Chapter 054: The Truth

"You... you know medicine too?"

"Yes, not much, just a little."

Hearing Mu Qingcheng’s answer, Ran Siya’s eyes widened in shock. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, her expression completely slipping out of control. Events had spiraled far beyond her grasp, and terror gnawed at her heart. Looking at Mu Qingcheng now, she felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

...

At the same time,

The “country girl,” who had begun to reveal a hint of talent, naturally regained the attention of everyone present. Originally, they had thought she was merely well-behaved and sensible, but now it turned out she was hiding depths they’d never expected. Old Master Mu’s gaze toward Mu Qingcheng became more admiring, even affectionate.

But in Ran Siya’s eyes, this scene felt like a thousand knives slashing at her heart. “Uncomfortable” couldn’t even begin to describe her pain.

Right now, every gaze in the room was fixed on Mu Qingcheng, moving back and forth across her figure—there was surprise, astonishment, speculation, and even fear. Only Si Qingchen, seated at the very back, adjusted his posture with calm composure, his right index finger tapping rhythmically on his leg. Not far away, Si Bei narrowed his eyes and, taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, swiftly slipped out the door.

On this side,

Mu Qingcheng remained as calm as ever, paying no mind to the stares of the crowd. Her hands didn’t pause for an instant. Soon, she picked out another photo from the stack.

Tilting her head slightly, she held the photograph up once more before Ran Siya’s face.

"Siya, don’t you have something to explain?"

Ran Siya stared at the photograph, but for the second time, she found herself unable to utter a single word. It wasn’t that she didn’t dare to speak, but faced with the current Mu Qingcheng, she truly did not know what to say. The “country girl” she’d once looked down upon had repeatedly overturned all her assumptions.

For the first time, Ran Siya felt dazed, sensing that Mu Qingcheng might not be as simple as she seemed—that perhaps she came from a remarkable background.

Meanwhile, every gaze in the room had landed on the photograph. In the image, Ran Siya stood facing a little horse, one hand cupping its head while the other hovered in front of her, engaged in some unknown action. Although her full gesture wasn’t visible, her friend standing nearby wore an anxious expression, as if Ran Siya were doing something dangerous.

"Ran Siya, what exactly did you do?" Mu Jingchi had been suppressing his agitation, but now he was forced to worry that Ran Siya really might have done something outrageous—something that had drawn the eldest young master of the Si family all the way here. If they truly intended to pursue the matter or had ulterior motives, the Mu family, in its current state, might not be able to handle it.

"I didn’t—"

Mu Jingchi’s expression grew darker and darker. Just as Ran Siya, having decided to deny everything to the bitter end, opened her mouth to protest, she was abruptly cut off by Mu Qingcheng.

The girl, her expression unfailingly cool, placed the photograph back on the table and spoke softly,

"She fed the pony a laxative. The dose wasn’t strong, but it was enough to make the poor creature suffer."

"No, I—"

Ran Siya instinctively tried to defend herself, but Mu Qingcheng raised a finger to her lips, silencing her once more.

"Shh. Quiet, please."

Pushing up her black-rimmed glasses, she continued, enunciating each word,

"That half-needle was indeed nothing to worry about. It wouldn’t hurt the pony, nor leave any evidence. But a bout of stomach cramps, combined with the occasional prick of the needle—no matter how gentle the animal’s temperament, it would be driven mad. Isn’t that right, Siya?"

"You... That’s not true! You’re making all this up! Mu Qingcheng, you’re lying, you’re framing me! You have no proof—this is all a fabrication! Grandpa! Grandpa, you can’t believe her, she’s slandering me!"

Mu Qingcheng seemed utterly unfazed by Ran Siya’s desperate denials. She neither argued nor showed the slightest anger.

Instead, Si Qingchen, who had been silent at her side the entire time, suddenly rose and declared,

"It’s getting late. Why don’t I bring today’s matter to a close?"

As he finished speaking, Si Bei, who had just re-entered the room, handed him a document.