The afternoon sun filtered softly through the tall windows of the Leng Manor's tea room. A three-tiered tray of delicate pastries sat at the center of the table, and Lu Jingyan, ever mindful, had carefully prepared a batch of fresh scones for the small gathering.
Leng Yumo reached for one, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "These look amazing. Don't tell me you really made these, sister-in-law?"
Lu Jingyan smiled modestly. "I did. I used almond flour and a dash of cream. No sugar, just honey. And I made sure to avoid—"
Before she could finish, Yumo had already taken a large bite.
"Mmm, this is actually good," Yumo said through a mouthful. She leaned back in her chair, chewing slowly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "There's a rich taste. Did you use… butter?"
Lu Jingyan's face immediately paled. "No. I mean why would I use butter when I know you are allergic to it"
A flicker of discomfort passed over Yumo's face. She set the scone down carefully, her hand brushing her lips. "It's probably nothing, but my tongue feels… weird."
In the corner, Ning Ruomo exchanged a glance with Leng Meixuan. A secret message passed amongst the two of them
Seconds later, Yumo coughed.
Lu Jingyan noticed something was off the moment Leng Yumo dropped her fork.
Her lips were swelling.
"Yumo?" Jingyan's voice rose with concern. Yumo clutched her throat, her eyes widening as she struggled to breathe.
"Momo" Lu Jingyan called as she steps closer to her. The other also becomes alert
"What is happening?" Leng Meixuan asked as she stood up frantically
"She's having an allergic reaction!" Jingyan shouted, standing up so fast her chair scraped the floor.
Panic erupted around the dining table. Ning Ruomo froze in shock, while Meixuan gasped.
Without hesitation, Jingyan rushed to Yumo's side, grabbing her bag. "Where's your EpiPen?! Do you have it?"
Yumo nodded faintly, pointing weakly to her coat on the chair.
Jingyan fished it out, uncapped it, and injected it into Yumo's thigh with trembling but steady hands.
"Someone call the doctor!" she ordered.
The butler quickly picked up the phone to call the doctor and tell a maid to alert the young master
Within seconds, Yumo's breathing eased slightly, the swelling subsiding just enough.
Jingyan stayed kneeling beside her, hand clutching hers tightly. "You're okay. You'll be okay."
The tension in the Leng Manor dining hall was so thick it could be sliced with a knife.
Leng Yumo lay on the sofa, pale-faced and breathing shallowly. The doctor had just administered a shot to calm her allergic reaction. The smell of butter still lingered faintly in the air from the pastries on the table.
Ning Ruomo stood with folded arms, her voice as sharp as her eyes. "How convenient that you were the one who brought the pastries, Lu Jingyan."
Lu Jingyan's expression was stunned. "I didn't know put any butter in it. I made them myself" Lu Jingyan tried to explain
Leng Meixuan stepped forward, arms crossed smugly. "Don't play innocent. You're the one who asked earlier about Yumo's allergies. What kind of person asks and still goes ahead to make what could kill her?"
"I asked to be careful!" Lu Jingyan retorted, voice shaking. "I would never harm her. She's my family now."
"Family?" Ning Ruomo's laugh was bitter. "You think marrying Xuanmo makes you part of this family? You poisoned my daughter, and you want sympathy?"
Lu Jingyan's fists clenched. Her voice, though trembling, was clear. "If I wanted to hurt Yumo, I wouldn't have called the doctor the second I saw something was wrong. Check the pastries I didn't bake them."
Meixuan sneered. "A guilty conscience acts fast."
At that moment, Leng Xuanmo entered, his cold gaze sweeping the room. "Enough." His eyes locked on his mother and sister. "I'll handle this."
Lu Jingyan looked at him with wide, pained eyes—but he didn't say anything more.
And in that silence, the weight of betrayal settled heavily in her chest.