Chu Huaixu nodded: "He's a bit smarter than that Xiao Wu. Since you've guessed it, tell me what I want to know, don't make me ask your parents."
"If I ask him, he'll still tell me even if he's unwilling, you should know that, right?"
Qi Zhou: "I know."
"Fine, then you can choose for yourself. Will you tell me on your own initiative, or will I have to interrogate your parents?"
Although Qi Zhou was taciturn, he was not stupid. Upon hearing this, he made his choice almost without much consideration and honestly said, "It was four years ago."
"Tell me more about it," Chu Huaixu said with great interest.
"Four years ago in May, the Dark Buddhist Hall was completed, and since then the adults have never touched meat."
So that's how it is.
The smile on Chu Huaixu's face faded, and his expression became almost gloomy. If he didn't speak, Qi Zhou certainly wouldn't say anything either. For a moment, no one in the room spoke, except for the spoon in Huaixu's hand gently tapping against the side of the bowl.
After a long pause, Chu Huaixu sneered, "Pretentious."
Qi Zhou frowned.
"What, do you have something to say?" Chu Huaixu felt as if a stone was stuck in his chest, preventing him from releasing the emotions within him, pressing down on him and squeezing him. "Feeling wronged on behalf of your master?"
"The master cares about you very much."
"What kind of concern?" A faint smile appeared on Chu Huaixu's lips, but his eyes remained cold and hard. "Is it the concern that led to the deaths of my parents and brothers, or the concern that severed my tendons and ligaments?"
"Or is it his concern that keeps me tied to his side like a canary? If that's the kind of concern he has, then I should really applaud and be grateful to tears. After all, Commander Song's concern is truly unique and unmatched."
"Throughout history, I am probably the first person to receive such an honor. However, I am just a lowly slave whose life is as worthless as grass, and I am truly unworthy of the Commander's deep affection. I am afraid I can only atone with my death."
In terms of verbal sparring, Qi Zhou was no match for Chu Huaixu, and was immediately rendered speechless. Chu Huaixu snorted, stood up, and said, "I'm going to sleep. You can leave."
...
The monks who cooked the porridge that day have been questioned many times, and no suspicious points have been found, so the possibility of poisoning the porridge can be basically ruled out.
So the incident could only have happened after they returned to the mountain after distributing the porridge. Someone secretly sneaked into Sishui Town and poisoned the families who had received the porridge.
However, to do this, one must be very familiar with their schedule for the day and clearly remember the physical characteristics of each person who comes to collect porridge.
There were so many people coming to collect porridge that day that it would have been difficult for one person to do it alone. There must have been someone manipulating all of this behind the scenes.
Is it the Red Lotus Sect?
The seven-petaled red lotus on Kongxing's arm was discovered by Song Ting by chance. The old monk did not tell him the truth, so is it possible that the old monk was originally planted by the Red Lotus Sect next to Zhang Bingzhi?
That old man always thought he was coercing Kongxing to do things, but little did he know that he had already fallen into the trap set by the other party.
From Chu Mingshu falling into the water to the exposure of her actions, everything was just a series of interconnected events, a classic case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
"What did the coroner say?" Song Ting asked Xiao Wu, who was accompanying her.
“Eight-treasure porridge was found in the stomachs of every deceased person, but the coroner could not detect what kind of poison it was.”
This is tantamount to blatantly telling everyone that everyone died from the Eight Treasure Porridge. As for whether the porridge was poisoned or cursed, that's open to interpretation and guessing.
"Several imperial physicians have also rushed over; perhaps they will find something new."
The continuous high temperatures made it difficult to preserve the body, so it had to be transported to the nearest mortuary. The coroner had already examined the cause of death, but the young emperor was still worried and sent Zhang Chongyi and a few others down the mountain to join the Imperial Guards in investigating the case. Song Tingze led his men to search for clues in the town.
Because of this incident, the town is no longer as lively as it used to be. Almost every household has its doors tightly shut. Even those who still dare to open their doors for business will avoid them as soon as they see the flying fish robes they are wearing, as if they have seen a plague god.
Besides, most of the people in the town had already died, and there were very few survivors, so the desolation was perfectly normal.
"Auntie, have any strangers appeared in town recently?" Xiao Wu quickly went up to the old lady who was selling straw sandals.
The old woman was hunched over, and when she saw Xiao Wu approaching, she didn't keep her distance like the others. Instead, she started talking to him:
“There are no strangers, only people like you. Since you arrived, the town has been in turmoil. The emperor’s throne in the palace was obtained illegitimately, and even the heavens cannot stand by and watch, so they have to punish him.”
“Young man, let me tell you, this is retribution, it is retribution… There will be more retribution, it won’t just be these people who die. The fate of the Great Yan Dynasty has run its course, and Heaven is angry…”
These words were utterly disrespectful, and Xiao Wu felt embarrassed upon hearing them, instinctively glancing at Song Ting. The latter remained expressionless, her gaze fixed intently on the old woman.
"The emperor is disloyal and unfilial; even Heaven doesn't recognize him! Prince Duan died unjustly! He died unjustly!"
That being said, ma'am, it puts me in a difficult position to say such things in front of us officials. Xiao Wu looked embarrassed.
Most importantly, of all things, this old woman had to bring up the Duan Prince's Mansion. This matter was a ticking time bomb for their master; he would turn on anyone who brought it up!
Xiao Wu swallowed hard and stole a glance at Song Ting, who indeed had an unfriendly expression.
Xiao Wu was secretly worried for the old woman. He knew that in their master's eyes, there was no distinction between the old, weak, women and children, nor did they care about right or wrong. Whoever made him unhappy would have to pay with their life.
"Disloyal and unfilial, patricide and fratricide, the fate of the Great Yan Dynasty is sealed, Prince Duan died unjustly, the Xuanjia Army died unjustly... unjustly... this is divine punishment! Divine punishment! Everyone will die!"
Suddenly, the old woman grabbed Xiao Wu's arm, tears of blood streaming down her face. Xiao Wu was startled and before he could say anything, the old woman collapsed to the ground, her eyes wide open.
"This..." While Xiao Wu was stunned, Song Ting pushed him aside, checked the old woman's breath, and said coldly, "She's dead."
Blood flowed from his eyes, nose, mouth, ears... he died from bleeding from all seven orifices.
"My lord, this..." Xiao Wu was completely dumbfounded, "Could it be that he died of anger?"
“If you have the ability, I will send you to Zhang Bingzhi’s residence and eliminate him without bloodshed,” Song said upon hearing this.
His gaze fell on Xiao Wu, with obvious sarcasm, "Your reaction speed has slowed down. Have you been living too well lately? Do you really want to go clean the latrines?"
Xiao Wu made an exaggerated expression: "My lord, you weren't like this before. Now your speaking style is becoming more and more like Young Master Huaiyue."
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