This pill has dual effects; it can temporarily seal a person’s inner strength while also containing a slow-acting poison.
If the antidote is not taken within five days, the poison will act like an arrow to the bowels, causing death.
Manager Yan and his subordinates were terrified, not knowing what they had ingested.
Qin Yu said coldly, "You need not panic. As long as you act as before, there will be no mishaps. Once we capture Xing Tian, you will regain your freedom."
The crowd, having narrowly escaped death, dared not say much and all nodded in agreement.
As for the women buried in the backyard, Qin Yu knew they could not be disturbed yet. If the news were to spread recklessly now, it might alert the enemy and affect the entire plan.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner under Qin Yu’s control.
He instructed his men to place the signal for Yun Heng’s meeting on the old locust tree, waiting for him to proactively meet with Manager Yan.
...
Shen Ruoxi quietly returned home, took off her night clothes, washed her face simply, and went to bed to rest.
However, she was soon awakened by the noise outside.
Chuntao’s voice was low, obviously restraining her anger, "Can’t you see the lady is resting? Making such a racket, do you have a death wish?"
"I didn’t want to either, but the Xiao’s Old Mrs. is at our gate with a chair, shouting and cursing. The guards are afraid to act rashly, and a crowd has gathered to watch. I came to inform the Marquis," the servant explained anxiously.
Shen Ruoxi’s eyes snapped open, a chill emanating from her gaze. What was this Old Mrs. Xiao trying to do?
"Can you keep your voice down? I’ll go wake the lady," Chuntao said in annoyance.
"But she is really speaking very harshly. I couldn’t hold back from shouting for the Marquis," the servant defended himself, aggrieved.
Chuntao was about to say more when she sensed something wrong. Turning around, she saw her lady standing right behind her, a chilly expression on her face.
"Miss," Chuntao said.
Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a cold smile. She told the reporting servant, "I understand. You may leave now!"
The servant bowed and withdrew, while Chuntao bit her lip and said, "Miss, that Old Mrs. Xiao is really shameless. I will go and shout back at her..."
Shen Ruoxi gently raised her hand, interrupting Chuntao’s anxious words, and said calmly, "No rush, once I am ready, I will go see her myself."
Chuntao promptly obeyed, swiftly preparing the washing water.
Once everything was ready, Shen Ruoxi had just stepped out of the house when she clearly heard Old Mrs. Xu’s voice, "Old Mrs. Xiao, please don’t be angry. Ruoxi is indeed a bit headstrong, but what can be done?
She doesn’t even respect me, her grandmother, let alone you. Please calm down, I apologize on her behalf."
Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi’s eyes turned icy cold, her heart filled with disdainful laughter.
This Old Mrs. Xu was cunning. Her apology put her in the spotlight, as if every word from Old Mrs. Xiao was true and all the blame fell on her.
Sure enough, before Old Mrs. Xu’s voice had faded, the surrounding crowd began to whisper.
"Even Old Mrs. Xu has bowed to Old Mrs. Xiao, it seems what she said about Shen Ruoxi is all true."
"Truly unfilial! Since ancient times, what woman has ever sought separation just because her husband took a concubine?
Shen Ruoxi is the first, and she shows no regard for the Shen family’s reputation!"
"Old Loyalty Marquis sacrificed himself heroically for the nation. If he knew his daughter behaved like this, he wouldn’t rest in peace!"
However, some people held different views.
"Didn’t the decree for that separation come directly from His Majesty? Furthermore, he conferred her the title of Marquis. Isn’t this clearly Xiao Family’s fault?"
"What do you know? His Majesty issued a decree for her to separate from General Xiao. There must be a plot."
"What plot?" someone curiously inquired.
"You’re all too naive. Even before she was married, rumors about her and His Majesty were rampant, their relationship ambiguous.
Now she’s resolutely separated from General Xiao, ignoring her reputation. Isn’t it obvious she’s pining for His Majesty?"
The crowd was stunned by this piece of gossip, and someone cautiously reminded, "Watch your words!"
This was playing with fire, even daring to talk about His Majesty, but the gossipmonger didn’t seem to mind, "It’s no longer a secret; Shen Ruoxi is bound to enter the palace."