CHAPTER 2032: CHAPTER 2031: ANOTHER PIECE

Tong Zhengye saw her asking so directly, he smiled wryly and said, "We’ve known each other for a while, and I admire both Zepei and you very much. Since we’re friends, just call me by my name, don’t call me Tong Juror, it’s not particularly honorable to just pass the imperial examination."

Bai Ruozhu pouted, thinking of how many people’s lifelong dream is just to pass the examination, without too high hopes. Look at him, he sure talks easily without any trouble.

"Alright, Tong Zhengye, what exactly do you want me to do?" Bai Ruozhu repeated more directly.

Tong Zhengye’s face showed a hint of embarrassment, "Why not talk inside, this matter must not leak."

Bai Ruozhu hesitated slightly, but still stepped aside.

If you’re righteous, you won’t fear your shadow being crooked, she couldn’t be bothered to think too much.

After Tong Zhengye entered the room, he lowered his voice and said, "We’ve checked, this place isn’t really the treasure area, but there’s a clue to be found. To enter, one must pass through a poisonous miasma land. I’ve heard that the one who set up the mechanisms was skilled at using poisons, so I want to ask an expert for help."

Bai Ruozhu squinted her eyes, "So you targeted me from the beginning?"

"No!" Tong Zhengye quickly exclaimed, "It’s really because my father was saved by you, and he insisted that I must thank you properly. Later, I looked into Linchuan City’s matters and found that the plague wasn’t a natural disaster but man-made. But you could cure it, so I knew you were very skilled at detoxifying."

Bai Ruozhu laughed, "You’re wrong, I’m better at poisoning."

Tong Zhengye’s body trembled, realizing that his fingertips were turning a bit black, even though he hadn’t touched or consumed anything since he came in. How did she do it?

His eyes flashed slightly, but he quickly lowered them, his long eyelashes covering the bright look in his eyes.

Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced and thought, why does a man have such long eyelashes? He could be a celebrity in modern times.

"What’s the reason behind all this?" Bai Ruozhu asked again.

Tong Zhengye looked up at her, "I dare not be greedy for the treasure, just want to use the clues obtained to save a chance for the Tong Family."

"Isn’t the Tong Family quite powerful in the south?" Bai Ruozhu regretted not knowing enough about the southern situation.

Tong Zhengye smiled wryly, "Though our Tong Family is a merchant family, the Tong sect is large, and there are some driven by greed beyond our control. But the current big families share both prosperity and loss. I’m forced by circumstance."

He seemed unfazed by the poisoning, walked to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it calmly.

"I have a cousin who married his daughter to King Rui and secretly supported him with a lot of money. It was only after King Rui’s rebellion that we learned of this. Otherwise, we would have stopped him long ago. Even though the Tong’s weren’t intending to ally with King Rui, how can we explain now?"

He shook his head, "So I must get that thing quickly and pledge allegiance to the emperor, otherwise..."

"It seems you believe the emperor can definitely reclaim Jiang Mountain?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"Don’t you think so?" Tong Zhengye replied.

Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly, "But why should I help you? Give me a reason or offer something tempting!"

Tong Zhengye didn’t speak. Instead, he reached into his chest and pulled out a silk handkerchief, carefully unfolding it.

Bai Ruozhu glanced over and her heart jumped wildly. This—this was actually part of the second half of the "Poison Classic," and the part she didn’t have!

Wasn’t it too much of a coincidence? She just discovered the part of the "Poison Classic" in Abstinent Epilepsy Monk’s protective talisman, and now Tong Zhengye brought another part. Could he know something?

But Bai Ruozhu found it unlikely. Her protective talisman had always been hidden in her space, and after discovering this secret, she hadn’t told anyone. How could Tong Zhengye know?

If encountering the Mad Monk was arranged by the Tong Family, wouldn’t it be calculated too early? Besides, what great benefits could they gain from plotting against her?

Upon careful thought, one possibility was that the latter half of the "Poison Classic" had spread in this world, being divided into several parts and falling into different people’s hands.

The one before her, and the peace talisman from the Abstinent Epilepsy Monk, should both be copies, not the original.

"Is this all you have?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Tong Zhengye showed a surprised expression, "Does this ’Poison Classic’ have other content?"

He then showed a look of sudden realization, "Seems like you’ve seen the ’Poison Classic’ before and have seen other contents. An insider looks for secrets, while outsiders just watch the fun. My father and I have studied it, but we’re not skilled at poison skills and cannot integrate it; we only followed the formulas to mix poisons, but it’s too dangerous for us to try lightly."

He placed the silk handkerchief on the table near her and said, "I think this item is most useful to you, it’s wasted in our hands."

Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced at the silk handkerchief. She knew she couldn’t resist the temptation of the "Poison Classic" and would definitely accept it.

"Alright, but I hope it’s just this one thing, and I can’t delay too long." Bai Ruozhu said.

Tong Zhengye smiled, not too surprised, as if he had known Bai Ruozhu would agree.

"Don’t worry, my family can’t wait either," he said.

"I think time is still tight; even if you get the item, it might not save the Tong Family," Bai Ruozhu reminded him.

"My father went to Linchuan City before to meet the emperor, already pledging loyalty and mentioning this matter. The emperor is willing to give us a chance." Tong Zhengye said.

Bai Ruozhu showed understanding. The Linchuan City plague broke out shortly after the army passed through. The Tong senior was trapped in Linchuan City, probably went to meet the emperor but didn’t have time to leave before the plague hit.

"As for Zepei, I didn’t tell him because I’m afraid he’ll oppose you taking action." Tong Zhengye laughed awkwardly, "He’ll probably turn against me when he finds out later."

Bai Ruozhu understood that her second brother was worried about her, unwilling for her to take risks. No wonder Tong Zhengye didn’t seek her second brother but came directly to her.

"I’ll talk to him myself. You let me know when you’re ready. I’ll bring two people and won’t reveal your secrets." Bai Ruozhu said without Tong Zhengye’s reminder.

Tong Zhengye showed an approving look, "Ruozhu, you truly are a smart woman."

Bai Ruozhu glared at him, "We’re not that close, are we?"

He just said not to call him Tong Juror, and in a blink, he was directly calling her given name.

Tong Zhengye laughed heartily, "We’ll get familiar gradually, or maybe I’m naturally friendly, please don’t mind."

After saying that, he cupped his hands in farewell and left without waiting for Bai Ruozhu to say more.