The oil lamp inside the room was blown out, plunging the room into darkness.

A heavy feeling of fatigue immediately washed over me, and soon the room was filled with soft snoring.

Jiang Chan sat on the haystack in the corner, wide awake.

The darkness amplified our hearing and our unease.

She scanned the women in the room in the darkness.

Tell them?

no.

They were too tired. What could they do besides be afraid and tremble?

If the village chief can maintain composure and the men stay calm, the people of Wengjia Village will not dare to make a move easily.

The time before dawn is crucial.

We can't rely on anyone else.

She has to act on her own!

Go investigate!

Go and confirm!

Jiang Chan quietly walked to the door, preparing to open it and slip out.

Squeak—

The door was only opened a crack!

Outside in the courtyard, Sister Zhang and the two women carrying buckets hadn't gone far.

"What are you doing?!" Aunt Zhang's voice rang out immediately, staring at Jiang Chan at the door. "Didn't I tell you not to run around at night! Who can take responsibility for offending the mountain god?! Go back to bed!"

Jiang Chan's heart tightened, and her mind raced.

She immediately bent over, clutching her stomach, a pained expression on her face, her voice filled with rapid, panting breaths:

"Oh dear... Aunt Zhang... I... my stomach hurts terribly! I can't hold it in anymore! I need to go to the outhouse! I really... I really can't hold it in!"

A woman who was still asleep was awakened by the noise.

Aunt Zhao sat up and asked with concern, "Jiang girl? What's wrong?"

When Sister Zhang heard that Jiang Chan was going to the outhouse again, her face instantly fell, and her impatience and disgust surged up without any attempt to hide it.

She was too lazy to maintain that kind mask any longer, and spat out a vicious spit:

"Pah! Lazy oxen and lazy horses, always pooping and peeing! Why don't they go earlier or later? They just waste time!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking up the confused women.

Aunt Zhao was stunned, staring incredulously at Sister Zhang's fierce expression outside.

The person who was so kind to offer water just a moment ago, how come they started hurling such nasty insults?

The other awake women looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

That change of expression... was too fast!

Jiang Chan sneered inwardly, but on her face she appeared even more pained, clutching her stomach and hopping around slightly, "Ouch... Auntie... I really can't take it anymore... I'm going to poop in my pants." She acted very convincingly.

Looking at Jiang Chan's "impatient" appearance, and remembering that she had indeed drunk the spiked water, Sister Zhang figured that Jiang Chan wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

She waved her hand impatiently, like shooing away flies, "Go and come back quickly! Don't dawdle! Behave yourself and don't run around!"

Jiang Chan responded repeatedly, "Okay! Okay! Okay!" She ran as she spoke, her steps quick.