Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Fortunately, Xiao Zong shouted in time, and when his men turned around to check, the prisoner had already bitten his tongue.

The men worked together to dislocate the prisoner's jaw, their backs drenched in cold sweat, their faces turning pale with fright.

As the smoke cleared, the men in black retreated like flowing water. Dou Zhao, carrying the large fish he had caught, threw it in front of Xiao Zong.

"Master, these fish are more dangerous than before; they can even hide poison between their teeth!"

Xiao Zong lowered his eyes and glanced at the people on the ground. "They look stronger than before. King Wu has really gone to great lengths to deal with the Leopard Guards!"

The thief argued, "I am not a member of the Prince of Wu's household! Lord Xiao is renowned for his impartial law enforcement; how could he frame a loyal official for personal grudges?"

Xiao Zong smiled sarcastically: "The King of Wu can be considered loyal and virtuous?"

"Gag him and take him back with you!"

"Yes!"

Dou Zhao tied the thief up tightly, like a little chick, and forced him to join the group.

The families of both prisoners were in the hands of the King of Wu, making interrogation difficult. However, there was never a mouth that the Leopard Guards couldn't pry open. By midnight, the two had finally confessed.

Since this involves a prince, his testimony is worthless; whether or not His Majesty believes it is up to him.

With less than two hours left before the morning court session, Xiao Zong, worried about Yuan Zhi, disregarded Dou Zhao's advice and rode back to the Xiao residence.

Yuan Zhi was deep in a beautiful dream. In her dream, the restaurant was packed, business was booming. She sat behind the counter, counting money with her legs crossed, surrounded by handsome men, some serving tea and water, others massaging her shoulders and back, enjoying herself immensely!

suddenly!

Prince Li Rui of Wu led his men to break down the door, indiscriminately killing anyone they saw, regardless of age or gender. Yuan Zhi's silver notes were sliced ​​in two by a long sword. She rose to run, but a gleaming blade swung down towards her…

"Do not kill me!"

Yuan Zhi yelled and sat up abruptly, running his hands around his neck before letting out a long sigh of relief, as if he had just escaped a disaster.

"Having a nightmare?"

"what!"

A man's voice suddenly rang out in the room, startling Yuan Zhi. She looked up and saw a familiar figure. Clutching her chest, she scolded playfully:

"Husband, why didn't you light a lamp when you came back?"

"I didn't want to wake you."

Yuan Zhi pouted, "You might as well have woken me up! You scared me to death!"

"sorry."

Xiao Zong lit the lamp, sat down on the edge of the bed, and began to undo Yuan Zhi's clothes.

Yuan Zhi grabbed his hand, "Do you know what happened to me today? The shop was poisoned. Me, Lan Yin, Feng Chen, Miss Liang and the Ninth Prince, all five of us were poisoned by the Heartbreak Grass and almost lost our lives."

This matter has spread throughout Shengjing; you couldn't possibly not know. Yet not only did you not offer a single word of comfort, you even considered doing such a thing? Xiao Congyun, you're not a man!

In less than a day, Xiao Zong was hurled at with similar insults by two women. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was really that hated.

"In your heart, am I such a beast?" He glared at her. "Let go, let me see if you have any other injuries."

Yuan Zhi withdrew her hand, looking embarrassed, and gave him a kiss in a conciliatory manner.

"I was only poisoned; it was Chen Qing who was injured."

Xiao Zong inquired about Chen Qing's condition, but was still not at ease. He stripped her naked and examined her inch by inch.

Unexpectedly, he actually found two bruises. He rubbed her small, fair knees and said with a hint of reproach, "You said you weren't hurt!"

Yuan Zhi blushed and pulled the quilt over herself.

"I think I bumped into something when I fainted. It looks serious, but it doesn't actually hurt."

Xiao Zong applied a blood-activating and stasis-removing ointment to her, blew out the candle, and lay down beside her fully clothed.

