CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 132: TAKE THEM ALL

The room was lit with several more lamps, and only then could Nanny Lv see everyone clearly. When her gaze fell on Su Huaiqing’s face, Nanny Lv knew that everything was over.

Their scheme might have been discovered long ago, and the words she blurted out in panic were tantamount to admitting guilt, leaving her no room to deny.

Nanny Lv’s legs weakened, and she knelt on the ground.

Madam Su covered the scar on her neck with her hand, unable to forget the near-death experience even now. She truly felt as if she had crossed the threshold of hell, yet her life was spared. What she couldn’t fathom was that the one who wanted her dead was her own brother, and the Nanny Lv by her side had always been serving Lin Xu.

Blow after blow left her feeling as if life were worse than death, and her gaze fell upon the Zhenzhou County Magistrate in the main seat.

The Zhenzhou County Magistrate had a face of unwavering integrity, and his profound gaze made Madam Su’s mind recall the image of Song Xian.

Madam Su looked desperately at Su Huaiqing, her eyes full of complex expressions of panic and fear.

Though a child, Su Huaiqing still adhered to his own principles and simply said, "Mother cannot continue to err. County Magistrate Qu is here, you should disclose everything you know and stop covering up for Lin Xu. Lin Xu was eager to kill you, not just to make you take all the blame but also because he was afraid you would reveal his secret, which is likely related to collusion with the Liao people."

Madam Su became tense upon hearing this: "I did not collude with the Liao people; I genuinely didn’t know the medicinal materials were meant to frame the Chen Family Village. It wasn’t until later when news spread in Zhenzhou and Lin Xu had me alter the accounts that I faintly guessed the truth.

I thought he was doing it for my benefit; as long as the accounts were wiped clean, the Su Family would not be implicated. Who would have thought he would be so ruthless; I am his own sister."

Towards the end, Madam Su’s voice choked with emotion.

Qu Chengmei couldn’t take it anymore. With General Song’s temperament, clues had to be extracted within an hour; if this delay continued, there would be no result before dawn.

Qu Chengmei, perhaps having served Song Xian for a long time, spoke with more authority than before: "If we waste time and fail to capture Lin Xu, the charge of collusion will fall on you."

Madam Su turned all her grief into fear upon hearing about collusion: "At that time, it was my brother’s idea to open the pharmacy in the North. He said Old Master Su refused to hand over managerial power to me; my husband had fallen ill in bed and couldn’t support me.

If we continued dragging on, it wouldn’t be feasible. The North had calmed down after the war, so why not have Old Master Su agree to open two pharmacies in the North? The newly opened pharmacies would be managed by me initially; once they profited, Old Master Su wouldn’t be able to refuse and would have to hand over the Su Family business to me."

Madam Su regretted letting herself be swayed and opening the pharmacy in the North on her brother’s suggestion. After arriving in the North, she kept facing setbacks, not only failing to establish the business but almost losing her life.

Only upon reaching such a plight did she belatedly realize that her brother had brought her to the North not for her sake but to use her to seize control of the Su Family’s pharmacy.

Madam Su was shocked for quite a while before coming to her senses: "Lin Xu introduced me to several officials from Zhenzhou and Qi State; I thought everything would go smoothly from then on, but who knew..."

Madam Su wanted to say that Song Xian had captured many officials in Zhenzhou but thankfully stopped herself, knowing she couldn’t suggest that Song Xian would always take care of the Chen Family Village, right?

"Who knew that the Chen Family Village would emerge, and our pharmacy couldn’t procure good medicinal materials. All previous efforts seemed to go to waste; Lin Xu found some merchants who sold a batch of Northern medicinal materials for us. Although not as good as those collected near Zhenzhou, they were barely usable."

Upon hearing this, Qu Chengmei looked at the clerk beside him; this was critical: "Where did Lin Xu buy the medicinal materials?"

Madam Su pursed her lips: "It should be in Yingzhou and Mo State."

Yingzhou and Mo State were under the Henghai Jiedu Envoy’s domain.

Qu Chengmei asked, "Did Lin Xu introduce you to the officials of Yingzhou and Mo State?"

Madam Su nodded: "But they were all patrolling soldiers; once familiar, it was easier to enter and exit the city."

Qu Chengmei continued, "Can you find them when you reach Yingzhou and Mo State?"

"I can," Madam Su replied, "I even meticulously arranged things in secret before, so I remember clearly." As a merchant, these things must be noted carefully. At that time, she was unaware how long the tussle with Chen Family Village would last and might continue traversing Yingzhou and Mo State, so she couldn’t afford to ignore this route.

Qu Chengmei stood up: "Time is of the essence; let’s set off now!"

Upon hearing the words "set off," Madam Su couldn’t help but shudder, but fortunately, Su Huaiqing’s hand supported her arm.

Su Huaiqing said, "If Mother can help the government office capture the colluder this time, she can atone for her sins."

Madam Su tightly grasped Su Huaiqing’s hand as if catching a lifeline of hope: "Huaiqing, Huaiqing..."

Su Huaiqing understood immediately: "I will go with Mother."

Su Huaiqing accompanied Madam Su to tidy up their clothing, while Qu Chengmei continued to interrogate Nanny Lv: "Do you know everything Mrs. Su Lin said earlier?"

Nanny Lv quickly nodded: "When Madam went to Yingzhou, Master even told me to keep an eye on her. In case of trouble, I’m to seek Vice General Zheng stationed in Yingzhou."

That’s sufficient for now; the details can be addressed after the individuals are apprehended.

Qu Chengmei stated, "Let’s head to Yingzhou first and arrest all those individuals." With a household general of Song Xian by his side, he wasn’t afraid to turn Yingzhou upside down. Although Yingzhou was still under the Henghai Jiedu Envoy’s domain, Qu Chengmei still vaguely felt that it would eventually belong to General Song Xian.

...

Chen Family Village.

Xie Liangchen had reviewed the documents from Song Xian, understanding that Song Xian would undoubtedly be too busy to deliver the Fierce Fire Oil Cabinet anytime soon.

Yet the day after eating pig tripe soup, Song Xian sent someone with carpenter’s tools, a large heap placed there, causing Chen Yongyi’s eyes to shine.

The houses and furnishings in Chen Family Village were made by villagers using wood, but they lacked specialized tools, resulting in rough work.

Luckily, those things were not particular; functionality was what mattered. But her wind box was different, requiring precision and the seams to be sealed with wax once completed.

Now equipped with these tools, she could finally pull her fourth uncle to start tinkering.

Old Mrs. Chen watched her granddaughter and Chen Yongyi tinkering away with wood in the courtyard, unsure of what they might be concocting.

The Familiar Medicine Institute emitted wafts of fragrance, a mix of oil and honey scent, then shifted to an unpleasant smell; it was Mr. Xu concocting pig fat.

Old Mrs. Chen sighed, no wonder people from surrounding villages often came to inquire about news. Even she was unsure of what Chen Family Village would look like tomorrow upon waking.

Xie Liangchen handed a piece of paper to Chen Yongyi; the next task required her fourth uncle to complete first. Once done, she needed to test it to discover where the issues lay.

"Grandmother," Xie Liangchen said, "I’ll go prepare medicinal dishes for Old Mrs. Song."

Having received favors from others, Song Xian had mentioned that Old Mrs. Song’s appetite wasn’t good these days, and with Song Xian likely unable to return to accompany the old lady, she decided to make a visit, addressing an urgent need.

Song Xian, who was busy traveling, suddenly sneezed.

Chang An leaned in, saying, "Master, that’s great news. Someone must be thinking about you."