Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Murder?
A few minutes later, the trembling servant was brought in by the maids.
Madam He specifically instructed the maids to not inform anyone that she was conscious yet. She wanted to deal with the servant in peace.
"You may leave us," Madam He ordered. The maid left, and the room was left with Madam He and the servant who constantly swallowed.
"The drink meant for either the groom or the bride... I was the one who drank it." She started, before snapping her head to look at the kneeling servant. "Care to explain why?"
Her eyes were sharp as she glared at the servant.
The servant’s knees trembled against the marble floor, his voice breaking before it even began. "M-Madam, I–I did exactly as you instructed!" He stuttered.
Madam He’s eyes sharpened, and even in her weakened state, the chill in her gaze could freeze the air. "Exactly as I instructed?" she repeated, her tone deceptively calm. "Then tell me, how did the glass that was meant for the main table end up in my hand?"
He stammered. "I don’t know, Madam! I swear I don’t! I poured the mixture just like you instructed. Then I took the tray to the hall myself."
Her nails tapped against the bed frame. "And?"
"There was a lady," he blurted. "She stopped me before I reached the front. She said the glasses weren’t arranged properly. I thought she was helping, so I let her fix them."
Madam He’s brow arched slightly, her eyes narrowing. "A lady?"
"Yes, Madam. She was extremely beautiful, and she was dressed in silver. I remember because her smile was—" He bit his lip, realizing too late he had said the wrong thing.
Madam He’s expression didn’t change, but the atmosphere grew heavier. "Go on."
"She said it would only take a second. She moved a few glasses, maybe two, and told me it looked better. I didn’t think— I swear, I didn’t think it mattered."
A sharp silence fell.
Madam He slowly leaned back against her pillows, her lashes lowering as realization dawned. "A silver gown." she repeated under her breath.
The image came to her at once. That composed young woman standing beside her son’s wife, polite, graceful, with those clear and unreadable eyes.
"Yue Ning."
The servant blinked in confusion. "M-Madam?"
She ignored him. "So that’s it. She adjusted the glasses."
Her hand curled into a fist beneath the blanket, her nails digging into her palm. A bitter laugh escaped her lips, soft and scathing. "And I ended up drinking my own poison."
The servant fell flat against the ground. "Please, Madam! I didn’t mean for anything to happen! I swear I didn’t tell anyone! Please forgive me!"
Madam He turned her gaze to him, her tone frighteningly quiet. "Who else knows?"
"N-no one! Only me! I swear it on my life!"
For a moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled slowly, her face unreadable. "Good. You may leave through the side door. Someone will meet you outside."
He hesitated, confusion flickering in his eyes. "M-Madam?"
"Go," she said simply.
He scrambled to his feet, bowing repeatedly before rushing out. The door closed softly behind him.
Madam He sat in silence for several seconds, the faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the room. Her reflection stared back from the mirror across the bed. It was pale, elegant, composed, and furious.
"She played me," she whispered, her lips curving into a cold smile. "At my own step-son’s wedding."
Her voice lowered to a dangerous calm. "Very well."
She reached for her phone from the bedside table and dialed a number. "It’s me," she said as soon as the line connected. "Look into the Huo family’s daughter-in-law, Yue Ning. I want her dead."
There was a pause on the line. "Yes, Madam."
She ended the call and sat back, her eyes never leaving the mirror.
The weakness that had weighed her down minutes ago was gone. Only resolve remained and the faint spark of vengeance.
"Let’s see how long you can keep that smile, Miss Yue."
Meanwhile, Yue Ning wasn’t aware that because she had saved Yun Li and He Yuchen, she became a target. Would she die or would she survive? No one knew.
While Madam He plotted how to get even with Yue Ning—by killing her, the guests at the hall were being ushered out.
"Mrs. Huo, you’re so thoughtful." One of the guests complimented Yue Ning who gave a polite smile.
"How I wish I met you first. I could have introduced you to my son." The lady continued with a sigh.
"Well, it is a good thing you didn’t," Huo Feng’s voice suddenly sounded behind Yue Ning. He pulled her into his arms possessively while staring at the woman who had made the compliment. There was not a hint of smile in his eyes.
The woman laughed awkwardly. "Mr. Huo, I was just making a comment."
"Some comments are meant to be kept to yourself," Huo Feng countered. Turning to Yue Ning who had a bright smile on her face, he said, "let’s go."
"You scared the poor lady," Yue Ning commented, though her eyes were bright.
Huo Feng pouted childishly. "She wanted to introduce you to her son." He complained.
"You are just being jealous." Yue Ning teased him.
Huo Feng shook his head. "It is not jealousy. I don’t like the idea of people having improper thoughts about you."
Yue Ning chuckled softly, the sound light and effortless. "Improper thoughts? You make it sound so serious. I was just being polite with her."
"Polite?" Huo Feng raised a brow, leaning closer until his breath brushed her ear. "You smile too easily at others."
She tilted her head toward him, her eyes glimmering with quiet amusement. "And yet, didn’t you fall for that very smile."
Huo Feng paused, his lips twitching despite composing himself "Touché," he murmured.
Yue Ning’s gaze drifted toward the closed doors where the last guests were being ushered out. Her expression softened, though somewhere deep inside, a faint unease stirred—one she couldn’t yet name.