Chapter 132

Chapter 132 Deliberately Pissing Off Xiao Haitang

“Backfire? W-What do you mean by that?” Shocked, Xiao Haitang froze, and her hand that was holding the peach blossom cake stopped in front of her mouth.

“I heard it from others, so I don’t know if it is right or not. I heard that some mutated peach blossoms are not edible, especially…” Qu Moying hesitated for a moment.

“Especially what?” Xiao Haitang asked anxiously.

“Especially some specific mutated species. They might have been imported from overseas, and they are different from the ones we have here. The flower petals have to be carefully treated before being used as the ingredient for the pastry. Otherwise, it will cause other symptoms such as fever or sorts. However, it will be fine if the ones in your mansion are not mutated peach blossom trees.”

The cake in Xiao Haitang’s hand fell down. Did Qu Moying just mention the mutated peach blossom? Xiao Haitang once heard that the peach blossom trees in her mansion did come from overseas. It was impossible for Qu Moying to know about this. Then what she said was true!

Xiao Haitang loved to eat this peach blossom cake after she got the recipe and tried it. Compared to the peach blossoms in the capital, these overseas peach blossoms were more fragrant and had a very good taste. They were all high-grade ones. If she did not take advantage of the present time to pick more petals, there would be no more in the future.

Therefore, every time Xiao Haitang came to the Ji Family, she would eat some of these pastries.

Recently, she felt that there were some rashes on her body and hands. Although there were not many, there were always a few that popped out. She didn’t get better even after she applied ointment. However, it did not seem to be a serious allergy, so she didn’t think in this aspect and just assumed that her skin quality was not very good recently.

But now, Qu Moying’s remarks dawned upon her. It must be because of these mutated peach blossoms.

Awkwardly wiping her hands with a handkerchief, Xiao Haitang laughed dryly before asserting, “I don’t know if these peach blossoms are from overseas, but for safety reasons, let’s not eat the cake. Fourth Lady, I don’t want you to become sick after eating it!”

After saying this, Xiao Haitang glanced at the maid standing at the side, and the maid hurriedly went forward to take away the peach blossom cake.

“Miss Xiao, how many times have you seen my uncle ever since he fell ill?” Qu Moying restrained the smile on her face and suddenly asked Xiao Haitang, who was carefully wiping her hands.

She guessed that Xiao Haitang did not know the truth. No matter how close Xiao was to Xiao Haitang, the former would not tell her about this matter. At most, Xiao would just give her a reminder. Otherwise, the Ji Family would not have come to her house to propose marriage.

Xiao Haitang wanted to privately hint Qu Moying that her relationship with Ji Yuanxing was special, and even suggested that the two families had an agreement long ago. Coincidentally, Qu Moying wanted to get some news from Xiao Haitang too.

In Earl Ling’an’s Mansion, Qu Moying could do the things that she didn’t dare to do in the Crown Prince’s Mansion. As long as she did proper planning, she could first arouse the suspicion of the others and then uncover the truth step by step.

“Earl Ling’an was seriously ill and didn’t show up in front of others. Perhaps it was because of the matter between Crown Princess and my Third Sister. All of a sudden… he was ill abed,” Xiao Haitang replied. She raised her eyes to look at Qu Moying. Then, she suddenly remembered Qu Qiuyan’s remark about Qu Moying, who said that the latter was not an easy target. Her heart skipped a beat inexplicably.

“Fourth Lady, are you suspecting something?”

“No, I don’t suspect anything. I just feel that it was quite a pity that Cousin Yue and I didn’t get to meet my uncle before he died. I wonder if I can see my uncle one last time in the mourning hall today,” Qu Moying said unhurriedly.

Xiao Haitang’s expression became displeased. “Fourth Lady, although you are Earl Ling’an’s niece, Earl Ling’an specifically said that he didn’t want anyone to see his face that was no longer mighty. I’m not bluffing. From the way you said this, you sounded as if we forbade you from seeing him.”

“Is this my uncle’s idea?” Qu Moying asked as she slightly raised her watery eyes.

“Of course, it is Earl Ling’an’s idea.” Xiao Haitang’s face turned cold.

“Has he said it in these past few days?” Qu Moying asked again, her face darkening.

“Fourth Lady, is there anything wrong with this?” Xiao Haitang asked back. She had come here for two reasons. One was to show Qu Moying about her relationship with Ji Yuanxing, and the other was because of her aunt, who had asked her to keep a close eye on Qu Moying and not let the latter cause any trouble in the mourning hall.

The most important thing was that Qu Moying must not be allowed to see Earl Ling’an’s remains.

The coffin had already been nailed, and no one was allowed to have a look.

Xiao Haitang originally thought that it was easy to dissuade Qu Moying from seeing Earl Ling’an’s remains. All the noble young ladies grew up in their courtyard. They were delicate and weak, so none of them would have the intention to look at the remains of a deceased person. They would definitely be afraid after seeing it.

Unexpectedly, Qu Moying wanted to see the remains. For some reason, it made Xiao Haitang feel that Qu Moying was deliberately provoking her.

“I heard that my uncle could no longer speak a few days before his death. Could it be that he had already said his request earlier? The rules in the capital have always been to allow relatives and friends to take a look at the deceased’s remains on the first day after the person passed away,” Qu Moying mouthed.

There was indeed such a rule in the capital, but one would basically not go up to see the deceased’s remains unless they were close relatives.

