The drug was colorless and tasteless, making it easy to fall victim to. They naturally had the antidote. Initially, Zhang Changhe was unsure if the plan would succeed and feared harming innocents, so he hadn't used an incurable poison. Unexpectedly, the plan went very smoothly. The county magistrate, spurred by his taunts, couldn't back down and took a small sip to save face. That one sip was enough. If their predictions were correct, he should now be in a state of mental distress, writhing on the ground in pain.
Madam Zhu saw that the other party wasn't engaging with her at all. Coupled with their years of acquaintance, she didn't want to deal with her. If not for the county magistrate's wife's orders, she would never have set foot in her home. However, with people monitoring outside, she feigned anger and said, "Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me if you'll give it or not."
"Your words are too amusing. We don't even understand what you want. We are honest people, living here decently, never having done anything out of line. We want to settle down here." No matter how the other party pressed, the couple would never admit anything.
Madam Zhu, fuming, walked out, kicking at pebbles by the roadside. Although there was an element of pretense in her actions, the thought of being watched by the county magistrate's wife's people as soon as she left the gate made her rack her brains for a solution.
She thought for a moment, then stood at the main gate and, with a hint of reluctance, shouted loudly, "Everyone, come and see! This woman was once the most sought-after courtesan in Lan City. Now that she's reformed, she actually disrespects me, her former madam! She completely ignores my instructions and doesn't care about her daughter's life or death. Is there such a mother in the world?"
Passersby had long heard of Wu Caiwei's reputation but didn't know where she lived and rarely saw her. Hearing the lady before them speak, they immediately understood her identity. Seeing a spectacle unfolding, they quickly stopped to watch.
Madam Zhu wasn't as happy as she'd imagined. If it weren't for the county magistrate's wife's orders, why would a well-bred lady from a respectable family be watched like a spectacle?
However, her sacrifice had an effect. The people sent by the county magistrate's wife heard her words, hesitated for a moment, and quickly rushed back to report the situation to their mistress. The people monitoring her were sent by the county magistrate's wife. Understanding that her husband's condition was extremely serious and couldn't be delayed, she quickly reported the situation to her mistress to see if other measures could be taken.
The county magistrate's wife stomped her foot in anger. While she didn't want to admit it, she knew her limitations. As a woman, she knew she had no chance against Wu Caiwei. Although she had long harbored resentment over her husband taking concubine after concubine, she knew he was the pillar of their family. Without him, she was nothing and would only be bullied. Her understanding was inferior to her husband's, and her methods were no match for his. Even her husband had been defeated by her; how could she possibly contend with her?
But seeing her husband writhing on the ground, clutching his head and screaming in agony, while the doctors were helpless, she knew this couldn't go on. At this moment, she felt utter despair, not knowing whom to turn to for help, nor who could cure her husband. Although she suspected the couple of being responsible, she had only heard that their martial arts were powerful, never that they could use poison.
Moreover, the doctors hadn't said anything about her husband being poisoned, only that he was mentally disturbed and had suffered a shock.
The couple knew that once the county magistrate was in trouble, people would surely be waiting outside to confront them. They decided to lay low in their courtyard for a few days. They had already instructed the guards not to let any madam, regardless of her origin, enter. They would bear the consequences themselves. But to their surprise, their stewards arrived one after another, their faces filled with panic. Wu Caiwei raised an eyebrow. Even without knowing the specifics, she could guess the general situation.
"Madam, something's wrong. Our shop was blockaded early this morning. When we tried to inquire, the other party drew their swords and threatened to see you." The elder steward looked at his madam with concern. Although he hadn't worked with her for long, he knew his madam was generous and considerate, always thinking of them. They had planned to stay with her until they retired, but so soon after, such a thing had happened. He wondered if they could get through this ordeal.
"Don't panic. It's nothing major. Go back and rest for a couple of days. You've been so busy lately, it's rare to give everyone a break." Wu Caiwei knew this was a tactic by the county magistrate's wife to force her to meet.
"There's no need to pay attention to her. She's the one begging us now. Does she think these petty tricks will force us to see her? She underestimates us. Not only is the Li family wealthy, but our own household can withstand some turmoil. The county magistrate's predicament should make her realize we are not to be trifled with. Even if she blames us for the county magistrate's death later, people move on, and a new county magistrate will soon take over." After dismissing the stewards, Zhang Changhe came to comfort her, not taking her seriously at all.
Wu Caiwei felt the same. However, not long after, someone carried the county magistrate and placed him at their doorstep. Seeing the county magistrate's wife's relentless pursuit, both of them couldn't help but feel a headache. After so many lifetimes, this was the first time they had encountered such a situation. They hadn't expected the county magistrate's wife to be so desperate.
"What does Madam mean by this? Madam Zhu said some ambiguous things when she came, which we didn't understand at all. Now you've brought the county magistrate here. Anyone would think we caused the county magistrate's current state. But we are no different from ordinary people, apart from our martial arts. If we had beaten the county magistrate or cut him with a knife, it would be more believable. The county magistrate doesn't look well. You should find a doctor." Zhang Changhe knew Wu Caiwei didn't want to face her and stepped forward to shield her from prying eyes.
"Stop pretending. I know it was you. My husband was fine when he went out, and after drinking tea with you just once, he became like this. If not you, then who? I know you're seeking revenge because my husband wronged you in the past, but now our family has suffered so much torment, it's even. As long as you can cure him, we'll mind our own business from now on. I promise not to retaliate." The county magistrate's wife stared at them intently, afraid of missing any hint of their expressions. Su Dan Novel Network
Unfortunately for her, to her disappointment, the couple remained unfazed throughout. No matter what she said, they simply denied it. This made the county magistrate's wife doubt her own assumptions. Was her guess wrong?
But if it wasn't them, who in this city harbored such deep hatred for her husband? And who had the ability to bring the county magistrate to this state?