Zhou Xun didn't bother packing anything and hurriedly got into the carriage to leave.
And others followed suit.
The yamen runners of Fukang County did not stop them; they simply watched the group escape with amusement.
Because they knew that the soldiers at the city gate would not let them leave Fukang County.
Su Muxi was naturally aware of this as well. If Jia Ren were to control all these people, then Jia Ren would no longer have any reservations about her and Qiao Ziming's identities.
At that point, it will be a fight to the death, dragging innocent people down with it.
These people couldn't have been poisoned for no reason, so someone must have poisoned the eight people.
Jia Ren is not here now, could it be one of the remaining officials?
Suddenly, Su Muxi caught a glimpse of Liang Juan standing in the crowd out of the corner of her eye.
Everyone else was preparing to flee, but Liang Juan stood motionless in the crowd, which made Su Muxi glance at her a few more times.
Upon closer inspection, Su Muxi immediately noticed something was amiss.
Liang Juan's clothes were stained with dirt at the hem, and her shoes were even dirtier.
So it was Liang Juan who poisoned those people!
"McQueen, have someone stop these people."
After giving her instructions, Su Muxi turned to Qiao Ziming and said, "Qiao Ziming, bring Liang Juan to me!"
Qiao Ziming didn't understand why Su Muxi wanted him to capture Liang Juan. Seeing that Su Muxi's expression was not good, he could only do as he was told. However, he did not do it himself, but instead turned to instruct the guards beside him.
McQueen delegated the task of stopping people to others, while he stayed by Su Muxi's side the entire time, not daring to let his guard down for even a moment.
Those who came from Jinzhou City dared not move an inch when they saw the guards blocking their way, each wielding a steel knife and exuding a murderous aura.
Zhou Xun turned to look at Su Muxi and said hatefully, "Su Muxi! What do you mean by this? Are you trying to make us pay with our lives?!"
"Have you forgotten what Magistrate Jia said before you entered the city? He said he would not open the city gates unless he died, so you can't get out!"
Rather than being imprisoned by the guards of Fukang County at the city gate, wouldn't it be better to stay here and see how I explain things to you? Isn't that better?
As Su Muxi was speaking, Liang Juan had already been arrested by Qiao Ziming's guards.
"What are you doing?! Why are you arresting me?! Young Master Tao, please save me!"
Liang Juan struggled.
Tao Rong frowned upon seeing this and could only ask Su Muxi why she wanted to arrest Liang Juan, since Liang Juan was now considered his person no matter what.
"Your Highness, what does this mean?"
Su Muxi raised her voice and pointed at Liang Juan, saying, "I told you, as long as you do as I say, you will not contract the plague. As for the eight people who just got sick, they were all harmed by this vile maid! This vile maid secretly added water from the water vat to their drinking water!"
Liang Juan hurriedly shook her head, "I didn't! You're talking nonsense!"
"Gentlemen, you must believe me, I didn't!"
Liang Juan looked aggrieved, as if she had truly been wronged.
On his way to Fukang County, Zhou Xun had received care from Liang Juan, and couldn't help but stand up for her, saying, "Su Muxi, don't try to shirk responsibility by falsely accusing an innocent person! Miss Liang is gentle and kind; how could she possibly do such a harmful thing?!"
Liang Juan's face was covered in tears, but she didn't look disheveled at all; on the contrary, it made her look even more pitiful.
Liang Juan bit her lower lip, a look of hesitation on her face. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she said, "Your Highness, I know you have disliked me all the way, which is why you drove me away from the Crown Prince."
But I am just an orphan and pose no threat to you whatsoever. Even if the prince favors me, it is out of pity for me.
Now that I have left the Crown Prince's side, why are you treating me like this? Do you really have to drive me to my death?!
Liang Juan's few simple words revealed the ambiguous relationship between Qiao Ziming and Su Muxi.
This made Qiao Ziming blush slightly, and he quickly scolded Liang Juan, "What nonsense are you spouting?! It was I, the young master, who drove you away. What does it have to do with the Princess Consort of Yong'an!"
Su Muxi looked at Liang Juan and sneered inwardly.
It's true what they say: it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.
This Liang Juan, whom she had never taken seriously, almost ruined all her plans.
"I remember your name is Liang Juan, right? You said that I drove you away from the side of the Marquis of Anyang because I disliked you. Then tell me, why did I dislike you, and what reason did I have to drive you away from the Marquis of Anyang?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Juan blinked her teary eyes and said, "Isn't that because the Princess Consort saw how much the Prince doted on me and was afraid that he would become so engrossed in his love that he would neglect his duties?"
The answer, which avoids the main point, contains no real problems, yet it still leaves much to the imagination.
Qiao Ziming didn't know how to explain. He couldn't very well reveal the lies Liang Juan had told him before. Feeling frustrated, he couldn't help but glance at Su Muxi several times.
This action, however, made everyone even more suspicious that there was something between Qiao Ziming and Su Muxi.
Su Muxi didn't continue the topic, but asked directly, "So you added contaminated water to those people's drinking water for this absurd reason? Just to make me, the princess, lose credibility with everyone, is that it?"
Hearing the commotion, the constables in the distance couldn't help but come over. Seeing Su Muxi speaking ill of Liang Juan like that, they immediately became furious.
One of them threw the bucket of excrement he was carrying at Su Muxi. Even though Mai Kun blocked it in time, Su Muxi's dress was still stained with some dirt.
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