CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER

Mo Ying held Lin Xu’s waist tightly, his hands warm and firm. He wanted to lift her up and take her somewhere safe and quiet, somewhere he could hold her close without anyone disturbing them. The way she said I love you was still echoing in his chest, making his heart beat fast.

He leaned closer, ready to carry her away, ready to kiss her again and again...

But before he could, loud footsteps came rushing toward them.

"Master Mo! Master Mo!"

A maid ran into the courtyard, breathing hard, her face full of fear.

Mo Ying’s body tensed. His hold on Lin Xu became protective as he turned to the maid sharply.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice cold and serious.

The maid dropped to her knees. "Master... it’s Lady Xu, she fainted!"

Lin Xu gasped. "Lady Xu fainted?!"

"Yes, My Lady," the maid cried. "She just fell to the floor. We called her name but she didn’t wake up. We sent for Madame San, but she said... she said Lady Xu looks very weak.

"How long ago?" he asked.

"Just now... less than ten minutes!"

Mo Ying didn’t waste time. He grabbed Lin Xu’s hand and started running, pulling her along with him. His steps were fast, almost shaky, and Lin Xu could feel how scared he was inside.

"Mo Ying," she said softly, squeezing his hand as she tried to keep up, "we’ll get there soon. She’ll be okay."

He didn’t slow down, but he squeezed her hand back.

"If something happens to her..." he said in a low, angry voice, "I won’t forgive anyone involved."

They reached Lady Xu’s courtyard where servants were running around in a panic. Without stopping, Mo Ying pushed through the doors, pulling Lin Xu with him.

Lady Xu was inside the room, lying on the bed, her face pale.

Mo Ying pushed his way into the room, and right behind him the rest of the Mo family arrived. Fuhan came in first, followed by Grandma Mo, Uncle Mo, his wife, Mo Lan, and even Madame Mo. San Na stood at the very back, her face calm like she didn’t care at all.

Grandma Mo hurried forward with worry all over her face. "What happened to her? Why is she lying like this?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Lady Xu was still on the bed, her face pale and her breathing weak. A few servants stood nearby, not knowing what to do.

Madame Mo and Mo Lan stood together, watching everything with flat, empty expressions. They didn’t step forward, didn’t ask questions, didn’t look the least bit bothered. Uncle Mo and his wife whispered quietly to each other, stealing glances at Lady Xu, as if trying to figure out what was going on.

Mo Ying moved to Lady Xu’s side and checked her pulse with a serious look. His hand was steady, but Lin Xu could see he was scared inside.

He looked at Fuhan. "Call the physician. Right now. Tell him to run if he has to."

"Yes, Master!" Fuhan rushed out without wasting time.

Grandma Mo stood beside the bed, wiping her hands nervously on her clothes. "She was fine earlier... why would she suddenly faint like this? Did she eat something bad? Did she work too hard?" Her worry only grew worse.

Mo Ying didn’t answer right away. He was checking Lady Xu carefully, lifting her wrist, touching her forehead, watching her breathing. Lin Xu stayed right beside him, ready to help if he asked.

San Na stood a few steps away, her arms crossed. Not a single bit of worry showed on her face. She looked bored, like she was watching something that had nothing to do with her.

Lin Xu noticed it immediately. She clenched her hands, but she said nothing.

Mo Ying looked at the servants. "Did any of you see what happened? Did she complain about anything?"

The servants shook their heads.

"She just... fell, Master," one whispered. "She was walking, then suddenly she dropped to the floor..."

Mo Ying took a slow breath. "We’ll wait for the physician. No one leaves this courtyard until I find out what caused this."

Everyone fell silent at his words.

Madame Mo exchanged a quick look with Mo Lan.

San Na didn’t even blink.

Lin Xu felt a strange heaviness in the air.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

The physician rushed into the room with his medicine box, bowing quickly before checking Lady Xu’s pulse, her eyes, and her breathing. His face grew serious the more he examined her.

"Everyone, please step outside," he said firmly. "I need space to check her properly."

Mo Ying nodded, and they all stepped out into the hallway. The door closed behind them. The family waited. The air was heavy. Grandma Mo paced back and forth, and San Na simply stared at the floor with no emotion.

After a long moment, the door opened again.

The physician stepped out.

Mo Ying was the first to ask, "How is she?"

The physician bowed. "She is stable for now. She will wake up soon... but—" he hesitated.

"But what?" Grandma Mo pressed, worried.

"...She was poisoned."

