Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 319 - 317

The golden python turned its head to look for Xiao’er, "Master, I’d like to explore these woods."

Xiao’er nodded, asked a few questions based on her guess, and gave a few instructions before letting the golden python go.

Watching the shrinking golden python, Xiao’er touched her slightly racing heart and sighed. It wasn’t due to any infatuation that her heart was pounding. It was the hidden fear and tension deeply ingrained in her instincts that almost took control over her poor little heart!

Fortunately, the golden python glistened in gold. She would treat it as gold, absolutely not a snake! Asleep, it looked like a gold bracelet! A gold bracelet it was!

The snakes dispersed, with only a few tails squirming around on the ground severed in their midsections. Arriving at the scene, Xiao’er got goosebumps all over.

The heads of the snakes had all been chopped off, so they couldn’t possibly bite.

But Xiao’er kept holding a dart tightly in her hand, ready to throw it at any sign of movement.

The emperor was not bitten by any snakes, but the bodyguards and hidden guards weren’t so lucky.

Due to their exertion, the venom spread faster, leaving their hands purple and the faces of a few guards turned slightly black. With nothing but sheer grit did they manage to keep standing.

"These are antidote pills, everyone quickly take one."

Xiao’er tossed a bottle of pills to the fourth-rank sword-bearing bodyguard. She absolutely refused to admit that she was looking at the stuff on the ground, fearing her legs might give way, thus unwilling to walk any closer.

Meanwhile, other officials and their families began to trickle in.

Some women cried out in shock at the sight of scattered bits of snake covering the ground, their hands covered their eyes.

A woman hung onto her mother in fright.

Even those who prided themselves on being strong and brave men felt their legs go weak at this spectacular sight, never before had they desired so strongly to untether themselves from the ground!

Xiao’er found some consolation in their reactions - at least compared to them, she had the courage to face this terrifying sight head-on.

Although everyone was scared by the scene, they did not forget to bow and inquire about the Emperor’s state at the earliest opportunity.

The Emperor raised his hand to reassure everyone present, then casually stepped over snake carcasses to approach the crowd as if he were walking in the throne room.

Seeing the Emperor’s calm demeanor, Xiao’er found herself admiring him for the first time!

The Minister of the Right rushed over to his wife, who had collapsed on the ground, her hands and lips turning black.

"Madam! Madam! Wake up!"

The bodyguards, after taking the antidote, were quickly recovering from their symptoms, while the hidden guards disappeared before the officials arrived.

"Give an antidote pill to the Madam of the Minister." The emperor ordered calmly.

The fourth-rank sword-bearing guard had just swallowed the last pill and awkwardly said after overturning the bottle, "Your Majesty, there’s no more antidote."

The emperor turned to look at Xiao’er.

Xiao’er curtsied, "Your Majesty, that’s all I had in my possession. I’ve given them all out."

"Mother!" Li Yun Ning raced over, not expecting to see her mother fallen, which didn’t align with her initial expectations!

"Mother, wake up! Your Majesty, please save my mother!"

"Imperial doctor! Quickly detoxify the Madam of the Minister!" The emperor instructed the accompanying imperial doctor to save the lady at once.

The imperial doctor rushed over to detoxify the Minister’s wife.

At a hunting event, an imperial doctor would naturally have antidotes handy. However, the Minister’s wife had more than one toxin in her, making the task a bit troublesome.

"When the Madam of the Minister was frightened unconscious by the scene earlier, we were so focused on protecting the Emperor, we didn’t have time to rescue her. Minister, please understand," the fourth-rank sword-carrying bodyguard started to explain.

"Master Huang jokes! If I were there, I too would prioritize protecting the Emperor. There is nothing to pardon." The Minister responded graciously. Never one to reveal his grievances, the Minister reassured his loyalty.

It was only natural that the bodyguards and the hidden guards would prioritize the safety of the Emperor!

Even if he was present, he would have placed the Emperor’s safety first! Family’s safety would come second, as anything short of this would be deemed disloyal. This is the distinction between a ruler and his minister!

"Minister, are you familiar with these snakes?" asked Shangguan Xuanyi, a question that came seemingly out of nowhere.

Familiar with snakes? What kind of question was that? Sixth Prince must have misspoken, thought the officials to themselves.

Minister of the Left also thought Shangguan Xuanyi questioned if he knew what type of snakes these were.

Looking at what lay on the ground, sending shivers down his spine, the Minister of the Left shook his head, "I have no interest in a study of snakes, only recognizing the cobra and the bamboo viper."

"Is that so?" Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t seem to care about his answer and breezily replied with two words. freёnovelkiss.com

Minister was left perplexed about the intention behind his question.

Having grown up with Shangguan Xuanyi, Shangguan Xuanhao understood him like no other, after noticing Li Yun Ning’s pale face and remembering her failed schemes, he laughingly addressed the minister, "It is remarkable that you recognize two kinds, I for one don’t recognize a single one of them! I’ve heard that the Minister enjoys snake soup. I believe you are more familiar with them. This is not the season when snakes are active, and never has it been a case where such a multitude of snakes gather in the royal hunting grounds. The sudden appearance of so many snakes is no coincidence. What the reason might be, I will leave it to the Minister of the Left to investigate. I hope you can give a satisfactory explanation soon."

The double meaning in the Second Prince’s words gave the Minister of the Left anxiety, making him second guess himself, then subtly glanced at his daughter. Seeing her pale, resentful face, his heart missed a beat!

Although the minister was frightened, he didn’t show it, he responded, "I will not fail the Second Prince’s trust!"

Shangguan Xuanhao nodded, "Since the Minister likes snake soup, these snakes are still fresh. Why not take them home to cook and eat? I believe the taste of those audacious snakes that dared to attack the emperor would be quite unique. Seeing Miss Li’s color draining from her face, I remember from medical texts suggesting that ’like cures like’. Perhaps, Minister, you could pick a few to nourish her. Bravery is a necessary attribute for committing mischief! Oops! I misspoke, I meant to say, courage is needed to accomplish great deeds."

Made the subject of ridicule by Shangguan Xuanhao, the already guilt-ridden Li Yun Ning turned even paler.

She assured herself, even she did not expect that so many venomous snakes would show up. All she was instructed was to lead people towards a certain direction and her wish would come true, there was no need for her to know the rest.