As the voice fell, a long snake with black and red patterns, as thick as an arm, suddenly sprang out from nowhere.
In the midst of everyone’s shocked cries, with a crunch, the snake directly bit off Qiu Shi’s arm and swallowed it whole.
Qiu Shi screamed miserably, his face instantly turning greenish-purple and black, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The rain fell heavier and heavier.
Lying on the ground, Qiu Shi’s face was pitch-black and purple, convulsing for a while before becoming utterly still.
The long snake coiled in front of Qiu Shi, flicking its crimson tongue and its lantern-sized eyes glaring at the screaming and terrified crowd.
"Ssss, ssss, ssss!!!"
The poisonous snake hissed as it coiled.
The crowd that had just been standing by to watch was now screaming in terror, either collapsing on the spot or running away without a trace.
The overcast sky, shrouded in dense clouds, left Su Yan drenched as she stood there with her head hung low.
The body of Qiu Shi happened to lie at her feet, with the long snake hissing and coiling in front of her.
After a long while, she lifted her arm slightly.
With an expressionless face, she rubbed her temples.
Her head buzzed, overwhelmed by the rising irritability that threatened to burst forth and consume her.
She walked ahead, her feet stepping over the bloodstains on the ground, never glancing back at the corpse again.
The black and red patterned snake meandered, following close by Su Yan’s feet, matching her every step.
Until turning a corner, both the person and the snake disappeared at the end of the long corridor.
An hour later, the Third Prince returned, clad in white clothes, draped in a soft fur shawl, gracefully holding a paper umbrella as if he were a beautiful painting come to life.
By Xuanyuan Yonghao’s side, the Eldest Prince, Xuanyuan Yonglin, had also arrived.
Xuanyuan Yonglin had a square face and wore a Qilin yellow robe, appearing steadfast and imposing.
Yet, standing together, they hardly looked like brothers.
If there were any similarities, it would perhaps be in their eyes and eyebrows.
As they entered, panicked and speculative voices came from inside.
Amidst the rain, maids gathered into a circle in the courtyard, unconcerned about getting wet, discussing amongst themselves.
Xuanyuan Yonglin’s voice was slightly rough, his words loaded with meaning,
"Third Prince, are the servants in your mansion always this undisciplined?"
Xuanyuan Yonghao cast a glance over the group.
At this moment, the Nanny in charge hurried over, her expression somewhat grave,
"Your Highness, Qiu Shi... is dead."
Xuanyuan Yonghao’s eyelids flickered subtly, and upon his return, the palace maids, who had been circling the body, hastily made way and bowed in unison,
"We welcome Your Highness the Eldest Prince, Third Prince."
A body with a complexion so purplish-black that it was unrecognizable lay there, striking fear into onlookers.
It seemed that Xuanyuan Yonglin had not expected to see such a corpse, and he jumped in fright at the sight.
Fortunately, nothing showed on his face.
Nantang asked with a cold and hard expression, questioning the Nanny,
"What happened here?"
"Half an hour earlier, the servant Su Yan had an argument with Qiu Shi. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a poisonous snake appeared and bit off Qiu Shi’s arm. The snake was highly venomous, and following the bite, Qiu Shi fell to the ground and died from the poison."
Xuanyuan Yonghao fell silent for a moment before speaking,
"Where is she now?"
The Nanny paused, then replied,
"After the death of Qiu Shi, we all panicked, and during this past half an hour, we have seen no sign of Su Yan."
Xuanyuan Yonghao turned his head and ordered,
"Nantang, go search for her."
"Yes!"
Next to them, Xuanyuan Yonglin, who had been silent until now, had a glint in his eye and spoke in an inscrutable tone,