Gasps broke out.

Grandma Mo placed a hand on her chest. "Poisoned? Who would poison her?! Who would do something so evil?"

Before anyone could answer, Mo Lan suddenly spoke up.

"Maybe she offended someone," she said with a shrug. "We don’t know everything that goes on in this house. Some people hold grudges silently."

Madame Mo nodded beside her. "Exactly. And with all the chaos lately, anything could have happened."

Lin Xu narrowed her eyes at them. Their tone... it was too calm, too smooth.

Mo Ying ignored them. "Let me see her."

He went into the room immediately, and the rest of the family followed behind him.

Lady Xu was awake now, sitting up weakly as her maid fed her warm water. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were clearer.

Mo Ying stepped forward. "Lady Xu," he said gently, "you’re safe now. Tell me, did you see who poisoned you?"

The room fell silent.

Everyone waited.

Lady Xu looked around slowly, her eyes moving from one family member to another.... Grandma Mo... Uncle Mo... Madame Mo... Mo Lan... San Na... Lin Xu...

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Then she whispered, voice shaking, "I... I can’t say. You all... you won’t believe me."

Mo Ying stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "I will believe you. No matter who it is. Just tell me. I’m here."

Lady Xu’s lips quivered. She looked scared, truly scared.

Her maid squeezed her hand gently.

After a long, painful pause, Lady Xu lifted her trembling hand.

Everyone watched closely.

Slowly... she raised her hand...

...turned it...

...and pointed straight at...

Lin Xu.

The room erupted in shock.

Lin Xu froze.

San Na’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.

Madame Mo’s eyes narrowed in interest.

Grandma Mo gasped loudly. "Lin Xu?! Why would she—?!"

Mo Ying’s face went completely stiff.

And Lin Xu stared back at Lady Xu, confused and stunned.

Lady Xu’s voice cracked as she whispered, "It... it was her..."

Mo Lan let out a sharp, mocking laugh, the kind that instantly made tempers rise.

"Oh please," she said loudly, folding her arms. "Lin Xu? Of course it’s her. Who else would poison Lady Xu? She’s always pretending to be innocent, but she must be jealous, Trying to remove every other woman from mo ying’s life one by one."

Lin Xu’s jaw tightened. "I did no such thing."

"Oh? Then explain!" Mo Lan shot back instantly.

Grandma Mo stepped forward, her face twisting with worry. "Lin Xu, child... tell us the truth. Were you anywhere near Lady Xu today?"

Uncle Mo added sharply, "You should speak before this becomes worse. Poisoning is not a small matter."

Lin Xu inhaled deeply, steadying herself. "I wasn’t the one. I’ve been busy with the banquet arrangements since early morning. I barely even know Lady Xu, why would I poison someone I have no quarrel with?"

Her voice trembled slightly, but it was steady with sincerity.

Mo Ying stood beside her, eyes firm. Without hesitation, he reached for her hand and held it tightly in front of everyone.

The message was clear.

"I believe her," he said, his voice cold and unwavering. "Lin Xu is not the type to do such a thing."

Mo Lan scoffed loudly. "Of course you believe her! You’re blinded by affection. But I’m telling youshe acts gentle, but deep inside, she’s calculating. She wants to be the only one by your side, and she’ll hurt anyone in her way!"

Lin Xu stepped forward, angry now. "Mo Lan, enough! You’re accusing me without a single piece of proof! Why are you so desperate to push this blame on me?"

"Because it makes sense!" Mo Lan shouted back. "You want to get rid of competition!"

Mo Ying’s eyes flashed. "Mo Lan, watch your words."

But Mo Lan didn’t back down, her mother quickly stepping beside her, ready to support her daughter with more sharp words.

The room filled with tension, voices rising, tempers flaring.

Grandma Mo finally shouted, "Enough! We need to hear from Lady Xu once more. Mo Ying, ask her again."

Mo Ying nodded, turning back to Lady Xu, who looked frightened and exhausted on the bed.

"Lady Xu," he said gently, "why... why did you think it was Lin Xu? Tell us exactly what you saw."

Lady Xu swallowed hard, trembling as she spoke.

"I... I was resting," she whispered. "It was dark. Someone came into my room, quietly. I didn’t see the person’s face. But... but they were wearing a white hanfu. They forced me to swallow something before running away..."

Mo Lan’s eyes lit up instantly. She pointed dramatically at Lin Xu. "See?! You are the only one wearing a white hanfu today, if not you who else could it be!"