Chapter 72: Xia Liu's B Plan

  To kill and yet avoid suspicion, one must avoid being suspected of oneself.

  How to avoid being suspected?

  Geng Xiao's method is quite adventurous: he endangers himself and also gets poisoned.

  The poison of the lead machine is not a poisonous medicine that sees blood and throat immediately, and its onset time can be delayed for more than an hour according to the amount used.

  At that time, when Song Taizong Zhao Guangyi poisoned the ruler of Southern Tang Li Yu, he used a slow-acting poison. Taking advantage of Li Yu's birthday, Zhao Guangyi sent someone to give him a cup of wine. The emperor gave it to him, how dare he not drink? Li Yu could only finish the wine in one gulp in front of the imperial envoy. This poison, of course, would not take effect immediately, at least some superficial courtesy was still needed, and Zhao Guangyi still had to maintain appearances.

  It wasn't until the evening banquet dispersed that Li Yu's poison began to take effect. At first, this poison could have been treated, but if it had taken effect after the banquet, it would have been difficult for people to realize it was poisoning in the early stages. Because when the poison first took effect, its symptoms were either headaches or dizziness, rapid breathing, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, constricted pupils, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are easily mistaken for excessive drinking, at most giving him a bowl of hangover soup, without thinking much of it.

  When the poisoned person's limbs are constantly flexed and extended, hallucinations occur, convulsions and coma set in, it is too late to invite a doctor at this time. In the end, the poisoned person will inevitably curl up into a ball, with their head and feet touching, resembling a bowstring, and die in agony from suffocation.

  So, when Sun Miaoyi gets married, he can put the medicine in the wine and give it to the newlyweds, Sun Xuelian, and Yang Xu. After the banquet is over, Yang Xu will return home, and there won't be an experienced doctor at the Yang residence who can recognize the initial symptoms of poisoning as a result of excessive drinking...

  As for the newlyweds, it's easy to take care of the groom, he can be poisoned while giving a toast to the guests. The bride, on the other hand, can only be taken care of during the wedding night when they drink the nuptial wine together. To ensure that the bride dies without fail, double the dose of poison in the nuptial wine. By the time the groom starts showing symptoms, it will be too late for the bride to save him.

  At that time, they should have undressed and gone to bed happily. Although they may have felt uncomfortable at first, they wouldn't have dared to call for help. By the time they were in agony, it would have been too late. Only Sun Xuelian, on her wedding day, had sent off the guests and was still busy in her own mansion. As soon as the poison took effect, even if she herself didn't realize she had been poisoned, one of the experienced old men from their family's shop would have noticed something was wrong, and if they were treated in time...

  It seems that when the time comes, I'll have to persuade her to drink a few cups of poisonous wine and then persuade her back to bed to rest. On the surface, I'm still the head of the family, so it's only right that I take care of things like this. By the time they come to rescue me over here, the people at home will have already invited her out again, only to discover that it's too late for an antidote. Hmm, roughly like that - the specific details will depend on how things develop. But no matter what method I use, I must make sure she's beyond saving! She and Yang Xu are the ones who deserve to die the most!

  One day as husband and wife, a hundred days of kindness?

  Nonsense!

  Geng Xin sneered, he wished Sun Xuelian would never give birth again!

  The antidote was also ready, of course he wouldn't prepare the medicine. If he had prepared a special antidote for this rare northern poison in Shengchun Tang pharmacy, it would be like putting a "murderer" sign on his own forehead. However, he had already checked whether the corresponding medicines were all available to ensure that all the rescue medicines were fully stocked in the main medicine cabinet of Shengchun Tang pharmacy.

  Medicinal materials for washing the stomach and inducing vomiting, such as licorice root, mung beans, windproof, hook vine, green ink, ginger, centipede, scorpion, etc. detoxifying medicinal materials... Who would have believed that Gong Yuren, who had almost died from poisoning, was actually the real culprit? On that day, the mansion was filled with distinguished guests, and outside the mansion, there were long tables of food and drink. With so many people around, the officials' suspicion would definitely fall on the mysterious assassin who appeared and disappeared like a dragon, and with the pressure from Prince Qi, they didn't even dare to make a big fuss about it, and their search efforts would certainly be greatly reduced.

  I've finally made it through a difficult time, from now on I can hold my head up high and live with dignity!

  Be a man, live like a human being! When you die, remember that you lived as a person, not just a living turtle!

  Unconsciously, Geng Yun's face was already covered in tears...

  A middle-aged woman with a complete family of parents and children sat in front of her, pulling red silk threads into double-strand crosses, lightly plucking the sweat hairs on her face.

  A woman sang while moving: "Left string, one line, give birth to a noble son; right string, one line, produce a delicate boy. Three lines on one side, steady and smooth, the young lady gives birth to a unicorn... Eyebrows curved like a crescent moon, top scholars in the imperial examination..."

  She put on makeup and styled her hair, and the yellow-haired girl was no longer a yellow-haired girl, but a mature woman.

  Her hair was disheveled and styled into a elegant and charming young woman's high bun, with powder and painted eyebrows, carefully dressed up. She put on the bright red phoenix dress and cloak, and couldn't help but stare at herself in the mirror with wide eyes. The person in the mirror had rosy lips and white teeth, and looked even more beautiful and stunning. Was this beautiful bride really me?

  Staring at herself in the mirror, Miao Yi was also stunned for a moment.

  Is it when she is a bride that a girl is happiest and most beautiful in her life?

  Even if she didn't like that man, marriage is marriage, flowers have bloomed, fruits are ripe, a girl officially becomes a woman...

