Chapter 381 - Chapter 381: Chapter 375 He Went to Buy Poison
Chapter 381: Chapter 375 He Went to Buy Poison
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The thing that Zhao Baotian referred to as precious that he bought with five silver pieces was arsenic. However, it was mixed with many impurities, and its effectiveness in killing people had yet to be determined.
Moreover, the poison that killed Zhao Baotian and his wife was not arsenic.
After the man collected the money, he revealed a brilliant grin, saying, “Bro, use this sparingly. It will be hard for me to acquire more of this in the future.”
“Bro, don’t worry. I will.” Zhao Baotian took out a piece of parchment paper and wrapped the poison up. Then, he wrapped it again with a handkerchief before carefully putting it in his chest pocket.
The man said, “I would have invited you in for a meal, but I have other business to attend to today and will be heading out soon. Thankfully, you came here sooner. Otherwise, you would have returned empty-handed.”
“That’s fine. You go on with your day. We are also rushing home.”
“Alright. I will treat you next time. I owe you a meal.”
“Aye, then we will be on our way.”
After saying this, Zhao Baotian dragged Madam Liu and left.
The man stared intently at Zhao Baotian and his wife.
Madam Liu looked back and saw the man smile maliciously at her.
Madam Liu had goosebumps. She felt as though she was being watched. She subconsciously sped up her pace.
Zhao Baotian was courting dangerous people.
Madam Liu’s features were very ordinary, but she was well endowed.
Many old bachelors regularly drooled at the sight of her.
Even after she and Zhao Baotian had left him far behind, the man was still staring at her. His gaze alone seemed to strip her naked. It was unsettling.
Zhao Chuchu quietly followed the couple They then went to a medical hall and bought some medicinal herbs.
Among the herbs that Zhao Baotian bought, two or three of them had lethal toxicity when used together.
After that, they bought some other things and returned to the village.
Zhao Chuchu rushed to the spot where she and Xie Heng agreed to meet.
Xie Heng was resting with his eyes closed.
When he heard movement, he opened his eyes.
‘Zhao Baotian went to buy poison,” Zhao Chuchu told Xie Heng. “I don’t know whether Old Man Zhao taught him this or whether this was his own idea.”
“Didn’t you want to scare them? We will know once we try,” said Xie Heng. He leaned towards this being Zhao Baotian’s own idea.
Old Man Zhao could leave people to die, but he wouldn’t actually take the initiative to commit murder.
Selfish people valued their own lives the most.
“We will go tonight.”
The mental fortitude of the members of the Zhao clan was not so strong as not to fear ghosts.
Zhao Chuchu had already come up with a plan.
When they arrived at the village, they discovered several carts waiting at the entrance. The driver felt somewhat familiar to Zhao Chuchu. He seemed to be from the Yuan clan.
“Mrs. Xie, finally, you are back.” Just as Zhao Chuchu recognized the driver, the latter also spotted her. He quickly leaped off his cart and came up to theirs. He bowed respectfully and said, “I came on behalf of the Yuan clan to deliver things you will need for the Spring Festival.”
“It is still a way off till the new year. Why have you delivered these so early?” asked Zhao Chuchu as she smiled.
The driver answered, “Old Madam worried that we would be delayed, so she arranged for me to deliver these goods now. Where should I put them?”
“Follow me.” Zhao Chuchu said as she hopped down from the cart. She instructed Xie Heng to send their cart to the watermill workshop while she went to the Xie residence with the driver.
All five horse carriages were fully loaded. There were textiles, rice, supplements, and many preserved meats from renowned shops in the capital. The carriages contained everything Zhao Chuchu would ever need for the Spring Festival. The Yuan clan had prepared everything for her, even things she did not foresee herself using.
It was currently slack season for the farmers, so the villagers were relatively free. All of them gathered at the Xie residence to join in the fun.
When they saw so many things being unloaded, they were envious.
