Xu Ming has been feeling very unlucky lately.
Governor Wang blamed Wang Shen for becoming a eunuch, making things difficult for him at every turn and subjecting him to suppression in officialdom.
Even his former colleagues, who were usually on good terms with him, dared not speak to him anymore.
The area in front of the Xu residence was rather desolate.
"Ming'er, I have found out the cause of the fire a few days ago." Old Madam Xu sat on the soft couch and took a sip of tea slowly.
Then she continued, "It turns out that your wife wanted Chu Xinxin to be buried with Xu Ting, but that girl had a relapse and ran out. She didn't burn anyone, but she saw the living Chu Xinxin and was so frightened that she had a stroke."
Xu Ming frowned after hearing this.
Madam Xu: "What's wrong?"
"Mother, don't you feel like she's involved in everything?"
On the day of the birthday banquet, Xu Ting intended to set a trap for Chu Xinxin, but Chu Xinxin avoided it and even turned the tables on Xu Ting.
The bandits at Qingshan Temple were also after her.
There was also a fire in the yard...
Madam Xu's expression changed slightly: "You suspect her..."
"Hmm." After thinking it over, Xu Ming decided to send Chu Xinxin to the estate.
Madam Xu glanced at Xu Ming a few times, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.
"Mother, you don't agree?"
"No." Old Madam Xu looked at Xu Ming carefully for a few moments. "Is that girl your daughter?"
Xu Ming rubbed his forehead: "Mother, what are you saying? I already told you it was an old friend who asked me to do this."
"If not, why give away the estate?"
Xu Ming and Madam Xu exchanged a glance and instantly understood.
Xu Ting could even kill her own daughter, so why would she kill a complete stranger, a girl her family had long considered dead?
A flicker of hesitation crossed Xu Ming's eyes, but it was ultimately replaced by a ruthless glint: "Alright, I'll make the arrangements."
......
Sister, guess what kind of death Xu Ming has planned for you?
The system returned from its investigation and asked Chu Xinxin with a grin.
Chu Xinxin: "Poisoning, hanging with a white silk ribbon, robbery and murder, drowning in a pond—these are the few methods that wealthy families resort to."
That's not right.
The system is being very secretive and won't say anything.
Chu Xinxin didn't ask.
After a while, the system couldn't help but confess: "It's burning at the stake."
Um?
The Xu family is truly vicious; they not only kill people, but also destroy their spirits.
Chu Xinxin was terrified of fire more than anything, and they deliberately chose the very thing she feared most: a slow, raging fire that wouldn't even give her a quick end.
The moment the system finished speaking, the courtyard gate was kicked open.
"You wicked Chu Xinxin! My Xu family has raised you for so many years, yet you repay kindness with enmity and practice harmful witchcraft!"
Several old women filed in and tied Chu Xinxin up tightly, taking her to the main hall.
Xu Ming threw several witchcraft dolls in front of Chu Xinxin: "These were found in your original room. What else do you have to say?"
The witchcraft doll had the names and birth dates of Xu Ming, Old Madam Xu, Madam Xu, and Xu Ting written on it.
Chu Xinxin struggled: "I didn't, Uncle, I didn't, Aunt, I'm innocent!"
No matter how much she struggled or denied it, she was eventually tied to the tall firewood rack.
The pungent smell of kerosene was splashed around, and a guard held a torch, waiting for Xu Ming's order to throw it in.
"After all these years of raising it, do you have any last words? Speak up."
Madam Xu pretended to be reluctant, and the maids and servants around her had no choice but to flatter her for her kind heart.
Chu Xinxin started laughing as she watched.
"Witch, what are you laughing at!"
Xu Ming was filled with anger.
"I laugh at you for writing your real names and birth dates on those dolls in order to frame me." Suddenly, the ropes binding Chu Xinxin broke.
She rubbed her hands, a sly look on her face: "Let me tell you a secret, I'm a real enchantress."
The dolls that were originally thrown on the ground suddenly stood up.
It even floated into the air, its ugly face grinning at Xu Ming and the others.
Dark circles under the eyes, bright red lips, and eyes and nose that were stitched up crookedly—it was as terrifying as could be.
"Ahhh!"
The Xu family members were terrified and ran away in panic, only Xu Ming managed to maintain his composure: "Guards! Guards! Kill this witch!"
No one answered him.
Xu Ming snatched the torch and threw it onto the dry branches that had been doused with kerosene.
The flames leaped high, which reassured the Xu family members considerably.
But the next moment, Chu Xinxin emerged from the fire, her ugly scars making her look even more terrifying.
"Oh, I already told you I'm a witch."
Chu Xinxin's long skirt trailed on the ground, and her steps were light, making it seem as if she floated down.
Chu Xinxin said, "A vixen like that naturally needs hundreds or even thousands of men with strong yang energy to subdue her!"
"Ahhh! Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer!"
Xu Ming panicked and turned to run.
Run? Where can you run?
They couldn't even get out of the courtyard.
The witchcraft dolls blocked the doorway.
Footsteps began to sound behind him, and Xu Ming felt a sense of despair.
Is this the Xu residence?
A shout came from outside the door, and the voodoo doll that was floating in mid-air disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The footsteps behind them stopped.
The surrounding area returned to normal.
Xu Ming looked up and saw a refined young man dressed in brocade standing in front of him.
"My name is Qi Yi. May I ask if you are Lord Xu Ming?"
Qi Yi, that name sounds familiar.
Xu Ming thought for a long time before he remembered that this was Qi Yi, the Minister of Revenue, who was currently very popular in the capital and a rising star in the emperor's eyes.
"This humble official greets you..."
Where is Chu Xinxin?
Upon hearing the name, Xu Ming trembled instantly, then, seeing the tall, burly guards behind Qi Yi, his eyes lit up with hope: "My lord, my lord, come with me quickly! That vixen is in the courtyard!"
Xu Ming was so overjoyed that he didn't see Qi Yi's face suddenly darken.
As the group stepped into the courtyard, Qi Yiyi immediately spotted Chu Xinxin, who was tied to a wooden frame.
Chu Xinxin's hair was disheveled and her clothes were covered in stains, clearly indicating that she had been severely bullied.
"Lord Qi, this is that witch... Why did she tie herself up again?"
Xu Ming was dumbfounded.
Qi Yi roared in anger: "Get out of my way!"
Xu Ming was kicked aside, and Qi Yi personally put Chu Xinxin down: "Xinxin, you've suffered!"
"Lord Qi, don't be fooled by her! She... she's a witch!"
Qi Yi: "So, you want to burn her to death?"
Xu Ming wanted to answer, but when he saw Qi Yi's expression, he couldn't say anything more.
Behind Qi Yi, Chu Xinxin winked at Xu Ming, grinned, and revealed a smile that could be described as terrifying.
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