Old Master Tao and the others, upon seeing the medicinal powder, quickly retreated, their eyes filled with hatred as they stared at Tao Lengshuang.
"Did you think you could escape?"
Tao Lengshuang clapped her hands, shielding Xiao Feng in her arms, a cold smile playing on her lips as she looked at Old Master Tao and the others.
Old Master Tao didn't understand these things, believing that if they dodged, they would be fine.
However...
"Hahaha~~ I can't stop laughing, hahaha~~ Someone, someone save me?"
"It's not... hahaha, it's not my fault, little sister, it, it was father's idea. Father wanted to sell this house, but no one was willing to buy it. Everyone was afraid of getting into trouble, so, so father, father brought us, we came to smash the house."
"You wretch, give me the antidote, the antidote!"
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang understood why Old Master Tao had brought people to smash the house. It turned out no one was willing to buy it.
This was not surprising.
A brief inquiry would reveal the troubles associated with this house. Even those who were greedy for a bargain wouldn't buy it, and besides, the deed was in her possession. Without her consent, the house could not be transferred.
"I don't mind telling you, if you dare to smash the walls, I will deal with you using various medicinal powders."
Her eyes were filled with piercing coldness, her tone drawn out: "This time it's laughing powder, next time it's itching powder, and the time after that it's muscle-cramping powder... I have plenty of medicinal powders, and you're welcome to try them one by one."
Old Master Tao and the others listened with pounding hearts, looking at her as if she were a demon, fearing she would deal with them using her various powders.
Yet, they were unwilling to give up such a good house, and to part with Tao Lengshuang, who could provide them with countless meats and good things.
"You, you dare!"
Old Master Tao threatened, still laughing, "I, I'll tell you, if you really anger me, I'll report you to the county yamen in town."
Tao Lengshuang impatiently picked at her ear, "You've said that countless times."
"Since it's still early, hurry and report me to the county yamen in town. Oh, right, I must remind you, be careful that the county magistrate doesn't uncover the illegal activities of the Luo family and find out you're all involved.
At that time, will you be exiled, or beheaded?"
These words stunned Old Master Tao and the others. They were terrified that the county magistrate would investigate them. They had personally witnessed the Luo family of three being forcibly taken away by the constables that day.
"Get lost." Tao Lengshuang locked the door and no longer paid attention to Old Master Tao and the others, leading Xiao Feng away by the hand.
Old Master Tao and the others, as if driven mad, continued to laugh uncontrollably, unable to do anything. Even returning to the dilapidated house they were temporarily staying in, they went back laughing.
This dilapidated house had been vacant for many years in the village. It could barely shelter them from wind and rain, and it was a mess inside. Yet, no one bothered to clean it. Furthermore, each family only cared for their own affairs, and no one was willing to look after Old Master Tao and his wife.
...
Tao Lengshuang and Xiao Feng went into the mountains, searching for useful items while picking firewood. They chatted occasionally, or Tao Lengshuang would teach Xiao Feng to identify medicinal herbs.
"Mother, you've gotten thinner," Xiao Feng suddenly said.
Tao Lengshuang subconsciously looked at herself and asked with a smile, "Xiao Feng, has Mother really gotten thinner?"
Xiao Feng nodded vigorously, gesturing with his hands, "From my perspective, Mother has lost quite a bit of weight. She doesn't block my line of sight as much as before."
Tao Lengshuang's mouth twitched. Her son's description was truly extraordinary.
"Then Mother needs to work harder on slimming down, striving to become a great beauty soon."
She herself had noticed that she had lost a lot of weight, especially around her stomach, which had shrunk considerably.
Xiao Feng looked a bit conflicted, "Mother, being a little plump is good. It's a kind of fortune that everyone envies."
Tao Lengshuang was amused and exasperated. She patted his head, "Mother is too fat, it's not good for my health, I need to lose weight."
She also took the opportunity to explain to Xiao Feng about the diseases that could be caused by being too fat.
Xiao Feng's eyes widened as if a new door had been opened, and he nodded repeatedly in surprise. So, being fat wasn't necessarily good; it could lead to many illnesses.
Seeing his interest, Tao Lengshuang continued to talk to him about related medical knowledge.
Just then, a 'bang' sound echoed, capturing the attention of the mother and son.
"Mother, it sounds like swords clashing," Xiao Feng said.
Xiao Feng's words caused Tao Lengshuang's expression to darken. She immediately shielded him in her arms and prepared to go down the mountain.
However, two masked figures appeared before the mother and son.
Without a word, the two masked figures drew their swords and charged forward.
Tao Lengshuang's face changed. She raised her hand and threw a handful of colorful medicinal powder, simultaneously shielding Xiao Feng and retreating.
Where did these masked figures come from? Were they related to her, or to Mo Lingxi?
Upon seeing the medicinal powder, the two masked figures decisively retreated.
But it was too late.
The moment they inhaled it, the two felt a piercing pain all over their bodies.
Especially their throats, which burned and itched uncontrollably, causing them to scratch until they bled, yet they couldn't stop.
The two spat out blood and fell to the ground, writhing uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Tao Lengshuang picked up Xiao Feng, grabbed her belongings, and quickly ran down the mountain.
However, she heard continuous 'bang bang bang' sounds, which made her heart clench intermittently and her speed increase.
Who was helping her and her son?
Without time to think, all she wanted now was to bring Xiao Feng home safely.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before her, causing Tao Lengshuang to brake abruptly.
"Mo Lingxi!"
Never before had she felt such a sense of relief and security seeing Mo Lingxi.
Mo Lingxi shielded Tao Lengshuang and her son behind him, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with cold indifference. "Let's go."
While protecting the mother and son, he kept a close watch on the surrounding situation.
Tao Lengshuang pursed her lips, carefully shielding Xiao Feng, and was escorted back home by Mo Lingxi.
Upon returning home, she felt a little more at ease, and her body felt weak.
"Xiao Feng, please stay on the kang obediently, okay?" She was worried about leaving Xiao Feng alone in the house and placed him on the kang.
Xiao Feng nodded obediently and sat quietly on the kang.
Tao Lengshuang patted his head and sat beside him to recover.
After recovering, she asked Mo Lingxi how he had appeared so promptly and what those people were about.
Mo Lingxi had been in the village, so as soon as he received the news, he had rushed to the mountains.
As for who those people were, it was difficult to say for now; he would have to investigate.
Tao Lengshuang frowned, a sense of danger arising in her heart. This incident, whether aimed at her or Mo Lingxi, indicated that she was in trouble and danger.
For her and Xiao Feng's future happiness, she needed to find a way to resolve the current situation.
But the problem was, she didn't know who was plotting against her, nor how to find out who it was.
If she could find out who was behind it, perhaps there would be a solution.
"Be careful when you're out and about."
Mo Lingxi's warning surprised Tao Lengshuang, but she immediately checked the size of her spatial medicinal garden.
As expected, two more plots of medicinal herbs had appeared in her spatial garden.
"Brother, big brother!"