A villager said, “Rumor has it that the Yuan clan is the wealthiest clan in
Guangqing Province. Before this, I thought people were just exaggerating the fact. Now I believe them.”
Another villager said, “How much money did the Yuan clan spend on all these things? Just now, I heard someone say that there is 100-year-old ginseng on the list. I think even the medical hall in town does not have such a precious item.”
“Chuchu is duly rewarded for her good deeds. She saved one of their members; that’s how she started a good relationship with them. You should not be envious. If you are capable, you can receive such treatment too.”
“Tsk. Why would you say I’m envious? I’m just admiring the items. I will most likely not be able to afford all these things even if I save up for a lifetime.”
Zhao Chuchu kept quiet and smiled as she listened to the villagers’ discussion.
This was most likely considered low profile for the Yuan clan.
Previously when she left, the Yuan clan prepared even more things for her. After she adamantly refused the gifts, only then did Old Mrs. Yuan agree to give her a small portion of what she originally planned to give.
However, Zhao Chuchu had a feeling that these would not be the last gifts she received this year.
The presents from the Du clan were most likely being delivered too.
Zhao Chuchu casually asked, “How’s the Du clan doing?
“Nothing major happened recently. However, according to the young mistress, Second Miss Du is currently looking for a husband after you healed her face.”
“So soon?” Zhao Chuc.hu exclaimed.
She pursed her lips together.
Second Miss Du’s face had just recovered, and she was already looking for a husband? From the looks of it, she was undoubtedly eager to get married.
“However, First Miss Du made a scene,” said the driver, suddenly lowering his voice. He whispered, “Everyone is saying that First Miss Du has her eye on the man betrothed to Second Miss Du. She wants to steal her sister’s future husband.”
Zhao Chuc.hu was speechless.
“I am not clear about the exact details. However, before I came, the young mistress instructed me to pass you a letter. Just now, I planned to give it to you after I finished moving the goods, so I did not give it to you immediately.”
After the driver said this, he turned around and took a case from the cart. He then passed it to Zhao Chuchu.
Zhao Chuchu opened it. The letter that Yuan Hui wrote to her was really thick.
There were at least 20 pages.
She probably added to this letter whenever she had the time!
Just then, Xie Heng happened to return. Zhao Chuchu let Xie Heng direct them in unloading the goods. Meanwhile, she took the case and went inside. As expected, Yuan Hui wrote this letter every day that she could. Her letter contained her daily ramblings, her experiences visiting other people’s residences, and even gossip from Guangqing Province.
Most of the gossip was about the feud between the Xia clan and the Kang clan, both openly and secretly.
Although Zhao Chuchu had known about this from Xie Heng for a long while, Yuan Hui had even more details to share.
To disgrace the Xia clan, Kang Liang redeemed a woman from a brothel and brought her back to the Xia residence. Xia Chengxuan’s dignity was trampled on the ground.
In a fit of rage, the Xia clan forced Kang Liang and Xia Chengxuan to get a divorce.
Initially, Kang Liang did not want to do so. However, unbeknownst why, he agreed later on.
Now, Xia Chengxuan and Kang Xiuwan have returned to the Xia residence.
Xia Chenglan, rumored to have passed away for many years, came back from the dead, turning the Xia clan upside down.
Due to this, Xia Songquan was so enraged that he was bedridden. According to the physician, he had a stroke.
When Yuan Hui was writing this letter to Zhao Chuchu, Xia Chengzhu was already the new clan leader of the Xia clan.
This was within expectations. Given how chaotic their situation was, it was normal for the Xia clan to reach this point. It was just that it had happened much sooner than Zhao Chuchu had expected.
As for why the Xia clan had not invited her to treat Xia Songquan, Zhao
Chuchu guessed that this was Xie Heng’s doing.
The last thing that Yuan Hui mentioned in her letter was that both the Yuan clan and the Qiao clan had swiftly decided on the date for her wedding with Qiao Heting. They would be married on the 16th day of the Ninth Month.