Chapter 581: Chapter 581: Zhong Yi Likes Qiao Xi

Lu Yingxue took a deep breath, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

“Zhong Yi likes Qiao Xi.”

Lu Bannong’s teacup almost fell to the ground, “Do you have evidence?”

“I have no evidence, but I am certain that it is true.”

She couldn’t find concrete evidence to confront Zhong Yi directly, but those details and coincidences had entirely revealed everything.

Lu Yingxue bit her lip, rather angrily, “Father, Xiang Ze met with me before he went abroad. He said he saw Zhong Yi’s unusual attention and actions towards Qiao Xi. I then had someone follow up on this lead. Do you remember the serious injury Zhong Yi suffered in Haicheng?”

Lu Bannong nodded, “That was Zhong Lingxiao’s only chance to send someone to eliminate Zhong Yi.”

“Exactly that time. I found out that the people arranged by Zhong Lingxiao were searching near Moon Village, indicating that Zhong Yi was also around there. Moon Village is where Qiao Xi grew up!”

Lu Yingxue’s eyes were cold as ice, “All those gifts of Golden Needles and the competition tests, those were protections from Zhong Yi and Huo Xingzhou for Qiao Xi! They wanted to ensure Qiao Xi would win at the competition. All those inexplicable coincidences and sanctimonious reasons were Zhong Yi’s schemes against me! Including him seducing Mingzhu to sabotage our plans!”

All by Zhong Yi’s doings!

Lu Bannong’s face turned livid, “Zhong Yi!”

Who could have imagined!

“Father, let’s pretend we don’t know what Zhong Yi has done. I will still marry him, help him secure the heir position of the Zhong Family. Once the old master passes away, the position of Family Head will be Zhong Yi’s, and by then when I give birth to a son… Zhong Yi will be worthless.”

Lu Yingxue was very patient, for revenge can be exacted even ten years later.

She slowly plotted, her slight affection for Zhong Yi completely turning into hatred and revenge.

“You have considered everything thoroughly, let’s proceed as planned. Make sure you act lovingly with him, don’t let him sense anything. But… Qiao Xi can’t be kept around!”

Qiao Xi must be eliminated!

“Father is right! Qiao Xi must die, she poses endless troubles alive. It’s detestable that she occupies the vice president position at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, blocking our Lu Family’s path.”

“There’s still time ahead.”

Lu Bannong glanced at her and advised, “Don’t be impatient, Qiao Xi values loyalty and righteousness. You know people who are kind-hearted always have many weak spots. For instance, her mentor Cheng Han, we’ve already released the news that Cheng Qingnian is alive, Cheng Han is bound to fall into the trap soon…”

Lu Yingxue’s expression softened somewhat, “Back then everyone thought that woman had committed suicide, who would have expected her to still be alive. Cheng Han only has this one daughter.”

“Don’t worry, first go to the Zhong Family to learn the Gold Needle Technique from Huang Bingyi. The more you can learn, the better. Make sure there are no mishaps before the engagement banquet. Press Zhong Yi more, tell him the old master wants you to have children…”

“I understand.”

Lu Yingxue stood up, “Then I’ll head to the Zhong Family now.”

“Hmm.”

…

That afternoon.

Qiao Xi once again declined the Zhong Family’s invitation to stay for a meal, leaving the old Zhong residence directly.

Today’s needle-learning session with Old Mr. Huang at the Zhong Family was not pleasant, as Lu Yingxue kept interrupting her needling, yet frustratingly never catching her making a mistake.

Qiao Xi quickened her steps, looking back at the vast courtyard, feeling like there were eyes on her, not malevolent, but somewhat hard to ignore.

“Young Madam.”

Old Chen didn’t dare stray too far from her; this was specifically instructed by the young master.

“The young master instructed me to drive you to the Haicheng private kitchen where we dined yesterday, and after that to go to Xie Mansion. What do you think?”

Qiao Xi retracted her gaze and nodded, “You arrange it.”

“Alright then.”

