Nian Family.
In the room.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at Yu Chuan lying on the bed, feeling worried.
Upon receiving the news, Yu Chuan had already lost his footing. After he managed to calm himself down and inquire about his birth father, he received a response indicating a high probability of death, causing him to collapse immediately and faint.
"Wuwuwu~"
Ever since the news was delivered and Yu Chuan fainted, Xu Ruoliu had been crying incessantly. Nian Jiaojiao, feeling somewhat restless, asked Xing Yun to look after Yu Chuan and led everyone else out.
Living Room.
"What exactly happened?"
Nian Jiaojiao, seated in the main chair, asked with a frown.
Xu Ruoliu slowly stopped crying, but her voice was still choked with sobs. Xu Nan spoke up:
"We don't know the specific reasons. It's just that three people suddenly rushed into our home and killed anyone they saw. My fifth brother and I live closer to the backyard, which is how we narrowly escaped. As for the others..."
Xu Ruoliu added at this point:
"The next day, we secretly hid near our home to observe, and we saw it, we saw our mother's body being carried out! Wuwuwu~"
As she spoke, Xu Ruoliu started crying again.
Hearing this, Nian Jiaojiao's heart stirred, "What about the others? Did you see Yu Chuan's father?"
Xu Nan shook her head:
"No, over a dozen bodies were carried out from the estate. We could only identify our mother because the white cloth covering her was blown away by the wind."
In that case, Yu Chuan's father might not have been harmed.
It seemed she still had to make a trip to Shanshui Town.
Regardless, she had to give Yu Chuan an explanation.
Nian Jiaojiao made up her mind.
...
Shanshui Town.
County Office.
"My Lord, this scholar Xu's family, this..."
The runners at the county office wore solemn expressions.
She had seen many dead people before, but such a near-extermination tragedy had never occurred in Shanshui Town!
Moreover, this time the deceased was a top-ranked scholar of the dynasty.
Who dared to challenge the might of the Great Yue Dynasty!
Just then, another runner entered.
After bowing to Magistrate Cheng, the man said:
"My Lord, the coroner has found some clues."
"Oh? Speak quickly!"
"A few days after the Xu family died, black lotuses gradually appeared on their backs."
"All of them!?" Magistrate Cheng exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes, they were on all the deceased."
Hearing her subordinate's resolute answer, Magistrate Cheng gasped and sat down, murmuring,
"How is it possible? Haven't they not appeared for a hundred years? Why would they appear in our humble Shanshui Town... They are starting to be active again, it seems recent times will be turbulent..."
Then, she thought again.
That's not right.
Scholar Xu was just a minor scholar in Shanshui Town, how could he provoke such people to hunt him down?
Magistrate Cheng truly couldn't understand.
...
Prince's Estate.
Dungeon.
For some reason, three men were dragged out of the cells consecutively today. Bai Qingqing grew increasingly fearful, terrified that he would be next.
In Wang Zhilan's room.
Three men knelt in a line. Wang Zhilan, with bloodshot eyes, ferociously whipped the three, showing no mercy.
She seemed to be venting, or perhaps exhilarated.
After fifteen minutes,
The three men were on the verge of death.
"Zhilan."
Deputy City Lord Wang walked in and frowned slightly upon seeing the men lying on the ground.
Hearing her mother's voice, the redness in Wang Zhilan's eyes gradually receded.
She dropped the whip, "Mother?"
Deputy City Lord Wang glanced at her and said:
"Come with me to the study."
Study.
By this time, Wang Zhilan had changed her clothes and stood respectfully by the side, awaiting City Lord Wang's words, showing no trace of her previous ferocity.
After a long while, City Lord Wang finally spoke:
"I heard you had a conflict with that Tan Tang today."
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhilan felt indignant.
She already knew who had been gossiping behind her mother's back.
Seeing the captain of the guard standing behind City Lord Wang, Wang Zhilan glared at him fiercely.
"Zhilan!"
Wang Zhilan snapped back to attention, withdrawing her gaze, and reluctantly replied:
"That Tan Tang was bothering me, I didn't provoke her first!"
City Lord Wang frowned, her tone leaving no room for doubt:
"I have contacted Qingzhou. They are quite satisfied with the poem I submitted. They will send people over soon. That person is a direct subordinate of that esteemed official. If you don't curb your temper, don't blame me if I can't protect you then!"
Hearing City Lord Wang's words, Wang Zhilan understood the gravity of the situation and quickly said:
"I understand, Mother."
She would endure for a while. Once the people from Qingzhou left, she would continue her plans!
...
Ying Estate.
City Lord Ying's residence was located near the north of Fengcheng, directly opposite the Wang Estate to the south.
"Aunt! Do you know who I met today?"
Tan Tang said excitedly, her face flushed red.
City Lord Ying was accustomed to her niece's excitable nature and, without even lifting an eyelid, slowly said:
"Oh."
Tan Tang was initially taken aback but quickly composed herself, answering her own question:
"I saw the Nian Tongshou from the previous Full Moon Poetry Gathering today!"
City Lord Ying did not respond.
Helpless, Tan Tang continued:
"This time, when I saw that Nian Tongshou, her appearance had changed drastically. Her skin was so fair it looked like it could be squeezed for water!"
At this point, City Lord Ying finally looked up and stared at her niece's face for a long time before saying:
"When did you pick up Wang Lanzhi's bad habits? In the future, when you go out, don't say you are the niece of me, Ying Fengxian!"
Tan Tang was initially stunned and couldn't process what was said. When she finally understood, she incredulously exclaimed:
"Aunt! How can you suspect me? I have that Fengyin peculiarity!?"
City Lord Ying raised an eyebrow:
"Oh? Is that not the case?"
"Of course not! Aunt, where are you going with this!"
Tan Tang felt a tightness in her chest, her face flushing as she said:
"My children are about to start their studies. Aunt, please don't make such a joke!"
City Lord Ying was unfazed:
"What does it matter if your children are about to start their studies? Wang Zhilan's peculiar habit for so many years, did it change overnight?"
Clearly, as the City Lord, City Lord Ying was aware of some of the movements within the city.
However, due to certain reasons, she was constrained by Deputy City Lord Wang and could not handle these matters.
Tan Tang felt like she was about to spit blood. Her aunt was truly infuriating when she was angry.
She turned serious and solemnly stated:
"Aunt, I suspect Nian Jiaojiao has undergone Marrow Cleansing and Blood Revolution!"
Upon hearing her niece's words, the usually nonchalant City Lord Ying stiffened and stared intently at her:
"Really!?"
Then, she shook her head and denied it:
"That Nian Tongshou is just someone from a small place like Shanshui Town, how could it be possible... You're making such a judgment just because she's pretty, that's not appropriate..."
Unexpectedly, her niece's next words made City Lord Ying completely unable to sit still.
"Aunt, I'm someone who works in the court, how could I lack such discernment?
That Nian Tongshou has no calluses on her palms from practicing martial arts, nor any muscles, yet she could defeat the guard captain of the Prince's Estate. Tell me, why is that?"