Chapter 157 Adding Arsenic to the Xiao Family's Grain

Wang's words immediately drew contempt and condemnation from the crowd.

"Madam Yun, a person cannot be without a conscience. The Xiao family saved us all by fighting off the wolves; they are our saviors. How could you report them? Have you lost all your conscience?"

Wang retorted with a cold laugh, "Our whole family ran up the mountain. The wolves couldn't hurt us. What kind of savior are you?"

When Yun Jiaoyue overheard Xiao Xuance's conversation with the escort, she didn't believe there were wolves, but the Third Prince did. She felt a little uncomfortable, thinking that the Upper Prince believed Yun Zhaoxue. Her jealousy was boiling over, so she went to complain to Wang Shi.

Only then did Wang realize that it was the Xiao family who knew about the wolves.

The Yun family didn't believe it at the time, but luckily they didn't go down the mountain on the other side and ran to the other side, so the whole family was safe and sound.

"The Xiao family knew about the wolves long ago, but they didn't tell us. They took precautions by climbing trees themselves, and then jumped out to save you when you were in danger, acting as your saviors so that you would be grateful to them."

Everyone was speechless. The Xiao family knew about the wolves all along, so why didn't they tell them sooner?

Those who had lost loved ones stared at the Xiao family with hateful eyes.

Yun Zhaoxue asked them, "We told the escorts, but they didn't believe us and swore there were no wolves. Do you think you'll believe us if we tell you?"

You're stupid, you're being led by the nose, and you dare to blame them?

"And you, you knew there might be wolves, why didn't you tell them? You only cared about running away?"

"I... who knew there really were wolves?"

"If you don't believe me, it's pointless to talk to you. Besides, we have no obligation to save you! Given your attitude, next time you encounter bandits or any of those 'talented tigers and leopards,' you're on your own. Don't come running to our group."

If someone holds a grudge against the Xiao family after a few words of provocation from the Wang family, then such a person is not worth getting close to. They are perfectly capable of being self-reliant and do not need to win anyone over. On the contrary, they are the ones begging for the Xiao family's protection.

The others were horrified when they heard this.

"No, no, Prince Xiao, Princess Zhaoxue, we will never forget your life-saving grace. We dare not blame you. You saved us, please accept our bow." With that, they all bowed to them in gratitude.

Some people even scolded Madam Wang: "Madam Yun, don't even think about sowing discord between us. We have our own thoughts and judgments, and we will never be led by the nose by you."

"That's right, we're not that stupid. The Yun family and the Xiao family have a grudge. You want us to hate the Xiao family? You're like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. You poisonous woman!"

“You wicked woman, you had an affair with the steward and gave birth to an illegitimate child. You are unfaithful and promiscuous. If I were you, I would either find a hole to hide in or drown myself.”

"Shut up! All of you shut up! My father was a protégé of the former prime minister, and Prime Minister Qin is also his protégé and my brother-in-law. If you offend me, don't even think about returning to the capital."

Wang's threat worked; everyone fell silent, not daring to say another word.

She saw a guard not far away and excitedly waved to him, "Guard, guard, someone has escaped! Quickly arrest their family and whip them!"

"Smack!—"

Before the clerk arrived, his whip came first.

Zhao Jiu was counting heads when he heard someone had escaped. He walked over and asked, "Who escaped?"

Wang replied loudly, "It is Xiao Xiuning, the fourth young lady of the Xiao family."

Xiao Mingshu stepped forward and said, "I am the fourth young lady of the Xiao family. Xiao Xiuning belongs to the third branch of the family and has nothing to do with our first branch."

Uncle Xiao and his wife immediately jumped out and said, "No, no, no, officer, she has nothing to do with us. Although the two families' children were switched at birth, Xiao Mingshu is registered under my name, while Xiao Xiuning belongs to the eldest branch of the family. They should be punished."