"The poisonous herb is not an ordinary poison. The remaining toxins can cause great damage to the body. I will ask the imperial physician to come and examine your pulse after dawn."

Yuan Zhi moved closer to him, burying her head in his arm like a lazy, sleepy raccoon.

"It's all up to you."

He pulled her close and asked softly, "Were you terrified yesterday?"

"No."

Her voice was muffled, but she was still being stubborn.

He didn't expose you, but whispered in your ear, "There's no need to pretend to be strong or show off. People who like you won't abandon you because of your momentary weakness. The world is cold and indifferent, but not everyone is chasing fame and fortune. Sincerity and true nature are rare, and there may be people who cherish you and love you for a lifetime."

Yuan Zhi covered her mouth and yawned. "Lord Xiao, what you said makes a lot of sense, but I'm really sleepy. I'll think about it carefully after I wake up, and then I'll figure out how to give you my true feelings!"

Seeing that she was not in good spirits, Xiao Zong did not want her to waste her energy, so he helped her adjust to a comfortable position and coaxed her, "Go to sleep."

The rest is all up to him.

If His Majesty refuses to deal with the King of Wu, he wouldn't mind using some special means.

After dozing off for a while, the roosters began to crow. Xiao Zong changed his clothes and rode his horse into the court.

Yuan Zhi slept until the sun was high in the sky again. A maid came over and said, "This servant will first help Madam with her washing and dressing. The imperial physician arrived early and is now in the front hall, taking the pulses of Madam and Consort Zhang."

Yuan Zhi said, "Next time this happens, just wake me up."

"The young master said that you need to take good care of yourself and not overwork yourself. Sleep is a good way to recharge your energy, and he has given orders that we are not allowed to disturb you."

"He handles external affairs, I handle internal affairs. You should both think carefully about whose advice you should take."

The maids exchanged glances: That makes sense!

After her hair was styled into a bun, a maid helped her to the main hall.

Standing beside Madam Xiao were Granny Li and Zhang Hui, with her second son accompanying her to the lower left. At first glance, they really looked like a harmonious family.

After Yuanzhi paid her respects to her mother-in-law and the imperial physician, Zhang Hui spoke rudely: "What kind of mistress sleeps until this late? Madam is so lenient, exempting the young mistress from the morning and evening greetings. You should be grateful, but instead you are taking advantage of her and acting spoiled?"

Yuan Zhi glared at her, "Your mother-in-law hasn't spoken yet, and you, a mere concubine, dare to speak before your master. According to the family rules, you should be slapped twenty times!"

"Considering your pregnancy, your sentence will be postponed. Once the child is born, I will bring people to demand it back from you. Aunt Zhang, do you have anything else to say? Think it over carefully. Look at your frail little body, can it withstand this?"

Zhang Hui stepped forward. "It's not even certain whether you were in the manor at that time, yet you still wanted to punish me?"

Yuan Zhi said calmly, "Those who instigate the master and his mother to divorce shall be punished with ten more strokes of the cane."

"You are cruel and heartless, abusing your servants! I'm going to report you to the authorities!"

"To slander the mistress, twenty strokes of the cane!"

"you……"

Zhang Hui was about to argue when her mother pulled her back. Granny Li whispered, "Are you out of your mind?"

"She's gone too far!" Zhang Hui turned her head. "Madam, you must stand up for Hui'er!"

It wasn't time to break off relations yet, and there were outsiders present. Qin Shi's eyes showed disgust, and she shot Zhang Hui a cold gaze, causing Zhang Hui to immediately shut her mouth.

Madam Qin rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. People from humble backgrounds really couldn't amount to anything. Zhang Hui was only thinking about how to rise to the top in one step; she had no sense of propriety or shame whatsoever. She'd have to teach her a lesson someday!

"Granny Li, take her away."

"Yes."

As Li Mama helped her daughter past Yuan Zhi, she saw the other woman raise an eyebrow and her heart skipped a beat.

I almost forgot about that!