He swallowed back his tears, and his hatred for Shen Qingtang deepened.
Liang Wanwan was repeatedly treated coldly by Yun Qingxuan, and the resentment and bitterness in her heart almost consumed her. After thinking it over, she decided to set her sights on Lu Jiaojiao.
She deliberately visited Lu Jiaojiao frequently, each time bringing exquisite pastries and pretty trinkets.
She spoke softly and gently, and always went along with Lu Jiaojiao's wishes.
"Poor Jiaojiao, she's been ruined like this by that poisonous woman Shen Qingtang."
Liang Wanwan held Lu Jiaojiao's hand, her voice full of concern, "Sister will definitely avenge you and will never let Shen Qingtang bully you again."
She would also tell Lu Jiaojiao some "bad things" about Shen Qingtang, exaggerating how Shen Qingtang "bullied others" and how "ruthless".
Every word struck a nerve with Lu Jiaojiao's resentment.
Lu Jiaojiao already harbored deep hatred for Shen Qingtang because Shen Qingtang had turned her into a living dead.
Now he has met Liang Wanwan, who is "sincere" to him and is willing to help him take revenge.
They immediately regarded her as their only support, calling her "Sister Wanwan" repeatedly.
With a look of dependence, she said, "Sister Wanwan, you're such a good person! Only you are willing to help me. I will definitely make that wicked woman, Shen Qingtang, suffer a terrible death!"
Looking at Lu Jiaojiao's unguarded appearance, a glint of calculation and ruthlessness flashed in Liang Wanwan's eyes, so fast that it was impossible to catch it.
She smiled and patted Lu Jiaojiao's hand, continuing to soothe her gently. But secretly, she added some barely noticeable powder to Lu Jiaojiao's pastries and tea.
As the days went by, Lu Jiaojiao gradually realized that something was wrong; her body was becoming weaker and weaker.
His hands and feet, which could still move with difficulty, are now becoming increasingly weak. He finds it difficult to even stand for a while, and his spirits are becoming more and more depressed.
I often feel drowsy.
She cried to Liang Wanwan in bewilderment, but Liang Wanwan feigned surprise, then frowned and looked as if she had just realized something: "Jiaojiao, I remember now! It must be that poisonous woman Shen Qingtang! She must have used some kind of evil magic to drain your luck and vitality, which is why you are getting weaker and weaker!"
"Absorbing my luck?" Lu Jiaojiao's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief and rage. "That wicked woman! She's already done this to me, and she still won't let me go! I'm going to kill her! I must kill her!"
Liang Wanwan's words confirmed her suspicions, and she attributed all her weakness and discomfort to Shen Qingtang.
The hatred in his heart burned ever brighter, like a flame that had been ignited, and his eyes were so vicious they seemed to be spitting fire.
Looking at her, who was blinded by hatred, Liang Wanwan smiled slyly, her scheming eyes becoming increasingly obvious.
Yet she continued to comfort her gently, constantly fanning the flames, turning Lu Jiaojiao into a pawn in the fight against Shen Qingtang.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingtang's businesses flourished in the capital and surrounding areas.
Milk tea shops, barbecue restaurants, Jinxiuge (a type of traditional Chinese restaurant) and other shops have opened one after another, and they have even expanded into fields such as grain processing and iron forging.
Not only did they make a fortune, but they also won the hearts of the people, who spoke highly of Shen Qingtang. Meanwhile, Shen Qingtang and Pei Wuwang's power was quietly growing, with more and more people being secretly cultivated, and their foundation becoming increasingly solid.
As Shen Qingtang and Pei Wuwang's power grew, the Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince felt increasingly uneasy and wary.
They already harbored hostility towards the two, and now seeing them thriving, they couldn't sit still any longer.
They simply wrote a joint letter to the emperor, falsely accusing Shen Qingtang and Pei Wuwang of plotting a rebellion.
They claimed that the two were secretly hoarding supplies, training private soldiers, colluding with merchants, and winning over the hearts of the people, clearly intending to overthrow the imperial power and establish themselves as kings.
The emperor already harbored suspicions about Shen Qingtang, a woman of "unknown origin" but with outstanding abilities.
With the added fuel to the fire by the Second Prince and others, the Emperor was furious. Although he did not immediately order the arrest of the two, he secretly sent people to monitor them, and the situation became tense for a time.
Faced with the royal family's suspicion and threats, Pei Wuwang no longer hesitated and decided to take the initiative to prepare for war.
He pulled Shen Qingtang into a secret room, his eyes solemn yet brimming with confidence, and revealed the secrets he had kept hidden for many years: "Qingtang, I have actually been secretly training an elite force. Although the number of soldiers is not large, each one is worth ten, and they are well-equipped. They are currently stationed in a hidden outpost on the outskirts of the city. Over the years, through trade, I have stockpiled a large amount of grain, medicine, and weapons, enough to sustain a long-term war."
He paused, then continued, "I have also planted many spies in various places, and the royal family's every move is under my control. If the Second Prince and his group want to falsely accuse us of treason, then we might as well be fully prepared. If they really dare to make a move, we will no longer tolerate it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtang felt much more at ease. She looked into Pei Wuwang's determined eyes.
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