Chu Heng was speechless. He realized that Yan Xiao was trying to recruit him.

But even if she accepted the offer of amnesty, instead of offering herself good terms, she immediately said that if he died, it was his fate. What kind of move is that?

So, who else is there?

What left him even more speechless was that he was indeed somewhat tempted.

He was obsessed with poisons, and in order to understand the toxicity more accurately, he often tried it himself before preparing the antidote.

But mistakes can happen. After this brush with death, he was already considering being extremely cautious about using poison in the future, and even decided to stop personally testing poisons.

But if he had a capable person like Yanxiao as his backer, his worries would be relieved, which made him unable to resist.

As for whether Yanxiao could resolve the issue, he believed that it would never be as serious as it was this time again.

Yan Xiao wasn't in a hurry to get a reply from Chu Heng after she finished speaking. After packing her things, she continued:

"I'm not in a hurry. You don't need to give me an answer now. You can think about it some more and come back to me when you've made up your mind."

Yan Xiao finished speaking and was about to leave when Chu Heng said:

“If I stay, then my junior sister must stay as well. Moreover, we will not be servants to anyone, nor will we do anything immoral or unethical.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiao immediately stopped and turned around, smiling:

"Young Master Chu is joking. Even if I had the greatest face, I would never let someone like you become my servant."

We have an employment relationship. I will pay you your monthly wages on time, and I will treat any illnesses you have that you cannot resolve free of charge.

All you need to do is manage Yuanyi Hall for me and make things convenient for me whenever I need anything from you, just like when I went to Yanyun City this time.”

Chu Heng originally wanted to keep Su Yuanyuan by Yan Xiao's side, but he himself had never thought of keeping her.

Hearing Yan Xiao's request, he thought about it for a moment and felt it wasn't too difficult.

Besides, Yan Xiao wasn't a vicious person, so he probably wouldn't be asked to do anything heinous. Therefore, he replied:

“I can agree to the conditions you mentioned, but you cannot restrict the freedom of my fellow disciple and me. If one day we feel that we can no longer work for you, you must not prevent us from leaving.”

"OK."

Yan Xiao never intended to force the two to stay. She understood the principle that forced relationships are never sweet, so she nodded in agreement without much hesitation.

After the two reached an agreement, Yan Xiao left the room.

Su Yuanyuan had been waiting outside the door. Upon hearing the commotion, she immediately came to greet him, her face full of anticipation, but she hesitated and did not dare to ask Chu Heng about his current situation.

Yan Xiao was quite satisfied with how Su Yuanyuan had taken care of Yuanyitang while she was away.

Since she had already confirmed that this person would be working for her from now on, essentially one of her own, her attitude was naturally much more amiable and approachable.

"As expected, your senior brother's poison has been completely cured. You can go in now. He also has something to say to you."

Once Su Yuanyuan heard that her senior brother's poison had been cured and his life had been saved, she couldn't listen to anything else.

She excitedly hugged Yanxiao and jumped up and down, bursting out words of gratitude. Without waiting for Yanxiao's reply, she let go of Yanxiao and ran into the house.

Yan Xiao helplessly straightened the clothes that Su Yuanyuan had messed up, and then led Wu Jian away from the villa.

As for how Chu Heng should tell Su Yuanyuan about working for her, she didn't have time to care, nor was it her concern.

Anyway, she was certain that as long as Chu Heng stayed, Su Yuanyuan wouldn't be able to escape, which would kill two birds with one stone.

On her way back to the mansion, everything was peaceful until she was almost at the Treasure Pavilion when she suddenly heard a commotion outside, followed by the approaching city guards.

"Search them thoroughly, don't let any suspicious person escape."

Yan Xiao heard the noise and lifted the curtain of the carriage to look out, only to see squads of city guards searching house to house.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, then gestured for Wu Jian to go and inquire.

Wu Jian went after receiving the order, and returned shortly afterward, whispering:

"Reporting to Madam, the general's wife left home this morning and has not returned. The people in the manor have searched the entire city but have not been able to find her. The entire city is now under martial law."

"Oh, I see."

Yan Xiao nodded slightly. "I understand. It's none of our business. Go back."

"yes."

Yan Xiao appeared indifferent, but was actually somewhat worried inside.

She knew perfectly well that the general's wife Wu Jian mentioned was naturally the stand-in Shen Muzhi had given her.

Now that the person has disappeared, it can only mean that Qi Chengfeng and Shen Muzhi's big show has officially begun.

It's impossible not to be nervous. Although Shen Muzhi is the male protagonist of this world, the plot has changed because of his existence, and Shen Muzhi and Qi Chengfeng are no longer just paper figures in the book.

They have their own thoughts, and their behavior deviates somewhat from the book's descriptions; a slight misstep could lead to a completely different outcome.

Yanxiao doesn't lack confidence in Shen Muzhi; rather, once she puts someone in her heart, she instinctively feels anxious and worried about them.

This is why she initially wanted to divorce Shen Muzhi and didn't want to have too much emotional contact with him. Once you fall in love, you'll have entanglements, just like she is now.

However, she knew very well that she couldn't be of much help at the moment; all she could do was accumulate strength for future needs.