Chapter 100: Chapter 100
Chapter 100
“It was that fox Yueqian! She was the one who gave me the poison to put in the soldiers’ food!!” Mu Tian pointed at Yueqian. Many villagers were shocked and breathed sighs of relief when they were not chosen, though some felt pity for Yueqian. Everyone knew that Yueqian did not do it, and that Mu Tian was merely looking for a scapegoat for herself.
Some villagers were very happy that they were not in trouble. They didn’t care about Yueqian, who had once given them hope. Of course, these were the few groups Yueqian took this opportunity to take note of; in the future, they would not receive any opportunities from her again.
The Young General’s eyes flickered. It seemed that this ongoing event was not what he had anticipated. He had planned to intervene and help clear Yueqian of the false accusations, given that she had only recently arrived. But if he claimed the bandits had been around for a while, she would be free from the false accusation.
But when he saw her unbothered expression, the Young General held his tongue, waiting to watch Yueqian’s performance.
“Is it really the Eldest Young Miss Qin?” The Third Prince himself couldn’t help but glance at the Young General. He hadn’t expected Yueqian to be implicated in this matter either.
“Your Highness, I can vouch for her. Mu Heng’s wife is not that kind of person. She couldn’t possibly be the one who hired her,” the village leader stepped forward. The way he protected her certainly caused Mu Tian to feel displeased.
“If it’s not her, then who else has that much money to hire someone?” Mu Tian said confidently.
“Hmph, if it was about hiring, do you think she would hire you? She and you hate each other more than anything. There’s no way she would hire you!” Aunt Liao stepped forward to argue.
“I think the same. Besides, if Yueqian really hired you, would you even accept? Someone as selfish and paranoid as you would dare take her money?” Zhu Liang mocked.
“This matter definitely has nothing to do with A’Heng’s wife. It’s impossible for you and her to have had a proper conversation.”
Many people started speaking up for Yueqian. It seemed quite a lot of villagers trusted her and wanted to repay her for her past help.
“Hmph, it’s because I don’t get along with her that she hired me. If I got caught and died, I’d be executed anyway,” Mu Tian cursed, glaring to threaten them. She intended to do so. So, no one would dare to speak against her. Since her only chance of survival might disappear.
“Stop talking nonsense. You should reveal the real mastermind,” Mu Xian, who didn’t believe his daughter would frame Yueqian at this time, spoke up. Yueqian was a benefactor, teaching the children and always ready to help with any problems, despite her sharp tongue and seemingly cold hearted.
Although Mu Tian was their daughter and getting such an offer was good, why was she so thoughtless? Instead of exposing the real mastermind, she framed Yueqian.
“Father!” Mu Tian was so shocked, never expecting her father to say such a thing.
She had tried talking about the real mastermind, but where was the mastermind now? Not around here! Even if she spoke, her words would be meaningless. So, to survive, she just had to find someone to drag to death in her place.
And who should die instead of her? If not Yueqian, then who else deserves it?!
Weren’t her parents cursing that woman before? Why were they now thinking of helping her? Did they no longer see this daughter’s life as important?
“Haha, what a splendid scene. Eldest Young Miss Qin, I truly pity you for having to live in a village with people being so cruel toward you,” the Fifth Prince couldn’t help but laugh.
He knew the true purpose wasn’t to accuse Yueqian of being the culprit. Although not as clever as his Third Brother, who immediately understood the intentions of his friend, the Young General, once the general said, he wasn’t foolish enough to miss that the Young General still had an interest in Yueqian.
Rumor that reached the capital had it that the Young General still wanted to open his manor to welcome Eldest Young Miss Qin. If she were accused of being a bandit’s spy and sentenced to death, it wouldn’t be the outcome anyone desired.
“From the defendant’s statement, it’s clear that she avoids implicating anyone from the village. She points to Eldest Young Miss Qin, who has only recently arrived at this village. Obviously, she is a scapegoat,” the Third Prince added, supporting his younger brother.
Hearing this, Mu Tian’s face turned pale instantly.
“No, it’s her. It’s her.” Mu Tian tried to protest. However, Mu Tian’s body was covered in filthy mess. Naturally, he did not want her to come closer.
“So, I see that it is true that the people in this village are spies for the bandits. Take Eldest Young Miss Qin to rest and explain the details to her later. As for these villagers who dared to rebel, execute them...” The Third Prince called out the soldiers, easily making his decision and expecting no opposition.
