Qin Tongtong was calm, convinced that they had no proof against her.
“Big brother… show me then.”
Qin Yunchuan pulled a small packet from his pocket. “This is the evidence.”
“Big brother, what’s that?”
“An oleander powder packet!”
Qin Tongtong trembled all over. Her eyes fixed on the packet, her fingers clutching her skirt.
She had thrown it away.
How could it have ended up in Qin Zichuan’s hands? The abandoned courtyard had no cameras and no one else was there.
Where on earth had Qin Yunchuan found it?
“Big brother, how can you be sure this packet belongs to Tongtong? She’s just a child; there’s no way she could poison someone. I know you have a deep misunderstanding of her because of Qin Mianmian. We shouldn’t let personal bias hurt an innocent person.”
“Qin Zichuan, I wanted to tell you to put aside your bias.” This younger brother… was he out of his mind?
Favoring Qin Tongtong so blindly—he wondered if their mother had accidentally mixed him up at birth.
“Exactly, big brother! You can’t just assume I did it because you’re suspicious. I won’t admit to something I didn’t do.”
Qin Tongtong still clung to hope. Mianmian gently took the packet from Qin Yunchuan, unwrapped it, and held it up. “Look carefully at what kind of paper this is.”
Qin Zichuan frowned, then recognition dawned. “This is the Bingwen Plum Blossom jade paper!”
“That’s right. It’s ancient paper—a high-priced gift our collaborator bought for grandpa, later passed to Second Aunt’s family. Third brother… any more doubts?”
Using expensive ancient paper to wrap poison—it was extravagance gone too far.
Only Second Aunt’s household had this paper. The ironclad evidence was right in front of him. Qin Zichuan could hardly believe it.
“Tongtong… it really was you?”
Regret flooded Qin Tongtong. How could she have forgotten this crucial detail?
Mianmian crossed her arms and walked up to her. “The evidence is solid. No way to deny it. Qin Tongtong, will you confess?”
Even the most careful plan can have a slip.
Tears fell from Qin Tongtong’s eyes. She dropped to her knees. Mianmian jumped back in shock, instinctively clutching Qin Yunchuan’s hand.
“Big brother, she’s kneeling! Do I… need to shorten my lifespan?”
“You’re the same generation; you’ll live a long life.”
Mianmian exhaled in relief, patting her chest. “Phew, that was scary!”
Qin Tongtong had tried to harm Mianmian, and Qin Yunchuan would never let her off easily.
Even Qin Zichuan’s favoritism couldn’t defend her this time.
“Third brother, I was wrong! I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to teach Qin Mianmian a lesson. I didn’t mean to hurt her! Sob sob… I was wrong… Big brother, Third brother, I really… I’m sorry…”
Qin Tongtong sobbed, apologizing only to Qin Yunchuan and Qin Zichuan, not Mianmian.
It was obvious her apology wasn’t sincere.
Hearing her cries, Qin Yunchuan’s brows darkened with anger.
“Bring her out. She will kneel for three full hours. Not finished? She stays down.”
The butler stepped forward to drag Qin Tongtong away.
She had harmed Miss Mianmian; she was the enemy of the entire Qin household.
Her screams pierced the air. Qin Yunchuan barked, “Make her stop shouting!”
Soon, the crying stopped.
Mianmian stretched comfortably on the sofa, kicking her legs. The villain had been punished, and she could finally rest. Clearly, she was delighted.
Qin Zichuan remained silent.
He knew he had misunderstood Mianmian. Words of apology… were hard to say.
After some internal struggle, Qin Zichuan mustered courage. “Qin Mianmian, today I misunderstood you. I apologize.”
“You admit your mistake, Third Brother? Good kid! I forgive you!”
Mianmian was magnanimous, and Qin Zichuan felt even more ashamed.
He felt like less of an adult than a child…
His lips pressed tight as Qin Yunchuan shared an orange with Mianmian. They laughed and chatted happily, sitting close together. Mianmian was polite but Qin Zichuan could sense a slight distance in her demeanor.
He felt a pang of loss and stepped out.
Qin Yunchuan handed Mianmian a slice of orange, glancing at Qin Zichuan’s retreating figure.
It was time this kid experienced being ignored.
“Big brother… what are you looking at?”
“Nothing. Mianmian, be good.”
Mianmian nibbled her orange while stroking the little tabby. The cat curled up comfortably on the sofa.
Soon, the butler rushed in. Second Aunt had arrived. Qin Yunchuan had anticipated her visit.
How could a child possibly get oleander powder? The culprit behind this must be Second Aunt.
No matter how malicious Qin Tongtong was, a child’s capabilities were limited.
Seeing Mianmian and Qin Yunchuan together, Second Aunt witnessed her own daughter kneeling in the cold wind.
She stomped her high heels and ran.
“Tongtong… Tongtong! Who told you to kneel here? Get up!”
“Second Madam, Miss Tongtong hasn’t completed three hours yet. She cannot leave.”
The butler stopped her.
Qin Tongtong shivered in the cold, curling her neck, tears streaming uncontrollably.
“Mom… save me! I’m scared!”
Second Aunt’s anger boiled. She furiously confronted Qin Yunchuan.
“Even if Tongtong made a mistake, she doesn’t deserve such cruel punishment! Qin Yunchuan, your heart is too cold!”
“Second Madam, Tongtong poisoned Mianmian. Having her kneel here is already the lightest punishment.”
“Impossible! Mianmian wouldn’t poison anyone! You framed Tongtong!” Second Aunt panicked inside.
She vehemently denied it. Qin Yunchuan ignored her. Tongtong must kneel.
No matter how much she shouted or cursed, Qin Yunchuan blocked Mianmian’s ears.
He signaled the butler to escort her away.
As for Qin Tongtong, she continued to kneel.
Qin Yunchuan carried Mianmian back to her bedroom, comforting her. She didn’t need to mind other people’s voices. As the little princess of the Qin family, all she needed was to be happy every day.
Mianmian nodded.
After Qin Yunchuan left, Mianmian stroked the little tabby by her pillow. She got out of bed, stretched her short legs. “Second Aunt will surely come again.”
[Children shouldn’t worry too much. With your big brother here, now you and I can rest well.]
Mianmian kissed the little tabby’s face. The cat meowed loudly.
She kissed it twice more, giggling as she petted its paws.
“Shy kitty.”
[Nonsense! I’m not shy.] The proud little tabby wagged its tail, closing its eyes. Mianmian, satisfied, returned to bed.
A night of sweet dreams.
The next morning, Mianmian was woken by knocking. She rubbed her eyes sleepily.
The maid came in. “Miss Mianmian, it’s time for breakfast.”
“Little Hong… it’s you? Where’s my big brother?” Yesterday, he said he’d wake me up!
Today, he doesn’t keep his word.
Little Hong’s smile stiffened. “The young master has gone to the company.”
“You’re lying…”