Chapter 15: Reliance

Lu Qingqing’s expression changed abruptly. Hearing Xie Zhiyun’s words, her mind went blank.

“What do you mean?”

“Yes.” Xie Zhiyun took a deep breath. “This matter requires careful deliberation.”

Lu Qingqing’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched tightly. She could bear it if it were only herself—she could endure all the vicious and cruel methods aimed at her.

But Manman was still so young.

A blaze of fury erupted in Lu Qingqing’s eyes. The fact that she had reined in her sharpness did not mean she would allow herself to be trampled upon.

“No one is to speak of this to anyone,” she said.

Before her words had faded, Xie Zhiyun noticed something amiss. He seized her wrist abruptly and saw a deep gash running down her arm.

“Let go!”

Lu Qingqing struggled, but Xie Zhiyun did not release her. “What happened to you?”

“It’s none of your concern,” Lu Qingqing replied coldly, unwilling to spare him a second thought.

He was the one who had delivered her to Shen Jin; there was no need for him to feign kindness in front of her now. The road ahead was a narrow bridge—Lu Qingqing had no one she could rely on.

She had long since figured it out. From the moment someone handed her that slip of paper, it had all been a carefully laid trap. Jiang Jiuyue had lured her into crawling through the dog hole, only for Shen Jin to come to despise her. Every detail pointed to Jiang Jiuyue as the one who had poisoned Manman.

That wicked woman. Lu Qingqing clung desperately to consciousness, knowing full well that woman always hid in the shadows, pretending to be gentle and demure before Shen Jin.

In truth, her methods were as ruthless as could be.

“Qingqing, I know you hate me, and truly, I am useless. But I never meant to harm you. You’re hurt.”

Lu Qingqing turned to look at Xie Zhiyun, her gaze unflinchingly direct. “At least you’re aware of your own uselessness.”

“You—”

Xie Zhiyun was rendered speechless by her words. He shot to his feet, hands on his hips, ready to vent his anger.

But just then, Manman awoke on the bed.

“Mother~”

Her childish voice called out. She rarely spoke, but upon seeing Lu Qingqing, she reached out for her mother’s embrace.

The moment Lu Qingqing gathered Manman into her arms, her eyes turned red. She could not hold back her tears.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

“Mother is fine. Does anything hurt, Manman? Let Mother blow it away for you,” Lu Qingqing soothed her daughter gently.

But Manman smiled and said, “Father will make it better.”

Lu Qingqing had no idea that the “father” Manman spoke of was Shen Jin. She said nothing more, only coaxed Manman softly until she drifted back to sleep.

Once everything was settled, she turned to look at Xie Zhiyun.

“Help me. I must enter the palace and see the Noble Consort.” Lu Qingqing could not sit idly by while waiting for death. Manman had barely escaped with her life after being poisoned.

This debt could not go unavenged. Xie Zhiyun hesitated, still hoping to place the Xie family’s future in Shen Jin’s hands.

Seeing his hesitation, Lu Qingqing spoke coldly, “Are you truly so foolish, or just pretending not to understand? Given my relationship with Shen Jin, if he doesn’t treat you as an enemy alongside me, do you really expect him to help you?”

He stared at her in confusion.

“I escaped. Shen Jin must already know. If you don’t help me into the palace soon, you’ll be buried with me,” Lu Qingqing said calmly.

The way forward was perilous, and Lu Qingqing knew every step was fraught with danger.

A single misstep would mean utter ruin.

“What are you waiting for?”

“All right.” Xie Zhiyun, a little dazed, could only obey her after her sharp rebuke.

He still had some connections in the palace. Having always been generous and free-spending, it was not difficult for him to arrange for someone to enter.

Now, the only person Lu Qingqing could rely on was Shen Ahuai—the most esteemed Noble Consort Shen of the present day.