Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"It would make his wife jealous if she saw this."
As soon as Shen Muhan said this, Python Brother completely wilted, his head hanging low, the corners of his mouth clearly forming a downward arc. Xia Muxin couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at the sight; it seemed Python Brother was really going to become something extraordinary. However, she was more interested in what Shen Muhan referred to as his "wife." Her eyes brightened as she leaned closer and asked:
"Uncle, have you found a wife for Python Brother?"
Shen Muhan shot a sideways glance at Python Brother and replied, "No, not yet."
"......"
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Early in the morning, Xia Muxin felt particularly cold and kept curling up under her blankets. Shen Muhan hadn't come to her room the previous day, which made her feel a bit uneasy. Even with a thick quilt covering her, she still felt chilly.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes and immediately looked out the window.
Great, it’s snowing again...
Since arriving in Daimiao Village, she realized she wasn't very fond of snow because it tended to fall for several days at a time. Then the entire village would freeze over, remaining icy for ten days to half a month, or even longer.
The door creaked open as Shen Muhan entered with a pot of hot tea. Seeing that she was awake, he placed the teapot on the small table beside her and took a seat nearby, his gaze fixed intently on Xia Muxin.
"Uncle, what's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
Xia Muxin felt uneasy under his stare and instinctively reached up to wipe her face before asking blankly.
It seemed like she didn't have a habit of drooling in her sleep...
Shen Muhan gently ruffled her fragrant hair and said softly,
“Muxin... I have something important to attend to and will be away for a while. Ming Peng will stay here to protect you.”
Upon hearing that he was leaving again, Xia Muxin felt an inexplicable sense of panic. However, she understood that someone of Shen Muhan's status could not remain with her forever. Ignoring her disheveled appearance, she sat up and asked,
“Will it be a long time?”
“About two months.”
“Don’t break your promise!”
“I won’t.”
“Wuwu...”
*
A month later.
Fine rain fell from the sky, and the early spring air was still quite chilly. The rain had hardly stopped over the past month.
“Miss Muxin, are you ready?”
Ming Peng had risen early and went up the mountain to look for food on the Golden Python. Xia Tieshu and Xia Xiaosong followed closely behind because it would often catch some game meat to bring back for the two brothers after it had eaten its fill. Summer Forest had gone to sow seeds.
The day after Shen Muhan left, Xia Muxin ground some beans to make tofu. Once the tofu was prepared, she fried a portion into Fried Tofu to sell in Town, while another part was spread out on Thatched Grass to mold, which she then turned into Moldy Tofu.
Uncle Bingzi's exquisite jars had all come in handy, filled to the brim with Moldy Tofu. Today was the day she would sell her Moldy Tofu.
This time, she wasn't as lost as before. Knowing that Shen Muhan would return and wouldn't break his promise to her, she focused all her energy on working and earning money.
Xue Er had just turned one month old a few days ago. Due to the cold weather, she hadn't taken the baby outside. The family had also built two workshops, and as soon as the villagers finished planting this season's rice, Xia Muxin would let them work in her workshops. The workers had already been booked, and everyone was eagerly looking forward to it.
After loading the last jar onto the cart, Xia Muxin skillfully jumped up and said, "Let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Ming Qi cracked the whip and called out a command, and the cart set off at a brisk pace.
Aunt Xia had already completed her month of confinement and spent her free time making clothes for Xue Er. Most of the cooking at home was handled by Xia Jihua, while Ermiao often helped out in the workshop. Today, with a rare moment of leisure, she washed the mushrooms and Pipi Vegetables she had gathered over the past few days and set them on the stove to roast.
The whole family was diligent, always ready to lend a hand, fearing they might not contribute enough. In such a harmonious household, Summer Old Man often shed tears of joy, wishing his late partner were still alive...
Upon arriving at Town, Xia Muxin found a spot to set up her stall. She now had her own little market stand. Ming Qi helped her set up the wooden boards before placing the jars on display.
She was becoming quite familiar in Town and was even considered somewhat of a legend.
Each time she came out with something new, not only was it innovative but also tasted unlike anything anyone had ever experienced before. Her goods were always snatched up by eager customers.
This time was no exception; as soon as her stall was set up, some regulars came over, asking questions left and right. Xia Muxin brought a small bowl filled with Moldy Tofu topped with a layer of red oil for tasting. After sampling it, everyone quickly gathered their coins together; regardless of the price, they were willing to buy.
