Xu Hongchuan sneered, took out an object wrapped in a handkerchief from his bosom, and threw it to Qi Yue. "Old Fifth, this was sent over last night by Madam Chen and her daughter-in-law along with Honey Three Knives. Take a good look to see what's fishy."
Qi Yue opened the handkerchief, and a strange fragrance wafted out. He immediately held his breath. Upon closer inspection, there was a Purple Sandalwood Hairpin inside.
Upon seeing the hairpin, Madam Chen's expression immediately changed, and she anxiously glanced at Jiang Yuanfa.
Jiang Yuanfa was even more terrified. If it were discovered that they dared to poison an official of the court, they would truly be ruined and exiled!
Qi Yue carefully picked up the hairpin and sniffed it. Then he quickly wrapped it back up and said seriously, "This hairpin has been soaked in an aphrodisiac oil. It contains at least Cnidium Monnieri and Epimedium. A man would be unable to resist after smelling it for just a moment."
He suddenly remembered that when he encountered the two of them last night, he had smelled a fragrance, and it was this smell!
Madam Chen's face gradually turned pale, and she thought, This is bad, how did Xu Hongchuan figure it out!
Xu Hongchuan sneered, "Poisoning an official of the court, I see you aren't afraid of death! Qi Yue!"
Qi Yue immediately cupped his hands, "Present!"
Xu Hongchuan glared at Jiang Yuanfa and Madam Chen and said sternly, "Take these two down! Bring them back to the Dusi for interrogation!"
Madam Chen was so frightened that her legs went weak, and she almost fell to the ground.
At this moment, Rongyue walked out of the main room. She had just heard Qi Yue's words. So, the "aphrodisiac" that her husband was talking about was real! It was on the hairpin that her mother-in-law had given her!
Originally, she had thought her husband had lost control and forced himself on her, but it turned out it was because of a drug!
No wonder he had repeatedly insulted her, she didn't realize he was not in control of himself.
Rongyue stumbled out of the main room, looking at her mother-in-law in disbelief, Why did she do this?
Last night, when she gave her the hairpin, she felt something was amiss.
Her mother-in-law usually only gave her old clothes that she didn't want. Last night, she suddenly gave her a "family heirloom." It turned out to be for this reason!
Jiang Yuanfa was originally terrified, and seeing Rongyue come out, he quickly said, "You child, where did you get this hairpin? You're making the Commander misunderstand us."
Rongyue looked at her father-in-law with a look of shock, and then looked at her mother-in-law, feeling wronged. She was about to speak when Madam Chen strode forward, and with a "slap," slapped Rongyue hard across the face and scolded, "You little slut! You've lost face for our Jiang family!"
Rongyue staggered from the slap, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were also moist. She said, aggrieved, "How can Mother say such things?"
Jiang Yuanfa was feeling guilty, fearing Rongyue would tell the truth, he hastily nodded and bowed to Xu Hongchuan, "Sir, this is all a misunderstanding. This commoner wouldn't dare to poison you. It was just a coincidence. It's all a misunderstanding."
Rongyue's cheek immediately turned red from the slap. Xu Hongchuan glanced at the blood on her mouth, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Jiang Yuanfa and Madam Chen, without saying a word, not knowing what he was thinking.
Seeing that Xu Hongchuan didn't speak, Qi Yue didn't take action to arrest them either. He was clever and naturally understood that Xu Hongchuan was just trying to scare the two of them. It would be difficult to handle the situation if they were arrested.
Jiang Yuanfa, seeing that Xu Hongchuan wasn't continuing to flaunt his authority, cautiously smiled and said, "We disturbed you last night, we'll leave now. Thank you for letting us stay."
With that, he winked at Madam Chen. She, being not so stupid, knew to back down. Otherwise, if she were really caught and taken to the Dusi's prison, there would be no way out.
Reluctantly, she and Jiang Yuanfa gave Xu Hongchuan a big bow, then glared at Rongyue and scolded, "Hurry up and leave!"
At this moment, Manager Liu and Wang Shiqi also entered the courtyard. They had also heard the commotion and rushed over. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw everyone's different expressions, and they knew something had happened.
Rongyue saw more and more people gathering in the courtyard, and she was so ashamed that she wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Her in-laws were pretending to leave. She lowered her head, wiped away the tears on her face, and also gave Xu Hongchuan a big bow, then turned and limped behind her in-laws.
Xu Hongchuan stared at Rongyue's slightly trembling body bowing to him, and a complex emotion welled up inside him.
He stared at Rongyue's staggering figure, naturally knowing that she had just lost her virginity. He had also fucked her hard, and she was likely in a lot of pain.
Xu Hongchuan instructed Manager Liu, "Uncle Xu, send them back in a carriage."
Wang Shiqi was slightly surprised, Why is the boss being so polite to these people?
Manager Liu respectfully agreed, and Wang Shiqi said, "Boss, I'll see them out of the city."
He was thinking, These people might have some other scheme, it would be reassuring to watch them leave the city.
Xu Hongchuan nodded. The people in the courtyard gradually left, leaving only Qi Yue, who narrowed his phoenix eyes, looking at Xu Hongchuan with a playful expression, and said, "Boss, the aphrodisiac in that hairpin is far less potent than the one you took last time."
That time, the aphrodisiac was put in the wine, and Xu Hongchuan had drank three jugs. When he got back, he soaked in cold water for three hours, and had to drink another seven or eight doses of medicine before recovering.
Xu Hongchuan gave Qi Yue a light look and said lazily, "Stop being nosy."
Qi Yue chuckled a few times, and Xu Hongchuan turned and went back to the main room. He also asked, "When will Lin'er and the others arrive?"
Qi Yue followed and replied, "Well, the letter says they'll arrive at the end of this month. I'll go with Old Fourth to pick them up. But the letter also says that Miss Liang, from Minister Liang's family, is also coming."
Xu Hongchuan stopped in his tracks and frowned slightly, "Why is she coming too?"
Qi Yue said with a chuckle, "The letter didn't say. I also find it strange. A young lady from a noble family shouldn't travel far without her father or brothers. I suppose she misses you, and can't bear the longing."
The fact that Liang Qingning, the fourth miss of the Ministry of Rites' Left Minister, was in love with Xu Hongchuan was no secret in Shuntian Prefecture. This Miss Liang was bold, and once she saw Xu Hongchuan, she clung to him like a plaster, and couldn't be shaken off.
Xu Hongchuan gave Qi Yue a look, "Stop being so frivolous and joking, or I'll watch out for you!"
Qi Yue winked and said, "You're getting the benefits and still acting aloof. To tell the truth, Boss, you are very fortunate in love."
Before Xu Hongchuan could speak, Qi Yue, with a mischievous grin, ran away.
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