
Mentioning her younger sister Song Yingying, Song Shanshan added, "Judging from today's situation, the assassination attempt on Madam Cen is probably related to Qiu Mingxuan. She likes General Cen so much; if she can harm Madam Cen, she might also harm Yingying..."
"We have no evidence."
They investigated back then, but there was no evidence. Chen Shiqi seeing others laughing only shows that Qiu Mingxuan was gloating, and it cannot be used as evidence that she harmed others.
"Now that she's about to die, there's even less chance of finding anything."
"She was perfectly fine just a few days ago, even bickering with Shiqi at the Xie family home. Now she only has two months left to live. It's so sudden. I bet she's faking her illness to force General Cen to marry her. She's shameless!" Song Shanshan said indignantly.
Song Wangshi had a different opinion: "Judging from the Duke's appearance, Qiu Mingxuan seems to be really dying, otherwise he wouldn't be kneeling at the entrance of the General's Mansion."
After saying that, Madam Song added, "Perhaps this was Yang's doing, but it has nothing to do with us."
...
Wang Mengyun returned home seething with anger, her heart burning with hatred for Yang Cui.
After smashing two vases in her anger, she immediately summoned someone and ordered, "Find someone to spread the word about what happened today quickly. Say that Madam Yang is selfish and cold-hearted, disregarding her sworn sister's life and death, forcing the Duke to kneel at the entrance of the General's Mansion, and making the Duke vomit blood in anger..."
Today's incident of Qiu Tianyun kneeling and begging Yang Cui can't be kept secret. As long as she adds fuel to the fire and exaggerates the matter, pushing all the blame onto Yang Cui, she'll find it hard to believe that Yang Cui's reputation won't be ruined!
The news that Qiu Mingxuan only had two months to live and that Qiu Tianyun begged Cen Xiao to marry Qiu Mingxuan quickly spread like wildfire.
Indeed, many people felt that Yang Cui was cold-hearted, thinking that the girl was so devoted to him and was about to die, so what was the harm in agreeing to this small request?
The news reached the palace, and the emperor and empress personally visited the Duke's mansion to see the father and daughter of the enemy.
The Empress was startled when she saw Qiu Mingxuan's inhuman and ghostly appearance.
It's only been a short time since we last met, and you've changed so drastically. This proves the rumors are true.
"Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to grant her wish." Qiu Tianyun knelt before the Emperor and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this old minister only has this one child. Imperial Physician Sun said she only has two or three months to live. This old minister begs Your Majesty to grant her only wish!"
The Empress felt a pang of pity for Qiu Tianyun, thinking Yang Cui was too selfish and cold-hearted.
In the Empress's view, it must be that Lady Yang was preventing Cen Xiao from marrying Qiu Mingxuan.
In her current state, Qiu Mingxuan poses no threat to Yang Cui and cannot take away her position as the general's wife. Yet she still refuses, showing no consideration for Cen Xiao whatsoever. Doesn't she realize the impact those rumors will have on Cen Xiao, the general's mansion, and even herself?
Those from the countryside are indeed shallow and ignorant! I had a good impression of her before, thinking she was sensible, but it seems that was all an act.
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