She disregarded the recommended dosage of the antipyretic and took double.
***
Ming Yuqian drove them to Yu Garden.
Upon entering, they were met with stern faces from the family. 0
Everyone except Ming Yutong and Ming Yuqian was present
Naturally, Jiang Lulian was absent. This was an internal family matter, and no outsiders were involved.
The previous day, the Ming family elders, along with Ming Jingshan and Ming Jingshui and their spouses, had briefly questioned Jiang Lulian about what happened, while Ming Silian cried the whole time.
Jiang Lulian couldn't provide a clear explanation. He only mentioned that he saw Ming Yutong looking unwell and went to get medicine for her from the hotel.
When he returned and couldn't find her, a waiter told him she had gone to her room to change due to dirty clothes, so he followed.
However, at the room's door, he was suddenly attacked and lost consciousness.
He knew nothing until Ming Silian's scream woke him. Jiang Lulian insisted that nothing happened between him and Ming Silian.
As a man, he was sure of what had transpired, or rather, what had not.
This implication of refusing to take responsibility for Ming Silian infuriated the elders of the Ming family.
They felt Jiang Lulian was being disrespectful, especially after many had seen the two in a compromising state.
After Jiang Lulian left, Ming Jingshui and Fang Qianan took Ming Silian home and privately questioned her.
Ming Silian pointed the finger at Ming Yutong as the instigator. This angered Ming Jingshui and Fang Qian'an, as they believed Ming Silian had no reason to falsely accuse Ming Yutong.
Moreover, Ming Yuqian had previously accused Ming Silian of having feelings for Jiang Lulian.
It seemed plausible that Ming Yutong, who disliked Jiang Lulian, might have orchestrated this to pair Ming Silian with Jiang Lulian and free herself from the situation.
Thus, when Ming Yutong and Ming Yuqian arrived, Ming Jingshui and Fang Qianan's expressions were sour.
They were grateful Ming Yutong had found Ming Silian, but her alleged scheming against Ming Silian was unacceptable.
Grandma Ming, seeing Ming Yutong's pale and weak appearance, hurriedly asked Ming Yuqian to help her sit down. She grasped Ming Yutong's hand, her concern evident.
"What happened? Why are you so pale?" she asked, touching Ming Yutong's forehead. "Oh dear, you're burning up!"
Ming Yutong smiled weakly. She had deliberately come without makeup today, her lips bloodless and her face as pale as paper due to the fever.
"Grandma, don't worry. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, had a headache, so I left the party early. I didn't expect to have a fever in the middle of the night," Ming Yutong explained.
Ming Yuqian added from the side, "She must be overworked."
"Oh, I know you're diligent, working hard for the family and the company, but you must take care of yourself. Don't overdo it," Grandma Ming advised, giving a meaningful glance at Ming Jingshui and Fang Qian'an.
They had arrived before Ming Yutong and Ming Yuqian, sharing everything Ming Silian had said last night with the elders, hoping they would take charge.
However, the emotional bond with Ming Yutong was deeper since she had been with them longer.
People have their biases.
Old Mr. Ming remained silent, but Old Mrs. Ming clearly favored Ming Yutong. Over the years, she knew Ming Yutong's character well.
This girl was straightforward and honest. Even if she didn't want to marry Jiang Lulian, she wouldn't resort to such underhanded methods, especially not involving her sister.
Old Mrs. Ming didn't believe the accusations against Ming Yutong at all.
Now, hearing Ming Yutong's explanation, she was satisfied.
"I stayed in Yuqian's car to rest. I only heard about what happened between Lulian and Silian from Yuqian," Ming Yutong said.
Her complexion seemed even paler, and she looked like she might collapse even while sitting on the sofa.
Ming Yuqian quickly reached out to support her, and they heard Ming Yutong sigh, "I didn't expect Lulian and Silian to..."
Ming Yutong sighed again. "Actually, I knew Silian liked Jiang Lulian. Silian, if you liked him, you should have told me. As your elder sister, would I compete with you? Why go through all this trouble? Your actions not only damage your reputation but also make the Ming family look bad. How could you be so short-sighted?"
"You..." Ming Silian looked on the verge of tears.
Old Mrs. Ming, seeing Ming Yutong's pale and weak appearance, hurriedly asked Ming Yuqian to help her sit down. She grasped Ming Yutong's hand, her concern evident.
"What happened? Why are you so pale?" she asked, touching Ming Yutong's forehead. "Oh dear, you're burning up!"
Ming Yutong smiled weakly. She had deliberately come without makeup today, her lips bloodless and her face as pale as paper due to the fever.
"Grandma, don't worry. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, had a headache, so I left the party early. I didn't expect to have a fever in the middle of the night," Ming Yutong explained.
Ming Yuqian added from the side, "She must be overworked."
"Oh, I know you're diligent, working hard for the family and the company, but you must take care of yourself. Don't overdo it," Old Mrs. Ming advised, giving a meaningful glance at Ming Jingshui and Fang Qianan.
They had arrived before Ming Yutong and Ming Yuqian, sharing everything Ming Silian had said last night with the elders, hoping they would take charge. However, the emotional bond with Ming Yutong was deeper since she had been with them longer.
People have their biases.
Old Mr. Ming remained silent, but Old Mrs. Ming clearly favored Ming Yutong. Over the years, she knew Ming Yutong's character well. This girl was straightforward and honest. Even if she didn't want to marry Jiang Lulian, she wouldn't resort to such underhanded methods, especially not involving her sister.
Old Mrs. Ming didn't believe the accusations against Ming Yutong at all.
Now, hearing Ming Yutong's explanation, she was satisfied.
"I stayed in Yuqian's car to rest. I only heard about what happened between Lulian and Silian from Yuqian," Ming Yutong said.
Her complexion seemed even paler, and she looked like she might collapse even while sitting on the sofa.
Ming Yuqian quickly reached out to support her, and they heard Ming Yutong sigh, "I didn't expect Lulian and Silian to..."
Ming Yutong sighed again. "Actually, I knew Silian liked Jiang Lulian. Silian, if you liked him, you should have told me. As your elder sister, would I compete with you? Why go through all this trouble? Your actions not only damage your reputation but also make the Ming family look bad. How could you be so short-sighted?"
"You..." Ming Silian looked on the verge of tears.
Usually, her tearful appearance would evoke pity.
But today, Ming Yutong looked even more pitiful, her illness amplifying the contrast.
Ming Silian, crying pitifully, said, "Sister, why would you set me up? Yesterday, I went with you to the guest room, but at the door, I was knocked out."
Ming Yutong shook her head. "As you said, why would I do such a thing? Just to avoid marrying Jiang Lulian? If I don't want to marry, do you think the family would force me? We're not even engaged yet. He's only pursuing me, and I haven't accepted. Why would I be so hasty?"