The male protagonist is a black heart lotus

Chapter 7

“Zhang Meng, you’re back! You’ve caused trouble this time! After eating your food, Young Master Ji felt dizzy and nauseous, vomiting terribly. Miss Zhong Ling is very angry and wants to punish you!”

Zhang Meng was startled. “How could this be?”

Jin Yue said, “It’s already happened. Miss Zhong Ling and the others are in the backyard. You should go see them quickly.”

Zhang Meng hurriedly put down her sword and followed Jin Yue to the backyard.

It was already very dark. Lanterns were lit in the backyard, the dim firelight illuminating the courtyard. The night breeze blew, causing the flames to flicker, as if they would extinguish at any moment.

Zhang Meng felt her heart fluttering like the wavering firelight, becoming restless.

Zhong Huo stood solemnly to the side, next to an elegant middle-aged woman.

A handsome young man sat by the stone table, his brows slightly furrowed, covering his mouth with his hand as he retched incessantly.

Jin Yue poked Zhang Meng and whispered, “The one standing beside the master is Miss Zhong Ling. The one sitting at the stone table is Young Master Ji. You should go apologize first.”

Zhang Meng quickly walked over. Seeing her, Zhong Huo pulled Zhang Meng to her side.

“Zhang Meng, what did you do? What mushrooms did you feed Young Master Ji?” Zhang Meng quietly replied, “Just the usual ones. I’ve made them for you before and you were fine.” Since Zhang Meng appeared, Zhong Ling’s brows had remained knitted. She spoke in an unpleasant tone, “She must have accidentally mixed in poisonous mushrooms. Huo, how could you trustingly let such a careless person cook?”

Zhang Meng lowered her head guiltily. “I’m sorry. Is Young Master Ji alright? Has a doctor been called?” Ji Ming weakly raised his head, his lips pale, his jade-like face covered in fine sweat. He waved his hand at Zhang Meng. “Constable Zhang need not worry. Ji Ming is not seriously harmed.”

Zhong Huo said to Zhang Meng, “Someone has already been sent to find a doctor. They should arrive shortly.” After the doctor came to examine Ji Ming, it was confirmed that he had mistakenly eaten poisonous mushrooms, causing the vomiting and dizziness. Luckily, the mushrooms were not highly toxic and Ji Ming hadn’t eaten much, so he was not in serious danger.

The doctor wrote a prescription for Ji Ming. Zhang Meng took the prescription, preparing to get the medicine, but Zhong Ling stopped her.

“If we let you get the medicine, Young Master Ji will pass on to the next life.” She said coldly, pointing to Jin Yue who was standing to the side, “You go get the medicine.” Jin Yue took the prescription from Zhang Meng’s hand and left.

Zhang Meng gave Ji Ming a guilty look. Turning back to Zhong Huo, she said, “It’s this subordinate’s fault that Young Master Ji was poisoned. I feel deep remorse. Please punish me, Master.” Zhong Huo said, “It wasn’t intentional on your part…”

“Huo.” Zhong Ling interrupted her. “Someone so careless naturally deserves punishment. Today she mixed poisonous mushrooms into the food. Tomorrow she could poison the entire constabulary.” Zhang Meng said, “Please punish this subordinate, Master.”

In the end, Zhong Huo docked half a year’s wages from Zhang Meng and forbade her from setting foot in the kitchen.

Zhong Ling was unsatisfied, but Zhong Huo managed the constabulary. There was nothing more she could say.

Zhang Meng had long accepted the reality of having negative net worth. So she had no objections to having half a year’s wages deducted. She even secretly rejoiced at being banned from the kitchen by Zhong Huo. After all, she would no longer have to rise early and retire late to work in the kitchen.