Xia Muxin also offered a discount for returning jars—ten coins each—promising that no matter when or where they saw her, they could return jars to her.
In less than half an hour, dozens of jars of Moldy Tofu were sold out. Of course, there were still several dozen reserved for Fushou Tower. While packing up her stall, she instructed Ming Yi to deliver the goods to Fushou Tower.
Before Shen Muhan left, he had repeatedly warned her not to get too close to Su Yan-Chu, claiming that the young man had ulterior motives. At that time, she had teased him about not believing in his own charm, which led to him pressing her for quite some time—this marked their final parting...
Thinking about it, Xia Muxin couldn't help but feel her heart race, and her pretty face flushed a deep red.
"Over there, sir, look, it's her."
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out. Xia Muxin frowned and looked up to see Zhou Qinglian linking arms with Zhou Cailian, pointing at her while speaking to several men who looked like officials.
Xia Muxin inexplicably felt the urge to run, but before she could move, four people had already subdued her.
"Several officials, what is the meaning of this? Am I breaking the law just for setting up a stall as a commoner?"
The grip of the men was strong as they twisted Xia Muxin's hands behind her back with a snap that made her wince in pain, tears streaming down her face. Meanwhile, Zhou Qinglian and her sister were receiving several pieces of silver from another official.
"Whether it's against the law or not will be decided at the Yamen."
The leading Yard Officer, with yellowed teeth and a thick accent, shot Xia Muxin a cold glare before waving his hand. Xia Muxin was dragged away by the others.
"Ming Qi! Ming Qi..."
Along the way, many people who recognized her tried to plead for her, but the leading official drew his sword, causing everyone to back off in fear.
With no other choice, Xia Muxin could only shout for Ming Qi.
*
In a daze, Xia Muxin felt as if her hands were useless; the pain made her gasp. If she remembered correctly, she had been captured for three days now. During these three days, she hadn't had a drop of water and had been shoved into a prison cart covered with black cloth. She had no idea where they were taking her, nor did anyone inform her.
Lying weakly in a pile of foul-smelling straw, surrounded by endless darkness whether she opened or closed her eyes, she wanted to curse.
She still couldn't figure out what was going on.
"Ugh..."
Suddenly, the Prison Cart jolted, and Xia Muxin, who had been half-sitting, was thrown against the wall of the cart, causing her to grimace in pain.
She truly regretted not learning a few more moves from Ming Yi and the others. Her family must be frantic right now; she wondered if Ming Qi would find her.
Amidst the commotion, she guessed it was coming from a noodle shop nearby.
After a while, she heard another voice.
"It's been days; will she die from not eating or drinking?"
"Well, she's bound to die sooner or later. Dying now might even spare her some suffering. After all, with Lord Zhao's precious daughter missing for so long, do you think the suspect will get out alive?"
Zhao?
Could it be Zhao Qiushui...
Xia Muxin narrowed her eyes; she had pieced together most of the situation, but these people wouldn’t let her see the light of day. Even if she wanted to escape, there was no way out.
Suddenly, something was thrown in, followed by a voice:
"If you're still alive, you should drink some water."
With her hands and feet bound, upon hearing that voice, Xia Muxin's first thought was that she had to survive. She fumbled to bite open the cap of the water bottle and took a few big gulps.
The journey continued in darkness, with no end in sight.
After an unknown number of days, the black cloth that had shrouded her was finally pulled away. However, before Xia Muxin could take in her surroundings, she was dragged into a prison cell.
Weak and exhausted, she crawled into the dark, damp, and foul-smelling dungeon. At that moment, someone brought food. Without a second thought, she grabbed the meal and stuffed it into her mouth. After all, during these days, she had only eaten two buns, leftovers from the Yard Officer.
All she could think about was filling her stomach; only when her belly was full would she have a chance to escape.
"Let go of me, Zhao Weiran! You corrupt official, you tyrant who deceives the people! I swear I will haunt you even as a ghost!"
Suddenly, a man who had clearly suffered severe punishment was thrown into the cell. Seeing the bloodstains on his white prison uniform, Xia Muxin crawled over and patted his back.
"Hey there, are you alright? Where are we? Why are we locked up here?"
The man lifted his bloodied face to look at her. Noticing that she was just an innocent young girl, he spat out some blood and said sympathetically, "Miss, this is the death row of Zhao Manor. Anyone brought here has been sentenced to death. In ten days, they will take us to Meridian Gate for execution."
- End of Chapter -
Comment 0 Comment Count