Ming Yuqian carried Ming Yutong, fully clothed, into the bathtub, leaving the rest to Aunt Liu.
After a while, Aunt Liu came out and told Ming Yuqian, "Miss is soaking in the hot bath. I'll go back in half an hour."
Ming Yuqian nodded, and Aunt Liu went to find some pajamas for Ming Yutong to change into later. Then, she went to the kitchen, took out brown sugar and old ginger, and made a small pot of brown sugar ginger tea for Ming Yutong to drink after her bath.
Aunt Liu handed the pajamas to Ming Yutong and then made sure she drank the entire pot of brown sugar ginger tea, which made her belly feel bloated. But at least her body warmed up a bit.
The cold water earlier felt like it had seeped the chill into her bones. Even now, after a hot bath and drinking the ginger tea, her hands and feet were still cold.
Aunt Liu also prepared a hot water bottle for Ming Yutong to hold.
"Do you want to take some fever medicine?" Ming Yuqian asked, worried.
"She's not running a fever yet, so it's best not to take it now. I've given her some cold medicine. I'll check on her frequently during the night, and if she starts to run a fever, we'll give her the fever medicine immediately," Aunt Liu said.
"Aunt Liu, thank you," Ming Yutong said weakly.
She felt completely drained of energy. Because of what had happened with Fu Yinxiu, she was also emotionally deflated and had no spirit.
"Don't mention it," Aunt Liu quickly said.
"Aunt Liu, you should rest now. I'll still need your help during the night," Ming Yuqian said.
"Alright." Aunt Liu knew the siblings had more to discuss, so she went back to her bedroom.
Then, Ming Yuqian told Ming Yutong about the incident with Jiang Lulian and Ming Silian. As for Fu Yinxiu, he didn't ask.
He didn't know what had transpired between Ming Yutong and Fu Yinxiu during that time, but Ming Yutong never liked to talk about Fu Yinxiu.
Ming Yuqian didn't want to bring up the man who had hurt her. The more he was mentioned, the harder it would be to forget him.
He pretended as if nothing had happened, hoping it would make Ming Yutong more comfortable.
Ming Yutong, holding the hot water bottle, felt her hands warming up.
"Earlier at the banquet, before you and our parents arrived, I saw Uncle and Aunt and went over to greet them, but Jia Mingkai stopped me and insisted I drink a glass of wine," Ming Yutong explained.
"The nerve of him," Ming Yuqian said coldly.
"I wasn't far from Uncle and Aunt, but they were facing away from me and didn't see me," Ming Yutong continued. "However, Ming Silian saw me. She pretended not to notice and kept Uncle and Aunt talking, preventing them from turning around."
"I sensed something was off with Ming Silian, so I got rid of Jia Mingkai and ran into Chen Wanghe," Ming Yutong said with a frown. "He also wanted me to drink. When I raised my glass, I saw Ming Silian staring at me, eagerly watching to see if I'd drink it."
Ming Yuqian narrowed his eyes. "The drink was spiked."
Ming Yutong nodded. "So I didn't drink it. I bumped into a waiter and spilled it. The commotion finally drew Uncle and Aunt's attention, and they came over. Ming Silian offered to take me to a guest room to change clothes. I wanted to see what she was up to, so I went with her. But then…"
Ming Yutong's face turned pale. "I ran into Fu Yinxiu. He had Ming Silian knocked out and took me to the next room."
Seeing Ming Yuqian's tightly furrowed brows, Ming Yutong said, "Nothing happened between us."
"Stop thinking about him," Ming Yuqian said. "Don't let it upset you."
Ming Yutong nodded.
"So, was Jiang Lulian arranged by Fu Yinxiu?" Ming Yuqian guessed, glancing at Ming Yutong again.
What did Fu Yinxiu mean by this?
Did he somehow hear about Ming Yutong and Jiang Lulian and decide to sabotage it?
What was his motive?
"Regardless of who did it, this incident will finally make the family stop trying to match me with Jiang Lulian," Ming Yutong said.
Being caught with Ming Silian and Jiang Lulian in disarray on the bed meant the Ming family would never consider pairing Jiang Lulian with Ming Yutong again.
Ming Yuqian felt disgruntled. "Doesn't this benefit Ming Silian?"
Ming Yutong smirked. "She tried to set me up. I won't let her get away with it. I said I don't want Jiang Lulian, but I won't let her have him either."
Her expression darkened. "Tomorrow, we're going to Yu Garden."
Ming Yuqian sighed in relief and smiled. As long as Ming Silian didn't get her way, he was satisfied.
"Get some rest, sis," Ming Yuqian said.
Ming Yutong nodded and went to the bedroom Ming Yuqian had prepared for her.
Throughout the night, Ming Yuqian and Aunt Liu checked on Ming Yutong multiple times. She did develop a fever during the night. Aunt Liu woke her, gave her fever medicine, and added two more blankets to keep her warm.
By morning, the high fever had reduced to a low one. Aunt Liu made porridge for Ming Yutong. Seeing her pale and weak, Ming Yuqian suggested, "Maybe we shouldn't go to Yu Garden today. You need to rest."
Ming Yutong shook her head, sipping the porridge. "I need to look as pathetic as possible. Today, while I'm in such a miserable state, is the perfect time to go to Yu Garden."
Ming Yuqian understood immediately and chuckled. "Sis, you're something else."
Ming Yutong put down the spoon. "Ming Silian is probably spinning a tale to the elders. We can't let that go unanswered."
She stood up. "Let's go."
Even though she still had a low fever, and the lingering effects of the high fever made her feel dizzy, she was determined.