Looking at the sister-in-law’s somber expression, it’s clear the result isn’t good.
"At first, when we entered the city, we were warmly welcod. But when we expressed our unwillingness to settle here, the townspeople quickly turned unfriendly, speaking in cryptic and sarcastic tones. We didn’t pay much attention at the ti.
The next day, they sent another group to persuade us, using both threats and promises. When we still insisted on leaving, they revealed their vicious nature and turned their swords on us. A few families realized sothing was wrong and joined them. The remaining villagers resisted, regardless of age, raising their swords to fight. More than a dozen people, including two clan elders, were killed on the spot. Everyone was imdiately terrified and dared not resist any longer. If Leng Qi hadn’t intervened, father and second uncle wouldn’t have survived. Unfortunately, Leng Qi was outnumbered and eventually captured.
Two families couldn’t withstand the pressure and joined them. The rest who refused to relent beca prisoners, and we were later sold like goods to various wealthy young masters. The n were imprisoned and tortured daily until they agreed to beco part of this place."
Tears began to flow again as she spoke, "I’m sorry, Xiaoxiao. We should have waited for your return. What are we going to do now? We don’t even know how everyone at ho is doing."
They were warned that those people were problematic and to be cautious, but they still fell for it.
She also holds so responsibility; she shouldn’t have left in a rush.
Forget it!
Now isn’t the ti to figure out who’s right or wrong.
"Sister-in-law, you’ll have to stay here for now. Here’s so dicinal powder that you can use to protect yourself if necessary." Cheng Xiaoxiao solemnly handed Li Qiuchan a small bottle.
"Be careful yourself!"
Li Qiuchan knew she couldn’t help much, and not causing trouble for Xiaoxiao was the best she could do, so she accepted it without fuss.
Cheng Xiaoxiao left the bundle with Li Qiuchan, instructing her to administer the dicine to soone every day, then swiftly left the courtyard.
At this mont, inside a lavish residence where young masters were gathered, the place was already brightly lit and surrounded, even Zhuge Fang had arrived at the scene.
Zhao Laosan was already scared stiff. He clearly hadn’t administered poison; how did the person die?
Upon seeing Zhuge Fang’s arrival, he cried out as he approached, "Brother Zhuge, Brother Zhuge, it wasn’t , really, you must believe ."
Another noble young master heard this and shouted, "How could it not be you? It was definitely because Brother Liu took your woman yesterday, and you harbored resentnt and purposely retaliated."
"Yes, yes!" A group of young masters chid in.
Zhuge Fang coldly asked, "What’s going on?"
A soldier clad in battle attire stepped forward and reported, "Reporting, sir, here’s how the situation unfolded..."
Having understood the whole story, Zhuge Fang cursed Zhao Laosan secretly countless tis.
This incompetent fool ssed up his plans completely. Now, how could he explain this to the Liu Family in the Capital City?
Such stupidity.
No matter how unhappy and angry he was internally, since the event had already occurred, he had to figure out how to handle the aftermath.
Elder Hong, standing by, knew all too well that resolving the incident wouldn’t be easy. To detach his master from involvent, he could only bla it on personal grudges. Even if Zhao Laosan hadn’t administered the poison, it had to be him.
After all, everyone witnessed it firsthand!
Adding to this, with a follower’s confession and evidence present, there was no room for denial.
Following this, Elder Hong exchanged glances with Zhuge Fang, seeing the anticipated resolution reflected in each other’s eyes.
And so, Zhuge Fang spoke hesitantly, "Mr. Zhao, it’s not that I, Zhuge Fang, don’t trust you. But with witnesses and evidence here, if you claim you weren’t the one who acted, you need to provide evidence!"
"I... I... I didn’t harm anyone, so where would the evidence co from."
He suddenly turned around, pointing at the people around him, and stamringly said, "Don’t falsely accuse . At most, I only administered dicine to prevent him from touching won. How could I have poisoned him? I’m not stupid. The Liu Family is wealthy and powerful. Killing him would bring no benefit."
After hearing Zhao Laosan’s words, the group started to consider the possibility, thinking they were all friends and often engaged in verbal sparring, sotis even with physical pushes, but never to the extent of killing anyone.
There was a chance that Zhao Laosan hadn’t committed the murder.
Seeing the willingness to believe him, Zhao Laosan pressed on, "Although I don’t get along with Brother Liu, I’m well aware of his status within his family. Would I risk dragging the entire Zhao Family down just for a woman?"
The young master in white clothing chid in, "Zhao San makes valid points. Perhaps, Brother Zhuge, out of respect for the Zhao Family, investigate thoroughly before making a decision."
At this point, an elder from the Liu Family stepped forward, "Regardless of what everyone here thinks, my family’s young master is now dead. If you refuse to hand over the culprit, none of you can leave tonight."
Housekeeper Liu spoke dominantly, and instantly, more than ten Hidden Guards appeared in the courtyard and encircled the place.
The other young masters protested, "What do you an?"
They sympathized with Zhao Laosan but didn’t wish to invite trouble upon themselves.
"I only know that our young master left this morning in good health, and the surroundings are protected by each family’s Hidden Guards, preventing any outsiders from entering. I already questioned the Hidden Guards protecting the young master; they haven’t noticed anything unusual, so the poisoner must be one of you." Housekeeper Liu’s statent was like a death sentence for everyone present.
Better to err on the side of caution than to let the guilty go free.
"Housekeeper Liu, don’t forget this is Zhuge Fang’s territory!" Zhuge Fang was deeply irate at the Liu Family’s actions.
No consideration for face, they directly surrounded the area.
"Apologies, Zhuge Junling. Our young master died under mysterious circumstances, and I must take action. When we return to the Capital City, it’s imperative to provide an explanation to the Family Head. I hope you’ll pardon any transgression."
Zhuge Fang was furious—always resorting to pressure from the Capital City, it’s absurd. At worst, let everything fall apart.
"We understand Housekeeper Liu’s emotions and actions. But as the City Lord, given such a grave oversight in our jurisdiction, our young master must certainly provide the Liu Family with an explanation."
"Exactly, Brother Zhuge will ascertain the real culprit, and it’s definitely not related to us."
"Precisely. Don’t speak recklessly. We’re all good friends with Brother Liu; how could we harm him."
"I’ve no grievances with him; why would I harm him."
"Speaking of disagreents, Zhao San is the only one who has conflicts with Brother Liu here. If you’re going to suspect anyone, suspect him. We’re innocent."
Once the matter hit each of them personally, the typically close friends quickly dissociated themselves.
Clearly now, a life was lost. No matter how close they were, none would take the bla for such things.
The families backing them couldn’t bear the weight either.
"How can you say that? You have no motive for murder; neither do I. It was only a quarrel."
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