Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 415 - 413

"How should we explain this to the common people?" Di Shaowei asked, himself unclear about the nature of the mirage.

If even he couldn’t understand it, how could the common people understand?

"I don’t care, let them figure it out." Shangguan Xuanjun replied indignantly.

Would those foolish people, who dare to kill the city guards, even deserve protection?

He didn’t care if they died!

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Shangguan Xuanjun, sighing helplessly!

This was probably why their father opposed Shangguan Xuanjun going to the northwest to investigate the matter!

However, he didn’t want to go at all!

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced over at Xiao’er, sipping her tea calmly. He was going to be away from her side again for some time.

"Just tell the common people straightforwardly that the fairyland they have seen is like flowers in a mirror or moons on the water!" Shangguan Xuanhao suggested his understanding.

"You think the common people would believe that?" Di Shaowei teased angrily.

Even the government’s public notice had no effect!

"Whether they believe or not, we have done our part!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Shangguan Xuanhao commanded.

Xiao Fuzi entered, paid respect to everyone present, then said, "Master, Feng Xing has returned."

Xiao Fuzi’s voice and expression betrayed a sense of urgency and panic.

"Let him come in and report what happened!" Seeing this, Shangguan Xuanyi frowned, and spoke calmly.

"Feng Xing is seriously injured. He is awaiting your return at the mansion."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi immediately stood up, "Girl, allow Shaowei to accompany you home. I’ll leave first."

If he had to hear the report in person, it must be a grave injury.

Otherwise, Feng Xing wouldn’t be so impolite.

Xiao’er nodded in understanding.

Without further ado, Shangguan Xuanyi opened the door and briskly left.

The people remaining in the private room exchanged glances after hearing the news.

"How good is Feng Xing’s martial arts skills? It looks quite impressive, doesn’t it?" Shangguan Xuanhao mumbled, pondering over the person who could have injured Feng Xing.

"Definitely better than yours!" Shangguan Xuanjun scornfully glanced at him.

Shangguan Xuanhao looked innocent. This simple-minded man with physical prowess thought martial arts alone were impressive?

He really wanted to poison him!

"Feng Xing’s martial arts skills are not inferior to mine! There shouldn’t be many in this world who could seriously injure me." Di Shaowei’s mood also turned grave.

"Who are those who could seriously injure you?" Xiao’er asked upon hearing this.

"The world is so vast. How should I know? However, within the Imperial Capital, it would only be your future husband!"

His answer was as good as not answering at all.

"I’m going to the Sixth Prince’s Mansion to take a look." Xiao’er stood up and walked towards the door.

"I’ll accompany you." Di Shaowei quickly followed.

Upon returning to the mansion, Shangguan Xuanyi found Feng Xing lying on a bed, covered in blood with his lips and nails all black.

Seeing Shangguan Xuanyi enter, Feng Xing hurriedly tried to sit up to show respect.

"Lie down, no need for formalities." Shangguan Xuanyi raised his hand to stop him.

Feng Xing complied and lay back down.

Shangguan Xuanyi handed two bottles of antidote to Xiao Fuzi: "Give these to Feng Xing. Let him recover a bit before he gives me a report."

He then left the room.

After taking the antidote, Feng Xing rested for 15 minutes before cleaning himself up to report to Shangguan Xuanyi.

"How are you feeling?" Shangguan Xuanyi noticed that Feng Xing’s lips were less black, but he still asked out of concern.

The antidote was very potent - what poison could leave residual toxins in Feng Xing’s body?

Feng Xing felt a warmth in his heart. "Master, I am all right."

"How did you get hurt? What happened?" Shangguan Xuanyi inquired further.

"Master, after I arrived at the northwest, I disguised myself as a commoner to investigate. I joined a group of treasure seekers. There were tea and food stalls erected outside the city due to the increased number of treasure seekers. Our group, numbering around ten, bought some dry food and steamed buns, and decided to take a seat at a tea stall to eat before continuing out. The owner of the tea stall..."

Feng Xing slowly recounted the details of the incident.

When the tea stall owner asked if they were going to seek treasure, they readily admitted, considering the number of people doing so. He then offered to have his son lead them to the treasure, having found it himself but lacking the ability to enter it. He promised to lead them to the exact location for a fee of one tael of silver, payable upon arrival.

The group eagerly agreed. Splitting the lone tael between them meant each person would only need to pay a few dozen coins, and even if they couldn’t enter the golden gate, they could chisel off a piece of gold. It seemed like a win-win situation.

Feng Xing wasn’t suspicious. He thought the tea stall owner was just attempting to earn some extra silver.

However, as they walked, he realized that the direction wasn’t right!

Feng Xing silently followed. Being part of the investigation, it was better to have discovered something off than nothing at all.

While walking, all ten individuals collapsed, including Feng Xing.

When Feng Xing awoke, he realized he was in a room.

No one else had awakened.

Considering that he was also poisoned, this was no minor matter!

He carefully stood up and crept towards the windowsill to investigate, only to discover they were in what resembled a military training base.

A bunch of soldiers were training.

After observing for a while, some people from the group started to stir, so he quickly laid back down in his original spot. Subsequently, those ten or so began to awaken one by one.

Feng Xing pretended to wake up with them.

In the unfamiliar environment, everyone was frightened, with some people rushing to the door, hammering it, demanding to be let out.

Soon, someone entered. As Feng Xing took a look at the man, he was shocked.

It was Jug Ears! The man they had been searching for a long time. Even if he was ashes, Feng Xing would be able to recognize him.

Who would have expected to find him in this way? It seemed the diligent search was not in vain after all.

Feng Xing glanced at the man, then, like everyone else, glared at him angrily.

Jug Ears didn’t notice anything unusual about Feng Xing. He said a few words and then left.

After hearing Jug Ears’ words, everyone was stunned.

Apparently, they all had been poisoned. Every night the poison would trigger, causing severe stomach pains akin to their insides rotting!

If they behaved, he would give them an antidote before sunset each day. This antidote could only prevent the onset of the poison overnight.

If they dared to disobey or run away, they would not receive the antidote that night!

Even if they managed to escape, without the antidote, in addition to enduring the pain each night, they would essentially rot to death forty-nine days later!

Despite the shocking news, everyone seemed to be in disbelief.