Exile after Divorce? Empty the Scumbag Husband First!-Chapter 425 - 350: Yet Not Long After, Yun Xiu Actually Returned Voluntarily

He began to cast a sugar-coated trap, but was interrupted by Ruan Mian: "I am grateful for today’s events, but my lord, I’m quite vexed with the trouble I’ve been put through. I’ll go rest for now, and perhaps another day we can discuss matters at your residence."

Qin Fu snorted when he saw she still had the nerve to refuse, but he wasn’t in a hurry.

He specifically found someone to take her next door to the pleasure boat to rest: "In that case, Miss Ruan, relax first, eat and drink well, and when you wish to return home, just have the maid escort you."

Ruan Mian conveniently pointed to the Piano Master from earlier: "Perhaps my lord could have this Piano Master lead the way for me, and I could listen to some tunes as well."

Qin Fu nodded without hesitation, allowing the Piano Master to accompany Ruan Mian to the pleasure boat next door.

Besides the Piano Master, there were a few other servants attending to them.

As soon as Ruan Mian entered, while the Piano Master was playing music for her, she beckoned the Piano Master to come closer.

She casually took out a piece of silver and handed it to the woman in front of her.

"Leave, this is no place for you."

She thought these Piano Masters were temporarily called in; with so many foppish young men outside like Young Master You, she must have felt uncomfortable after being teased earlier.

But to Ruan Mian’s surprise, the woman didn’t care; instead, she said,

"What is this, miss? I belong to Lord Qin. Naturally, where Lord Qin is, I will also be."

Ruan Mian was slightly stunned, then smiled at her: "I misunderstood. You willingly stay by Qin Fu’s side. In that case, pretend you didn’t hear what I said just now."

She withdrew her silver, respecting her choice without judgment.

However, as the woman backed away, she inadvertently dropped a packet of powder from her sleeve, scattering it on the ground.

The white powder scattered at Ruan Mian’s feet, and she instinctively crouched down. The Piano Master, who had exuded pride a moment ago, suddenly looked panicked, hurriedly kneeling on the ground, gathering the powder at high speed.

Her hands trembled due to fear.

And the powder emitted a peculiar scent.

Ruan Mian saw some remaining powder scattered by her feet and attempted to pick it up to smell, but the Piano Master, in desperation, knocked her hand away!

Terror filled her eyes, and realizing her rudeness, she quickly lowered her gaze, humbling herself in a kneeling posture.

"Spare me, miss. I acted rashly just now in a moment of panic."

Seeing her change in attitude so suddenly, Ruan Mian grew more curious about the powder.

She helped the woman up, and as she did so, she nonchalantly took some of the powder from her and placed it on her fingertips, examining it intently before asking,

"What is this?"

The Piano Master simply replied, "It’s nothing, just something for my sore throat from singing..."

"I am a healer. Whether this is a life-saving herb or a harmful poison, I can discern."

She paused, unable to speak further.

No matter how Ruan Mian pressed her, the woman remained silent, refusing to speak.

Seeing this, Ruan Mian didn’t force her further.

She carefully smelled the powder and realized it wasn’t ordinary medicine. After searching through her memory, she slowly recalled that this powder was extracted from a poisonous plant.

It was bitter, had a strong odor, and possessed potent hallucinogenic properties.

Her father had once used such plant extracts for small anesthesia doses while practicing medicine at the garrison.

She also grew them in her space because anesthetics required a lot of goodwill points to redeem, whereas ordinary minor surgical sutures didn’t need those anesthetics, so she cultivated these as substitutes.

However, the powder had such a pungent smell; the concentration must be considerable.

She looked up at the Piano Master, staring as she asked, "Who gave this to you? Did you take it yourself, or were you forced?"

The Piano Master still didn’t speak, but her expression changed, as if she wanted to say something but stopped.

So Ruan Mian guessed, tentatively probing.

"Did Lord Qin give it to you?"

The Piano Master suddenly looked up, confirming Ruan Mian’s speculation! Indeed, it was given to her by Qin Fu.

Remembering what she said earlier, that she preferred to stay and serve Qin Fu over leaving when given the chance.

A thought lingered fully in Ruan Zi’s heart and mind.

She leaned closer to the Piano Master, lowered her voice, and said slowly.

"You didn’t originally want to stay here, but because you can’t live without this powder, you’re forced to remain and serve Lord Qin, is that right?"

Upon hearing this, the Piano Master’s eyes were filled with disbelief, almost asking how she knew.