Transmigrated Female Official

224 You reap what you sow

"Yes, I'm back."

At this moment, Lingnan and Dongxu from the inner room also ran out, along with their two young apprentices, all surrounding Chu Qingluo. "Welcome back, Master!"

"I'm sorry I worried everyone before," Chu Qingluo said. "I assure you, after I've dealt with some things, I will definitely revitalize Mingyifang!"

Even if Chu Qingluo says nothing, they will trust her unconditionally and believe that she will never give up the famous clothing store that she and Gongsun Yu created together.

August said, "Master, we haven't been slacking off while you were away!"

"Really?" Chu Qingluo glanced at him amusedly and said, "I can see that you've gained quite a bit of weight!"

Dongxu chimed in, "That's right! He's gained at least 20 pounds in August compared to a few months ago!"

In August, he hurriedly retorted, "I was just overthinking! It's all just empty talk!"

"Pfft—!" The group burst into laughter as if a pot had exploded, showing no mercy whatsoever!

Chu Qingluo came to the clothing store today mainly to check on their situation and make some arrangements. The cotton in the cotton fields is almost ready for harvest, and after bringing the cotton back to the new residence in the east of the city, she plans to have Lingnan go and help…

Of course, after arranging everything, she didn't forget to mention everyone's monthly wages again. The fact that Mingyifang could still make a profit under these circumstances was naturally thanks to them. They deserved their due reward for their efforts, and Chu Qingluo was never stingy in this regard.

After visiting the renowned clothing store, Chu Qingluo felt much more at ease. She planned to stay overnight in the palace to focus on dealing with Long Kui, as such a powerful opponent required absolute concentration.

……

After dusk, inside the prison.

A prison guard was distributing meals to the prisoners. When he reached Li Yan's cell, he glanced around, placed the food down, and slipped a note under the bowl before casually walking away.

Li Yan sensed something was amiss and immediately went over to put the food and note inside. Only after confirming it was safe did she eagerly open the note…

It read, “Don’t starve to death before you get out.” She then carefully examined the back of the note and found nothing else besides that sentence.

Is this some kind of code?

Li Yan couldn't figure out the meaning behind it no matter how hard she tried. Perhaps it wasn't that complicated; it was simply telling her to live well, and that someone would rescue her soon.

She glanced at tonight's meal again: a large bowl of yellow porridge with a few pitiful vegetable leaves floating on top... It really didn't make her feel any appetite!

However, the note also said not to starve to death before going out, and to make sure you fill your stomach.

So, Li Yan stopped thinking about it and started drinking the porridge in big gulps. But the taste of the porridge... was a bit strange; she wondered what it was made of into a paste.

After having a meal, Li Yan soon learned the answer.

Her body was covered in red lumps, which were unbearably itchy. She felt a tightness in her chest and even breathing became extremely difficult!

This painful feeling immediately reminded her of the year she first entered the palace, when she ate a chestnut pastry and experienced the exact same situation!

"Someone help me..." She stumbled to the door frame, trying to call for help: "Quick... help me..." Although she tried her best, her shortness of breath prevented her from making any louder sounds.

The prison corridor was quiet at this moment, and there wasn't a single prison guard patrolling!

Li Yan pounded on the doorframe with all her might! She didn't want to die! Why hadn't anyone come to her aid yet?!

Since that accident, she had never eaten chestnuts again, and now she was about to lose her life so easily...

No way! It can't be that much of a coincidence!

A terrifying hypothesis flashed through Li Yan's mind... someone actually wanted her dead!

That time she suffered chestnut poisoning, it was Lady He Yujie who arrived in time to save her. Since then, fearing someone might deliberately harm her, she never mentioned it to anyone, simply being cautious and never eating anything indiscriminately. Therefore, apart from Lady He, no one knew she couldn't eat chestnuts!

This huge bowl of chestnut porridge was a clear indication that she hadn't tasted chestnuts in years! And that note... it turned out they were driving her to her doom!

Li Yan used up her last bit of strength and slumped to the ground against the door frame, but her hand still stubbornly reached out over the door...

Chu Qingluo's icy voice echoed in her ears: "Do you really think that people who know too much can live to be a hundred years old?"

How ironic, how cruel. But in the end, Chu Qingluo was right! Longkui wanted her to disappear forever, taking her secret with her!

Li Yan was filled with resentment! But in the end, she could only close her eyes, her heart brimming with hatred...

……

"Did you hear that?"

"what?"

"Someone died of food poisoning in the prison last night."

"Huh? Who is it?"

"It's Li Yan, the executive officer who helped the Fifth Prince enter the sect."

"Her? It's said that she was imprisoned because she was found to have framed Lord Chu."

"I think this is a case of reaping what you sow! The prison only serves chestnut porridge once every few hundred years, and yet she can't even eat chestnuts. It's as if even the heavens aren't on her side."

On her way to Feihong Palace, Chu Qingluo overheard several officers whispering about what had happened in the prison the previous night.

She smiled knowingly, as if to say, "Wasn't this the result I had already anticipated?"

……

Yibinge Restaurant was as busy as ever, with every seat filled.

Lei Tian and several other men who served as guards in the palace sat in the main hall on the first floor, eating and drinking together. The others were enjoying their meal, but Lei Tian was the only one who kept drinking in silence.

Seeing that his expression was off, someone couldn't help but ask, "Brother Lei, have you been having some troubles lately? Why are you looking so down? Tell us what's bothering you, and we'll help you sort it out!"

"Heh." Lei Tian said with a forced smile, "You can't solve my problem."

"Hey—look at Lei's attitude, what else could be a problem that we brothers can't solve besides something involving women? Don't you guys agree?"

Seeing that Lei Tian didn't deny it, but instead took another swig of wine, the others also asked, "Which powerful family is causing our Brother Lei so much trouble? We'll put in a good word for you!"

"Go away! Forget about it, it's a branch you can't even reach!"

Although Lei Tian spoke arrogantly, the others didn't get angry with him and were happy to continue the previous topic. "Speaking of high branches, we have to mention that kid Song Guyi."