“Whether he is from the first or third branch of the family, since your Xiao family did not register with the government after splitting up, you are still one family. Arrest them all.”

"Ning'er, she's a young girl, there's no recording, where did she run off to? She might have gotten lost, officer, could you send someone to look for her?"

Yun Zhaoxue didn't participate in the argument; she was busy with her own things, grabbing a handful of poisoned rice and feeding it to a half-dead wolf.

A moment later, it began to whimper in pain, and saliva mixed with blood gushed from its mouth and nose, "cough cough cough..."

It struggled painfully, trying to stand up, but before it could, it fell heavily to the ground again, its limbs convulsing violently, kicking and thrashing the soil, digging a shallow pit.

Its eerie green eyes bulged like copper bells, its gaze gradually becoming unfocused. Finally, its eyes widened to their very core, and more and more blood flowed from its mouth and nose, pooling on the ground. Soon, its limbs stopped trembling, and it stopped breathing.

"Poison! It's poisonous! This is arsenic!"

"Who the hell is so despicable as to put arsenic in someone's food?"

The crowd gasped and screamed, "Ahhh!!!"

Someone was eating and was so frightened that they threw their food away. Could their food have been poisoned too?

He frantically shoved the food into his mouth, yelling, "Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!!!"

I can't spit anything out. Damn it, this darn mouth of mine, it eats everything without leaving a trace.

Someone braced themselves on the ground with both hands, did a half somersault, and put their legs on the tree, trying to pour out the cornbread.

The Yang family exclaimed in shock, "Who did this? What grudge could they have that would lead them to poison our entire family with arsenic?"

Xiao Xuance said, "Mother should already know the answer in her heart."

At first, Madam Yang didn't have anyone in mind, but after his reminder, she suddenly thought of someone. "You mean Ning'er? No! That's impossible! She has no grudge against me, so why would she want to poison us? She has sincerely repented and wants to go with us."

At this moment, Lao Liao walked over. After understanding the situation, his brows furrowed so deeply they could kill a mosquito. His gaze swept over Xiao Xuance, "Where did she go?"

Saving a life is one thing, but harboring a relative who has become a fugitive is another. If this precedent is set and others follow suit, this team will become uncontrollable.

Xiao Xuance said, "Master Liao, please allow me to go and find the person. If I cannot find the person, then you can do whatever you want with me."

After thinking for a while, Lao Liao finally nodded in agreement. "Ajiu, you go with him. Whether you find the person or not, you must be back before dawn."

"Can!"

Xiao Xuance went to fetch the carriage, and Zhao Jiu sat down.

They veered off course and headed back towards Jincheng in the carriage.

Yun Zhaoxue caught up with them, lightly leaped onto the carriage shaft, and said, "I'll go too."

Xiao Xuance was startled when she jumped on, quickly grabbing her with one hand and tightening the reins with the other, stopping the carriage. "Whoa!"

"The journey has been bumpy, and you're not feeling well. Why don't you stay and rest? I'll be right back."

"The smell of blood here is too strong, it makes me want to vomit. I'm going to take a stroll along the way. I've already spoken to Mr. Liao, and he agreed."

Zhao Jiu's eyes lit up when he saw the beauty and he said with a smile, "If Princess Zhaoxue wants to go, let her go. The more people there are, the more company she'll have."

Yun Zhaoxue smiled slightly, "This escort is right, otherwise it would be so boring with just the two of you."

Xiao Xuance noticed the interaction between the two, and a shadow crossed his eyes.

"It's windy outside, let's go inside and talk."

Xiao Xuance handed the reins to Zhao Jiu and then led Yun Zhaoxue into the carriage. "Thank you!"

Zhao Jiu looked at the reins in his hand and opened his mouth, "I..."

He was the escort officer, and the prisoner was making the escort officer drive the carriage. Is there no justice in this world?

Fine, considering Princess Zhaoxue smiled at him just now, let's just go ahead and get on the carriage.