On the one hand, it was inappropriate to open the coffin after nailing it, unless they were the deceased’s extremely close family members who didn’t get to see the deceased before he died. Only then would they open the coffin to allow a last look at the deceased.

However, the coffin would definitely be nailed after the first day.

Of course, Crown Princess Ji Hanyue was different. Because of her special identity, no one was allowed to look at her remains, not even the seniors!

“Are you saying that you’re extremely close to Uncle? Why didn’t you come to visit him when he was still alive? What is your intention of insisting on seeing his remains now?” Xiao Haitang’s expression became unkind, and a fit of inexplicable anger arose in her heart.

She originally thought that it was not a big deal, but she did not expect that Qu Moying would insist.

At this moment, she was contemptuous of Qu Moying. In fact, those who knew about the Qu Mansion’s affairs in the capital all looked down on Fourth Lady Qu.

Qu Moying had no talent, no beauty, and she was abandoned in the village since she was young. She did not even receive any proper education. Of course, she could not be considered as a noble young lady. Only this kind of uneducated person would bring up such an unruly matter. Even if it was allowed to see the remains, she, as a niece, would not have any chance.

“Miss Xiao, I heard that relatives are allowed to see his remains. If I can’t, at least Cousin Yue can. Why does Earl Ling’an’s Mansion not allow us to see it? Is there something shameful about it?” Qu Moying had a surprised expression on her face as she looked at Xiao Haitang in shock.

“Fourth Lady, you’re going too far!” Xiao Haitang snapped angrily as she stood up and glared at Qu Moying.

“Miss Xiao, I just want to see my uncle for the last time. Why don’t you let me do it? Is there something suspicious about his death?” Qu Moying continued to calmly challenge Xiao Haitang, but the surprise on her face became more and more intense.

Qu Moying didn’t dare to say such things in the Crown Prince’s Mansion because of Crown Princess, and it was not something she could question. But it was different here. This was Earl Ling’an’s Mansion. Even if she spoke a bit more bluntly, people would at most take her as being rude and disrespectful, but it would not be considered as offensive.

No one in Eastern Palace dared to question the truth that Pei Luo’an had covered up with great effort, but it was different here.

“Y-You are really going too far!” Xiao Haitang was furious.

“Am I, or is Earl Ling’an’s Mansion going too far? The mansion only has the second branch now, and the first branch is gone. Now we don’t even have the chance to look at his remains, do we?” Qu Moying asked coldly.

“This is outrageous!” Xiao Haitang was so angry that she couldn’t bear to listen any longer. She flung her sleeves and turned to leave.

Even if her aunt asked her to keep an eye on Qu Moying, she couldn’t stay any longer. Xiao Haitang originally thought that even if Qu Moying didn’t have a good upbringing, she would still know some boundaries. Now, it turned out that not only did she not know any etiquette, but she was also extremely annoying. Why would her aunt want her Cousin to marry such a woman? Qu Moying would create chaos in the family.

Xiao Haitang was determined to tell her aunt when she went home how Qu Moying was like. Xiao Haitang believed her aunt would definitely change her idea.

Xiao Haitang left decisively, but Qu Moying stood up and looked at her as she left. Xiao Haitang was going to look for Xiao. Qu Moying grew up in this mansion, so she was familiar with the layout.

Although it was just a quarrel, Qu Moying had heard most of the things she wanted to know. Now that she pissed Xiao Haitang off, no one was watching her.

“Let’s go!” Qu Moying said to the two maids behind her. She turned and walked to a small path. This was the path to Old Lady Ji’s courtyard, but at this time, Old Lady Ji was still in the reception hall entertaining guests.

The path curved forward. Qu Moying was familiar with the route. She walked forward until she arrived in front of a large courtyard and turned in another direction. This was Old Lady Ji’s courtyard, but she was going to the back of the courtyard.

Like the old ladies in some other mansions, Old Lady Ji preferred a quiet place as she got older, and she would set up a small temple hall behind the courtyard.

This small temple hall was often used as a family temple.

The Qu’s Mansion was the same. There was also a small temple hall behind Old Lady Qu’s courtyard. There were many older people who believed in Buddhism. Occasionally, they would come over to light incense and recite some scriptures. In this regard, Old Lady Qu and Old Lady Ji were similar. In fact, it was not just them. Many mansions in the capital were like this.

Sure enough, there was a small house behind the courtyard. Qu Moying stood outside and composed herself as her gaze fell on the door that was ajar. This was something that Granny Zhou had told her yesterday. Now, she was taking advantage of Old Lady Ji’s absence to come over.

“You two wait for me outside. I’ll go take a look,” Qu Moying instructed the two maids.

“Yes, Miss,” Yu Chun and Yu Dong responded. After exchanging glances, they both retreated to the side.

Today, everyone in the Ji Family seemed to be very busy. When they came over, they did not see many servants. The servants in the mansion all went to the front to help. No one noticed them at this time.

Qu Moying nodded and walked in. Her heart skipped a beat before she slowly calmed down.

She pushed open the door which was ajar. There were three rooms in a row. The moment she entered, there was a strong scent of incense. Qu Moying took a deep breath and calmed herself down again. The bigger room in the center was the Buddha hall. There were two other smaller rooms in its two wings.

“Who is it?” As soon as she arrived at the entrance of the main hall, she heard a woman’s voice coming from inside.