Of course, Yueqian did not let the Third Prince make such a decision.
“Third Prince, this Yueqian begs for your mercy, Your Highness,” Yueqian said calmly. The demeanor of a woman who had been screaming like a pig being slaughtered was gone, replaced by the distant and arrogant demeanor befitting a lady from a powerful family.
The Third Prince who was having fun ordering paused slightly, even the general beside him furrowed his brows.
He knew she had some plan, but he had no idea what it might be.
“Eldest Young Miss Qin? Please.” As a prince, especially in front of so many people, he could not refuse. After all, this matter concerned the lives of many people. Even if the villagers would not be able to survive and spread words, the nobles were still present. For a matter like this, even mere rumors could destroy him. With so many rivals watching closely, any mistake in judgement or evidence against him could lead to his downfall.
“What Mu Tian said... is true.” Yueqian suddenly spoke against the Third Prince’s words. Her face remained calm, but those around her didn’t dare to even breathe.
“Yueqian, what are you saying?” Aunt Liao was the first to speak up. She was almost faint with fear and wanted to grab the girl and give her a few smacks to bring her to her senses.
“A’Heng’s wife, how can you say such a thing?”
“Indeed, do you no longer wish to live?” Those who supported Yueqian quickly voiced their objections. However, many were still fearful that if Yueqian wasn’t punished, they would be the ones to die.
“Are you all on her side? Are you all thieves as well?”
“Yes, Yueqian has confessed. What else is there to argue?”
“Such scum! She just arrived at our village. Our village was peaceful until she arrived. After Yueqian came, trouble began. It must be her.” Those who were terrified of dying, did not care of what was right or wrong, spoke up.
Yueqian glanced at all of them. She already remembered. They would face the consequences after this.
“Eldest Young Miss Qin, how can you say...” The Third Prince was also stunned. If Yueqian took responsibility herself, wouldn’t that ruin their plan?
“Yes, Third Prince. It was indeed me. But I ask Your Highness to be fair. The white powder I gave Mu Tian was not poison.” Yueqian spoke another sentence.
The Young General almost burst into laughter.
Originally, he thought Yueqian was planning something, but he hadn’t expected her to suddenly deny it outright.
“You say that powder is not poison, so what is it?” The Young General, eager to tease his beautiful future wife, interjected instead of the Third Prince who had initially taken the lead.
“Because earlier, I treated more than 20 villagers and saved their lives. That medicine was given to me by my mother, purchased from the capital, and it was very expensive. After helping the villagers recover, I had one packet left, so I gave it to Mu Tian to give to the soldiers.”
“You’re saying that powder is a medicine?” The Young General raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, it is definitely medicine,” Yueqian replied confidently. The Young General laughed briefly before waving to his men to bring the packet of medicine.
“Is this the medicine you mentioned?” Yueqian nodded, showing no signs of worry. The Young General slowly approached her, seeming to know that the packet had been swapped.
“Well, then. This must really be the medicine you claim it to be.” As the Young General said this, many villagers who were on Yueqian’s side sighed in relief.
“Is that really medicine? Y... Yes, yes, it is indeed medicine. I was the one who told Yueqian to do it.” Mu Tian had just regained her composure. She seemed to realize she had missed something. Instead of gaining credit for herself, she ended up giving the achievement to Yueqian.
Mu Tian’s words were like empty air. No one believed a liar like her, and no one wanted to even listen. Even Mu Tian’s own parents appeared disappointed with her.
“But why do I think this medicine has been swapped? So..., I kept the pot that has some of the powder in it. What do you think... Qian’er?” The Young General stepped closer, speaking like a victor.
The sheath of his large sword tilted Yueqian’s chin as if to challenge her. The Young General merely wanted her to know that he had seen through all her plans.
What he wanted now was for Yueqian to beg for his mercy. She should be trembling with fear that her plan had not gone as she had expected.
However, all he saw was a sneer forming at the corner of her mouth. Yueqian even dared to brush off his sword’s sheath without fear. Her face seemed as if she was the one who knew everything. Her steady gaze deeply unsettled the Young General."In that case... why don’t you try bringing it out to prove it yourself? Whether it is poison or medicine, such a simple matter... if I could think of it, surely you could too." Yueqian gave him a beautiful smile. However, that beauty did not enchant people, the only feeling one could get was fear. Even Mu Tian, who was at a distance, felt as though she was being forced to run along a predetermined path.