  The sound of firecrackers is loud and clear, joyful and auspicious, inside and outside the Sun Mansion, everything is jubilant.

  Guests gathered at the Sun Mansion, and the long tables outside the mansion were also crowded with neighbors from all directions. The entire Sun Mansion was decorated with red lanterns and colorful streamers, and the atmosphere was very festive. Even the servants and maids had changed into new clothes.

  "Bowing to heaven and earth..."

  "Bowing twice in front of the ancestral hall..."

  Sun Xuelian and Geng Xin were both dressed in their finest attire, sitting on either side of the main seat, receiving the bows of their daughter and son-in-law. As they watched their daughter, Yan Yan, bow down with her red veil, Sun Xuelian's eyes welled up with tears. She gently turned her head to wipe away the joyful tears from the corner of her eye, and her gaze inadvertently fell upon her husband.

  Geng Xin's body was dressed in a brand new official robe, and the temples exposed under his official hat were flecked with white hair. Sun Xuelian suddenly remembered the day she married him, that day seemed to have passed for a long time, but also seemed like yesterday. Unconsciously, that handsome young scholar had become a middle-aged man over fifty years old.

  In the depths of Sun Xuelian's icy heart, something melted slightly. "Alas! Although he is not a satisfactory husband, after all these years in my family, he has worked hard and endured hardships. I wronged him by entrusting my true feelings to that scoundrel, what did I get in return? Now that I've become a mother-in-law, I should collect my thoughts. From now on... let's live a good life with him, wholeheartedly guarding our own family..."

  Geng Yun felt his wife's gaze, and he couldn't help but turn his head around. Sun Xuelian gave him a gentle smile, this rare smile surprised Geng Yun, and he quickly turned his head back, afraid of being seen through.

  The husband and wife bow to each other, then are escorted into their bridal chamber...

  Peng Ziqi stood with his arms around him in the corner of the wall, looking at the newlywed couple who were exchanging their vows, a thoughtful expression on his face. Xia Liu, on the other hand, was searching for An Litong with her feet raised.

  Last night, someone sneaked into the mansion and stole his waist card. Xia Liu was really shocked, he had thought of destroying that card before, but this kind of thing can be very useful sometimes. Qingzhou is within the sphere of influence of King Qi, a waist card from the King Qi's mansion would have an unexpected effect, even if you look at the whole country, various government offices and regional kings would not dare to offend a king easily.

  The threat from the Imperial Guards may have lessened, but it's not entirely gone. In a matter of life and death, one must always prepare an escape route. This waist token might just be his lifesaver when he's on the run, so he put it away for safekeeping. Little did he know... Fortunately, the nightwalker himself was also someone who couldn't afford to see the light of day, and had no idea how he came into possession of the token. For now, at least, it wouldn't have any impact on him. Relatively speaking, calming down that Imperial Guards Captain An Litong was still the most pressing matter at hand.

  An Litong dressed up in a new look, hiding among the crowd, with a pair of eyes darting back and forth like a startled rabbit, occasionally glancing at him with fear. Xia Zhen saw An Litong, whispered a few words to Peng Ziqi, and wanted to squeeze over to see him. As soon as An Baozi saw his movement, he immediately twisted his stout body and hid further away from him, or else he would go pull a few familiar people to chat with, just not facing Xia Zhen, making Xia Zhen laugh and cry at the same time.

  "Never mind, there are too many people around here, even if he's willing to talk to me, it's not convenient to say anything. Moreover, this fat guy fears me like a snake and scorpion, it seems that talking to him directly is out of the question."

  Xia Mo felt around in his pocket, a self-satisfied look on his face: "Fortunately I was prepared and brought the sleeping pills Ximen Qing gave me. Once the celebration is almost over, I'll toast him with a cup of medicinal wine. Everyone knows he's my good friend, so when he falls fast asleep, I'll pretend to send him back to his mansion, then find a place to wake him up and have a good chat."

  Li Da Yin was also dressed in new clothes and a new hat, bustling about in the hall asking each guest to take their seats, but his eyes were gloomy and fixed on Xia Chuo, as if he were looking at a dead man.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat. Today is my daughter's wedding day. Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. My wife and I are very grateful. Everyone must drink to their heart's content today, no leaving until drunk, haha..."

  Geng Xin got up and warmly greeted the guests. Everyone sat down, and Xia Chou originally wanted to squeeze over to sit with An Pangzi at one table. However, An Pangzi had already squeezed into a crowded table and pulled over a chair to sit down. Xia Chou could only give up for the time being and wait for another opportunity.

  The groom and bride went from table to table, thanking the guests and frequently offering wine. For a time, cups and chopsticks were crossed, and the wedding banquet reached its climax. The wine party was over at noon, but this meal lasted until late afternoon. Geng Xin estimated that the time was almost up, so he excused himself on the pretext of being in a hurry to go to the bathroom and quietly left the living room.

  He went to the kitchen and gave an order, after a while, the fine wine and dishes prepared for sending to the new house were ready. Geng Xin personally saw the old mother use a tray to send that pot of poisonous wine and several small dishes into the new house, only then did he pick up the jug of wine and hurry back to the front hall with peace of mind.

  He wanted to toast with his wife and daughter-in-law table by table, the wine was finished naturally had to be refilled, maybe some guests happened to have no wine in their cups……, what did it matter, one more person died, wouldn't that be even more natural, even more bewildering?

  Geng Xin's face revealed a devilish smile: "Apart from Dad, I have no relatives, no friends, let them go to hell!"