"Aunt, calm down!"
When Aunt Liu mentioned the Fourth Aunt, Song Chaoyu wasn't surprised at all.
She had long suspected that the Fourth Aunt was up to something, but she had never found any evidence.
It was just an inexplicable feeling. Even though the Fourth Aunt treated them mother and daughter well on weekdays, Song Chaoyu could never bring herself to like this Fourth Aunt.
Aunt Liu's eyes immediately reddened. Thinking of her child suffering, she clenched her fists tightly at her sides. "It was her! She gave me that incense. She said it was from her hometown and could help people fall asleep faster. I sometimes went to her place and saw her using it, so I didn't suspect anything. Is there really something wrong with this incense?"
As she mentioned the incense, Fan Jiangyue and Qiu Qing had already dug out some incense ash and were carefully examining it.
"Chongming Incense?"
Fan Jiangyue's brows furrowed slightly. "This is rarely seen here. It's something from the northern nomadic tribes, and I've heard it's only found among some smaller tribes. Chongming Incense is very difficult to make. How did this Fourth Aunt get it?"
This reminded Song Chaoyu that the foul substance that had harmed Song Jiayang before, and the Datura that had appeared earlier, all came from the nomadic tribes!
Therefore, the Fourth Aunt must have had a close connection with that tribe of the nomadic people.
Upon hearing Fan Jiangyue's words, Qiu Qing also nodded seriously. "In that nomadic tribe, Chongming Incense is used for rituals. Therefore, some unique herbs from the nomadic tribes are added to it. It does have a sleep-inducing effect, but all medicine has some toxicity. These nomadic herbs are different from those in the Central Plains, and their medicinal properties are strong. Perhaps they have no effect on adults, but they can harm children's bodies and cause symptoms that adults would not experience."
Qiu Qing's tone was certain. "I believe that Qing Ge'er's diarrhea and lack of energy are all due to these herbs. This Chongming Incense must not be used again in the future."
Fan Jiangyue sighed and simply extinguished the incense in the censer. "Qiu Qing is right. I was careless. I noticed this incense smelled different from before these past few days, but I didn't think this much into it. Moreover, seeing how close the Fourth Aunt and Aunt Liu were, I never thought she would want to harm Qing Ge'er. Fortunately, we discovered it early. Qiu Qing was a great help today, otherwise, I'm afraid I still wouldn't know it was the incense!"
Qiu Qing, being praised like this, felt a little embarrassed despite her usual calm demeanor. "You always find things. You are the best physician I have ever met. I still have much to learn from you in the future."
The two of them truly appreciated each other.
However, they knew what was most important now, and they looked at Aunt Liu. "We will inspect this room again. Aunt and Fourth Miss, please take Qing Ge'er out for a walk. We will call you back after we have finished our inspection. When you return, Qing Ge'er's medicine should also be ready. Although Qing Ge'er is still young, to prevent any lingering health issues in the future, he still needs to take a decoction for two days."
Aunt Liu wiped away her tears and nodded quickly.
Song Chaoyu didn't say anything more. She took Tiao Hong and went into the room, carried Xiao Qing'er out, and then said to Aunt Liu with certainty, "Come, let's go sit with Grandmother!"
Aunt Liu grabbed Song Chaoyu's hand. "We probably can't tell Grandmother about this yet! We don't have any evidence! Anyone could have handled the incense, so we can't directly blame the Fourth Aunt."
Song Chaoyu naturally knew this.
She smiled coldly. "We don't need to tell Grandmother everything. As long as Grandmother knows that Xiao Qing'er has been unwell for the past two days, she will naturally protect him. Aunt, don't worry, let's go directly!"
---
Even if Song Chaoyu hadn't taken Xiao Qing'er to see their grandmother, the Old Madam of the Song family would have certainly come to see Xiao Qing'er.
So, seeing them, mother and daughter, arrive with Xiao Qing'er, the Old Madam's eyes were filled with joy. "Oh, why have you come at this hour? Oh dear, quickly let me see Xiao Qing'er!"
As soon as she held Xiao Qing'er in her arms, the Old Madam frowned. "What's wrong? Xiao Qing'er's complexion doesn't look good. Why is he still sleeping at this hour?"
Aunt Liu's eyes reddened with grievance, unable to hold back any longer.
The Old Madam realized something was wrong. "Fourth girl, tell me, what's going on?"
Song Chaoyu sighed. "Grandmother, we don't know either. Aunt said that Xiao Qing'er has been unwell for the past two days, with constant diarrhea and lack of energy all day long. I asked Physician Fan and Qiu Qing to investigate, and they said there might be something wrong with the incense in the room. But please don't worry, Xiao Qing'er is not in serious trouble. They are currently sweeping through the Painting Study from beginning to end, and they asked us to take Xiao Qing'er out for a walk."
She watched the Old Madam's expression change and spoke more carefully. "Aunt and I thought there was nothing else to do, and you haven't seen Xiao Qing'er for a long time, so we came over. We also wanted... for you to protect Xiao Qing'er."
Song Chaoyu sighed and glanced at Aunt Liu. "My aunt is truly a person without temper or ideas. She said that many people handled the incense, and it's really unclear who did this, or if it was a coincidence. So, she came to you, hoping you would protect Xiao Qing'er."
The Old Madam naturally understood Song Chaoyu's meaning.
She nodded, praising Song Chaoyu for telling her about this matter. "It's good that you came. Such matters should be known to me, this old woman."
She also looked at Aunt Liu. "I understand your feelings. Since you entered the Song mansion, you have never caused trouble and have endured many grievances. I know all of this. If you are willing, would you like to leave Xiao Qing'er with me for two days, and then send him back to your Painting Study? You can visit him anytime during these two days. Or, you can simply stay here with me. I want to see who else in this mansion dares to touch you!"
For a concubine to live in the Old Madam's courtyard, even for the sake of Xiao Qing'er, was truly against the rules.
But the Old Madam setting this precedent for them made Song Chaoyu feel deeply grateful.
"No, no, no!"
Even at this point, Aunt Liu still wanted to adhere to the rules, for her own sake and so that Song Chaoyu would not be criticized in the future. "How can I live in the Old Madam's residence? I only hope the Old Madam will do justice for Xiao Qing'er. Aunt, I will accompany Xiao Qing'er here every day and return to the Painting Study in the evening. Is that acceptable to the Old Madam?"
Her adherence to the rules naturally pleased the Old Madam, and Song Chaoyu nodded silently, then took Aunt Liu's hand.
She knew Aunt Liu's grievances and sadness.
Xiao Qing'er had always been raised by her, and she was reluctant to part with him.