Shen Qingqing had no idea what was happening. She tried to push him away, but he held her even tighter. "What exactly happened?"
Fu Jingshu shook his head. He wouldn't say.
Shen Qingqing stopped asking and let him hold her.
In their silent embrace, neither spoke, yet the atmosphere grew increasingly warm.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Shen Qingqing's legs grew tired from standing. She patted his back. "Are you tired? I'd like to sit down..."
Fu Jingshu suddenly realized and quickly let go of her. He said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I was too impulsive..."
Shen Qingqing shook her head. "What is it that's bothering you?"
Fu Jingshu sat down beside her, his gaze complex. "I didn't intend to tell you, but I've changed my mind."
"Why?"
"You have a right to know the truth."
Shen Qingqing smiled brightly. "I knew you understood me. So, can you tell me the truth now?"
"Actually..." Fu Jingshu paused, choosing his words carefully. "I had your gown examined by a professional."
Shen Qingqing's heart skipped a beat. Judging by his demeanor, she knew something was wrong.
"There's a problem with the gown."
"Yes," Fu Jingshu stated his findings. "He discovered a toxic substance in the fabric. It's not fatal, but it causes severe itching and allergic reactions." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
It was no wonder that even the self-controlled Shen Qingqing couldn't help but act spoiled towards him.
"It was Nicole," Fu Jingshu said, his expression dark.
Shen Qingqing frowned. "We can't be certain it was her. What if someone else tampered with the dress? It's possible."
Fu Jingshu said coldly, "Even if she was used, she's still the main culprit."
This was clearly misplaced anger.
Shen Qingqing felt a sense of helplessness but knew he was doing it for her, so she couldn't blame him. "I know you're worried about me, and this does have something to do with Nicole, but we can't blame her entirely."
Fu Jingshu's face was stern, and he remained silent. However, his expression was extremely unpleasant.
Knowing he wouldn't be able to let it go immediately, Shen Qingqing changed the subject. "So, what exactly did you find out?"
Fu Jingshu said, "It's a harmless substance on its own, but when combined with grapes, even a small amount can cause large patches of red rash."
As he spoke, his complexion grew worse.
Shen Qingqing knitted her brows. "If it was truly her, then her malicious intent is evident."
Fu Jingshu's voice was chilling. "You shouldn't have trusted her."
Shen Qingqing sighed. "How was I to know she would do something so vile? Besides, she gave me the gown in front of everyone. How foolish would she have to be to tamper with it here?"
If something went wrong, she would be the first one questioned.
Even if she managed to get away with it, Fu Jingshu, King, and even the old man would never let her off the hook!
How stupid would Nicole have to be to try and eliminate her this way? It was like leaving a signed confession for poisoning.
Fu Jingshu's voice was cold. "That's not necessarily true."
He had always believed that people were wicked, especially women like Nicole, who were malicious and arrogant. Nothing they did would be surprising.
Shen Qingqing disagreed. "I still don't think she seemed like a bad person."
Nicole's expression and demeanor at the time hadn't seemed fake. She had appeared genuinely apologetic, and Shen Qingqing had seen no sign of deceit.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have believed her.
Fu Jingshu's eyes deepened. "Perhaps she was using reverse psychology."
Shen Qingqing was taken aback.
But then she recalled the young woman's expression that day, and her trembling hands when Shen Qingqing hesitated to accept the gown.
She didn't believe it.
"I still believe her. At the very least, we need to investigate the truth before convicting her."
Fu Jingshu pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "Fine. Let's make a bet. If you lose, you hand her over to me for judgment."
There was a fierce glint in his eyes.
Shen Qingqing agreed. "Alright. But if I win, you have to admit that some people aren't born evil!"
"Agreed."
They looked at each other, sparks flying.
As they stood in their stalemate, there was a knock at the door. It opened, and Pei Lie walked in, immediately sensing the tense atmosphere.
He stopped abruptly.
"...What's wrong?" It seemed he had arrived at an inconvenient time.
Fu Jingshu averted his gaze first. "Nothing."
But his curt tone made Pei Lie disbelieve him. He twitched his lips and said, "I came to see you, Shen. I heard you were discharged from the hospital and was a little worried about your condition..."
He paused, glancing at the chillingly cold Fu Jingshu.
These two were definitely arguing!
He felt like he was getting in their way.
"In that case, you two should rest. I'll be leaving now. If you need anything, just send someone to call me. I'm available anytime. If not... I won't disturb you."
"Stay."
Fu Jingshu's cold voice rang out.
Pei Lie stopped. "What is it?"
Fu Jingshu glanced at Shen Qingqing, who was looking out the window. He sighed, told her about the gown, then looked at Pei Lie, his gaze sharp.
"What do you plan to do?"
Pei Lie responded without hesitation. "I'll have her brought here immediately for questioning."
He looked at Shen Qingqing and said earnestly.
"Don't worry, if it's confirmed she harmed you, I will not show her any mercy!"
"Thank you."
Pei Lie waved his hand. "Let's not talk about that. You got hurt in my palace, that's my responsibility, and my failure to protect you. It's my fault."
His face was etched with guilt and unease.
Shen Qingqing didn't care. "This has nothing to do with you. To be frank, it's because Nicole and I have a feud. If she wanted to target me, it's a personal matter between us."
But Pei Lie still felt guilty. "Don't try to comfort me, Shen. You're here to help me, and I appreciate that. Leave this matter to me."
Judging by his expression, Nicole wouldn't fare well when she arrived.
Shen Qingqing wasn't a saint, but she genuinely wanted to give Nicole a chance to explain. "Don't interfere with this matter."
Pei Lie was perplexed. "Shen, you're not the type of person to repay evil with good."
Shen Qingqing's lips twitched.
That description was quite accurate. Strictly speaking, she could even be considered someone who held grudges.
"Why are you being so generous this time?" Pei Lie couldn't understand. "Don't you dislike that woman?"
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. "I still don't like her very much. I just felt that when she came to see me that day, her attitude was very sincere."
Her intuition told her it wasn't Nicole.
"You know," she said, looking at Fu Jingshu, her voice soft yet firm, "my intuition is usually very accurate."
Fu Jingshu reluctantly replied, "Yes."
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but laugh and cry. "Why do you sound so reluctant? Is it not true?"
"It is."
When his beloved wife spoke, Fu Jingshu wouldn't dare disagree.
Pei Lie found it amusing and no longer insisted on summoning Nicole.
"Alright, then what do you plan to do?"