Chapter 15: I Never Suspected You

Uncle Tang explained, “Shortly after the young master reached school, he began vomiting and suffering diarrhea. He’s been taken to the hospital. The elder Mrs. Huo came as soon as she heard, and Mr. Huo is on his way home.”

“What?” Jingwan stood, frowning. This hadn’t happened in her previous life. Was it a consequence of her rebirth? “How is Little Yu?”

“The doctor found that he’d eaten something unclean.”

Guilt flashed through Leyin. She grabbed her bag. “Wanwan, you have things to deal with. I won’t disturb you.”

At the door she encountered Lu Daiqing, newly arrived. Dressed elegantly, with understated jewelry, she carried the effortless distinction of an old wealthy family.

Leyin hadn’t seen her since Jingwan’s wedding. Lu Daiqing evidently didn’t remember her and gave her only a passing glance.

“Madam, this is the young mistress’s friend,” a servant explained.

Leyin put on a flattering smile. “Hello, Mrs. Lu. I’m Wanwan’s best friend.”

Lu Daiqing offered a cool acknowledgment and walked inside. She had never liked Jingwan; surely she would blame her for what had happened to Little Yu.

* * *

When Lu Daiqing entered, Jingwan had just heard the housekeeper’s account of the doctor’s findings. Despite her mother-in-law’s cold face, she greeted her respectfully. “Mom.”

Lu Daiqing snorted. “How can you be so cruel? He’s your own son! You carried him for ten months. How could you let him suffer like this?”

Jingwan understood the accusation. “You think I hurt him?”

“Who else? Before school, my grandson drank only the milk you gave him. You know what was in it.” Anger crossed Lu Daiqing’s carefully maintained face.

“Mom, I didn’t do it.” Jingwan disliked being pointed at, and hated being falsely accused even more. She pushed the woman’s hand away. “You said it yourself: I bore him. Even a tiger doesn’t eat its young. Why would I hurt him?”

In Lu Daiqing’s eyes, Jingwan was selfish, vain, greedy, and lustful, with nothing to recommend her but a pretty face. “How could you genuinely care for him? You’re probably putting on an act for A-Li.”

Xiao Wei had reported Jingwan’s recent change. Lu Daiqing believed it was a performance to extract more money from Congli.

The accusation struck a nerve. Jingwan’s voice sharpened. “Believe me or don’t. I won’t admit to something I didn’t do, and I won’t let you frame me.”

“Frame you?” Lu Daiqing’s fear for her grandson turned to fury. She raised a hand to strike Jingwan, but it remained suspended.

Jingwan didn’t flinch. She stared straight into her eyes.

Looking at her face, Lu Daiqing remembered how deeply Congli loved her. Her apprehension grew, and she lowered her hand. “I’ll discuss this with A-Li.”

Footsteps sounded at the entrance. “Mr. Huo is home,” a servant called.

Congli hurried straight to Jingwan, touched her face, and checked her over, hands on her shoulders. “Wanwan, are you all right?”

Still stung by the accusation, she turned away from his touch. “Do you think I deliberately hurt Little Yu too?”

“You’re my wife. How could you hurt our child? I’ve never suspected you, Wanwan.” His heart had always been on her side; no one knew her better.

Lu Daiqing frowned. “A-Li, don’t let this woman cloud your judgment.”

Only then did Congli look at his mother. He was displeased that she had blamed Jingwan without establishing the truth. His jaw tightened. “Mom, Wanwan wouldn’t do this. I’ll investigate. Someone will take you home.”

“You’re still taking her side? Little Yu is lying in a hospital bed!”

“Wanwan and I will see him.” At his gesture, the housekeeper and driver came forward to escort her.

Lu Daiqing snorted. “Let’s see what you find. Jingwan gave him that milk herself!”

Thinking of her grandson lying in hospital asking for his mother, her heart ached. He so desperately wanted his mother’s love that he’d eat anything she gave him. As Congli’s only child, he was treasured by both the Huo and Lu families.

For Congli’s sake, Jingwan kept her voice calm. “Mom, I know you’re worried about him. I truly wouldn’t hurt my own child. Please believe me.”

Lu Daiqing said nothing more and left.

* * *

The living room fell quiet. Jingwan sat on the sofa, brows knitted. Congli knelt before her and smoothed the crease between them. “I’m glad Mom didn’t hit you.”

Holding her hand, he rested his face against her palm, ready to let her vent. “Do you want to take it out on me?”

In the past, when Lu Daiqing upset her, handbags and jewelry hadn’t been enough. He’d had to let her bite him or face the silent treatment, which he could least bear.

Jingwan brushed his cheek with her fingertips. “…Find out what happened quickly. I won’t suffer this accusation for nothing.”

“I won’t let you be wronged. Don’t eat anything already in the house. On the way back, I kept worrying that something might happen to you too.”

“You think someone tampered with the food? But we haven’t had any outsiders here lately.” She paused.

Only Leyin had visited today. She’d insisted on staying for lunch, yet as soon as she heard about Little Yu, she’d made an excuse to leave. In retrospect, she had looked guilty.

Congli rubbed his cheek against Jingwan’s palm. “…Wanwan, you suspect Luo Leyin too, don’t you?”

Her lashes trembled. She could hardly believe she was suspecting her. “She was my best friend at university…”

Why would Leyin do it? Was it because Little Yu refused to call her Godmother?

“I’ll have all the surveillance footage reviewed. We’ll find the truth soon. Let me handle it, all right?”

Conflicted, Jingwan finally nodded. “Huo Congli, I want to see Little Yu at the hospital. Come with me.”

“Of course.” He kissed her palm. “There’s lunch in the car. Will you eat a little on the way?”

“I have no appetite.” She was worried about their son.

Congli agreed for now, though he intended to coax her to eat once they were in the car. Her stomach was delicate, and skipping meals gave her pain.