This time, like many times before, Madam Du concluded without any investigation, nor did she consider that this was a matter between two people; a single clap does not make a sound.
When Du Yiyi and Su Xiaoqi arrived, Sun Jiaojiao left on the pretense of having other things to do. She also didn't want to get entangled with the sharp-tongued Su Xiaoqi. Just wait, there would be more excitement waiting for them later. This was the Du family residence, and it was her home turf.
As soon as Du Yiyi returned, before she could even sit down, Madam Du began scolding her fiercely. Du Yiyi was stunned by the barrage of insults. She widened her eyes, looking at Madam Du's wrinkled, aged face. For a moment, she felt disoriented, unsure of where she was. Everything had been fine just moments ago; how could it have changed so drastically?
"Gra-Grandmother, what do you mean?" Du Yiyi questioned directly.
Su Xiaoqi, however, understood. She also realized why Sun Jiaojiao, knowing how much Du Yiyi cared for her, had deliberately provoked her earlier in such an annoying manner. It was to anger Du Yiyi into retaliating, thereby sustaining an injury that could be used to lodge a complaint. It was a truly clever plan. And this setup, it was truly 'far-sighted'.
Given Du Yiyi's temperament, she would likely erupt as usual, perhaps even physically restrain Sun Jiaojiao and give her a beating. Su Xiaoqi tugged at Du Yiyi's sleeve, signaling her to remain calm. She was there to help.
Du Yiyi suddenly snapped back to reality, let out a long sigh, and suppressed the surging anger in her heart. Yes, there was her sister Xiaoqi. Su Xiaoqi stepped forward, glanced at the tea in the cup, sniffed it, and said to Madam Du, "Madam, this is Biluochun from West Lake, isn't it? Mmm, this flavor is quite good. However, I have a tea here that would be even more suitable for you to drink."
Su Xiaoqi produced some roasted barley tea, personally brewed a cup for Madam Du with boiling water, and handed it to her, allowing her to examine, smell, and then taste it. Madam Du was unsure of Su Xiaoqi's intentions. She assumed Su Xiaoqi was there to persuade her not to be angry with Du Yiyi and had already prepared her refusal. However, this girl was merely discussing tea with her. This left Madam Du's prepared rebuttals in a state of confusion.
She took a sip from Su Xiaoqi's hand, savored the taste, and found the tea to be indeed excellent. It smelled fragrant before drinking, and left a lingering aroma in her mouth. Upon swallowing, a wave of refreshing sensation spread throughout her body. She sighed comfortably, her gaze towards Su Xiaoqi becoming increasingly amiable.
Su Xiaoqi continued to discuss the art of tea with her, explaining that drinking tea involved many subtleties. Some teas possessed healing properties. For instance, as she had sat beside Madam Du earlier and felt her pulse, she had detected early signs of the 'three highs.'
"The three highs? What are the three highs?" Madam Du listened to Su Xiaoqi speak, finding it a great pleasure. Her voice was gentle, her speech unhurried. Crucially, the physical symptoms she described were precisely what Madam Du had been experiencing. She felt Su Xiaoqi was a truly good girl, someone who genuinely cared for her. This made her feel even more that Su Xiaoqi understood her heart.
"The three highs are high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and high blood pressure. If these 'three highs' become too elevated, it can be quite serious." Su Xiaoqi explained the knowledge about the three highs in a vivid and engaging manner. Her explanation was simple and easy to understand, quickly resonating with Madam Du. She felt everything Su Xiaoqi said was correct and wonderfully put, hitting home regarding her own health.
"This roasted barley tea of mine can help lower blood pressure. If you drink a cup daily, the 'three highs' will not bother you." Su Xiaoqi said this while taking out two pounds of the tea. When she had given it earlier, she had only considered its appearance and not its practical benefits. Now, it could be used in an emergency.
The two chatted animatedly. By the time Sun Jiaojiao returned, she found herself completely unable to interject. She wanted to bring up the original issue, but couldn't find a suitable moment. She simply stood up, picked up a teacup like before, and went to refill Madam Du's tea, deliberately showing her swollen wrist. However, Madam Du, who had previously seemed to enjoy her service, suddenly frowned.
Su Xiaoqi, standing nearby, stopped her, stepped in to pour the roasted barley tea for Madam Du, and smoothly took the teacup from Sun Jiaojiao's hand. But in the exchange of hands, the teacup, which had been in Sun Jiaojiao's grasp, suddenly spilled, splashing the hot tea all over Su Xiaoqi's hand.
"Hiss..." Su Xiaoqi gasped, and the teacup slipped from her grasp. Du Yiyi, who had been closely observing the situation, quickly caught the teacup, preventing it from shattering. However, Su Xiaoqi's hand began to redden visibly.
"Ah, Miss Sun, why would you scald me with tea soup? Hiss, it hurts so much. Madam, *sob sob*, I don't know what I did wrong to make Miss Sun..." Su Xiaoqi's delicate nose twitched, and a few tears welled up. She was already beautiful and charming, and her crying made her appear even more delicate. Madam Du had just begun to like her, and at this moment, she felt most protective of her. Naturally, she glared at Sun Jiaojiao reproachfully.
"Jiaojiao, how could you start being so thoughtless? I'm not drinking your tea because it doesn't benefit my health at all. Only this roasted barley tea, see? Xiaoqi gave it to me; it lowers the three highs." Madam Du openly displayed her fondness for Su Xiaoqi in front of Sun Jiaojiao. Sun Jiaojiao almost gritted her teeth. She didn't believe any tea could be good for one's health; it wasn't medicine. But she dared not speak rashly, so she could only pout and say she didn't do it intentionally, just that she hadn't held the cup steady.
"Alas, Miss Sun is so careless. This is the second time she has accidentally injured me. Earlier, in the carriage, if Yiyi hadn't been as quick as she was just now, I might have suffered this unwarranted disaster as well." Su Xiaoqi spoke partly in accusation and partly in explanation. Madam Du understood her words immediately. She looked at Du Yiyi and asked what had happened. Du Yiyi and Su Xiaoqi had a prior understanding; they explained in a few words that Sun Jiaojiao had intentionally bullied Su Xiaoqi, and Du Yiyi couldn't stand by and watch, so she intervened.
"Actually, it was just a gentle pinch, and it was unintentional. It didn't seem like much at the time. But who would have thought that after so long, it would still be red and swollen? Sister Jiaojiao's hands are too delicate." Su Xiaoqi chimed in, "Oh, perhaps Miss Sun accidentally scalded herself with the tea, so it's not your fault." Su Xiaoqi wasn't just saying it; she extended her hand to Madam Du for her to examine, to see if it was exactly like Sun Jiaojiao's injury.
"Hey, it really is." Madam Du frowned slightly, exclaiming in surprise. Su Xiaoqi smiled lightly, pulled Sun Jiaojiao's hand, and said, "Miss Sun, actually, you and Yiyi are both good sisters, and the elders Madam values most. If we have conflicts, we should resolve them privately. Why must we always bring them before Madam? Isn't this deliberately disturbing her peace? Moreover, you were scalded by the tea, and you didn't explain clearly, making Madam misunderstand Yiyi. Alas..." Su Xiaoqi ended with a long sigh, leaving everyone to their own interpretations.