Old Chen hurriedly moved forward and opened the car door, saying, “Young Madam, please get into the car.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Qiao Xi got into the back seat, pondering the morning’s events at the Zhong Family. The old master of the Zhong Family insisted Zhong Yi and Lu Yingxue cultivate their relationship, so Zhong Yi also sat next to Old Mr. Huang, constantly watching their needling.

The inexplicable details about Zhong Yi’s situation unsettled her.

She took out her phone, lowered her head, and sent another message to Xu Yunye.

“Can you check out the county hospital where Grandpa Cheng took Ayi for treatment years ago? If possible, I would like to meet the doctor who treated her. Make sure… don’t reveal any traces, don’t tell anyone.”

Xu Yunye was the most suitable person to investigate this matter now.

Having handled medicinal herb business, he had left the Imperial Capital and broadened his connections by traveling around, which possibly got him more evidence from all walks of life.

A little while later.

Xu Yunye replied with a simple “Okay.”

Qiao Xi put away her phone and rubbed her temples.

Today, Huo Xingzhou had gone out for business, so the couple wouldn’t stick together all day, only spending more time together during the evening.

Seeing her downcast mood, Old Chen tried to cheer her up, “Young Madam, the eldest miss has moved back home today. Xiaoyun specially called me to say this; the eldest miss misses you.”

Sure enough, Qiao Xi’s attention was caught: “She’s not staying at the hotel anymore?”

“Yes, she mentioned she missed the feeling of home.”

Qiao Xi smiled and said, “Maybe it’s because there’s no Shen Xuanzhi at the hotel, so she remembered us.”

Old Chen chuckled naively, “Mr. Shen is not bad, just a bit stubborn. A man should chase whatever he loves, all difficulties can be overcome.”

Qiao Xi understood too well the insecurities deep inside Shen Xuanzhi, and said, “He must have his reasons; matters of the heart have no right or wrong.”

She herself once felt she wasn’t worthy of Huo Xingzhou.

Caught in deep conflict and loathing, and even influenced by Xu Xingluo, she had uttered the word ‘divorce’.

The car drove all the way to Xie Mansion.

There were already hosts from Xie Mansion to greet them; the butler and Xie Xubai’s mother, Wanling, personally stood at the door waiting, giving Qiao Xi much respect.

As soon as the car stopped, the butler stepped forward to open the door.

“Is it Doctor Qiao? I am the butler of Xie Mansion; this is Mrs. Wanling, mother of President Xie.”

Qiao Xi examined the benevolent and gentle-faced Mrs. Xie and nodded with a smile: “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Xie.”

Mrs. Wanling smiled gently, exuding tenderness, “It’s tough on you to make the trip, Doctor Qiao, please come inside quickly.”

“Okay.”

The butler and Mrs. Wanling led Qiao Xi inside, while Old Chen followed behind carrying a medicine box.

Xie Mansion was entirely different from the old residence of the Zhong Family; Xie Mansion had a profound scholarly atmosphere, and the hosts were very amiable. There was no oppressive arrogance from above, inherently making people feel favorable.

No wonder so many ladies from Imperial Capital’s prestigious families desired to marry Xie Xubai; at least this prospective mother-in-law seemed very approachable.

“Please take a seat, Doctor Qiao. I’ll go call the Old Madam downstairs…”

“That’s fine, I’m not in a hurry.”

Qiao Xi sat down while Mrs. Wanling went upstairs. A servant brought Qiao Xi tea and some fruit snacks, whispering, “Please enjoy, Doctor Qiao. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

After Mrs. Wanling headed upstairs, Qiao Xi noticed the orderly comings and goings at Xie Mansion, and faint sounds even came from the kitchen.

Curiously, she asked, “Xie Mansion hasn’t had lunch yet?”

It was already one o’clock.

The servant smiled and explained, “Tonight, the Eldest Young Master is bringing his girlfriend for their first visit; the Old Madam has commanded the kitchen to prepare early. It must be grand, and dinner cannot be taken lightly.”

That’s what the Old Madam had said; the Eldest Young Master was about to leave the single life, and thus it spread among these servants.

Qiao Xi nodded, but a hint of curiosity emerged in her mind.

Why does Xie Xubai suddenly have a girlfriend now?