Chapter 111: Don’t Try To Scare Me Here
Going to prison still offers a chance to get out, but if she were divorced, she would have to return to the days of having one meal but no next, how could she possibly get used to life after years of being pampered?
Madam Zhou wanted to open her mouth to beg for mercy, but seeing her own elder sister so formidable yet still silenced, how could she dare say anything?
It was all Jiang Ruanxi’s fault for being too ruthless, not putting her mother-in-law in her eyes at all.
Once she got out, she would definitely make her pay.
However, Madam Zhou did not know that she probably would never have this chance in her lifetime.
Lin Shu saw that the matter was almost settled, then ordered, “Come, take these two to the yamen, this official wants to interrogate them carefully.”
“No…”
Madam Zhou and Madam Kang Zhou said in unison, extremely panicked, “Sir, we know we were wrong, please spare us…”
Lin Shu kept a straight face, unmoved, “Whatever you have to say, save it for the yamen.”
“Stop, they can’t leave yet.” An urgent voice from afar halted their actions.
Jiang Ruanxi looked toward the door and saw an elder from the clan hurrying over.
“Lin Shu, the clan leader is here, wait a moment.”
Soon, supported by several servants, Lin Runkun slowly walked in from the main gate.
His steps were unsteady; without support, he probably could not even walk.
Lin Shu was very surprised and quickly stepped forward to support him, “Uncle, what happened to you?”
It was fine not asking, but upon mentioning this matter, Lin Runkun’s eyes seemed to carry knives as they shot toward Madam Zhou.
Madam Zhou, perhaps feeling guilty, averted her gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.
Lin Runkun said irritably, “What else could it be? Harmed by some vicious person. If not for your aunt seeing it, you all wouldn’t see my old life now.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ruanxi looked toward Madam Zhou and saw her head bowed very low.
It was as if she understood something.
“Uncle, what exactly happened? Who wanted to harm you.” Lin Shu’s expression also darkened.
“This morning, Madam Zhou sent over some pastries, saying it was to apologize for the recent matter. I originally thought we were all family and accepted them without suspicion. After she left, I took a bite, and soon my stomach hurt terribly. If not for your aunt coming in, I fear I would have died long ago.”
Jiang Ruanxi frowned slightly; she had only suspected Madam Zhou of poisoning, but did not expect she really did it.
Lin Shu’s eyes immediately reddened, glaring viciously at Madam Zhou, “You are so vicious. Where has my uncle wronged you that you would poison him?”
To Lin Shu, Lin Runkun’s nurturing kindness was like that of reborn parents; he absolutely did not want anything to happen to him.
Exposed, Madam Zhou panicked inwardly but outwardly remained stubborn, “Nonsense, how could I poison you? You ate the wrong thing yourself, and now you’re blaming it all on me.”
“You still won’t admit it even now?” Lin Shu almost wanted to devour her.
Seeing the situation getting out of control, Jiang Ruanxi reminded, “Lin Shu, don’t get excited first. The pastries my mother sent, the clan leader surely didn’t finish them all. To see if they are really poisoned, why not have a doctor come check?”
Lin Shu suddenly saw the light, but felt a bit regretful inside; he had just been too worried and lost his reason. If not for his sister-in-law’s reminder, he almost messed up the important matter.
He gave her a grateful look, then ordered the servants.
“Come, go call Imperial Physician Yu over.”
To ensure no mishaps, Lin Shu did not trust outside doctors and directly called the imperial physician.
Hearing the imperial physician was being called, Madam Zhou’s face turned ghastly pale.
Her distraught body curled up even more.
Jiang Ruanxi saw this and cold smile inwardly.
Pretending to persuade, “Mother, if it really was you who poisoned, better admit it early. The clan leader might look at our family ties and let it go.”
Madam Zhou’s heart was clearly shaken.
Madam Kang Zhou beside her quietly reminded her.
“Little sister, for something you didn’t do, how can you admit it? We just spent silver and didn’t cause any death; worst case, locked up a few days. But if you admit this, it’s attempted murder, not just prison then. Jiang Ruanxi is usually not good to you; how could she be so kind-hearted? Don’t be fooled by her.”
Madam Zhou was clearly swayed, quickly forcing composure, her face full of angry accusation toward Jiang Ruanxi.
“Jiang Ruanxi, it seems you’ve always wanted me dead, haven’t you?”
“Whether Mother admits it now doesn’t matter. Later, no matter the check result, don’t blame me for not reminding you—attempted murder is a grave crime. If the clan leader forgives you now, it might turn big matter small, small matter nothing. But if he doesn’t later, bearing murder charge, Elder Brother’s official career will be utterly ruined.”
“You, stop trying to scare me here.”
Madam Zhou had a guilty conscience and spoke without confidence.
Jiang Ruanxi persuaded a bit, seeing she wouldn’t listen, said no more.
Lin Shu thought of this vicious woman just harming Lin Runkun and stepped forward wanting to hit her, but remembering she was a woman, stopped a few steps away.
“Madam Zhou, you think not admitting means nothing will happen? I tell you, no chance.”
Lin Shu was official, she commoner; since ancient times, commoners can’t fight officials.
Madam Zhou’s face instantly turned ghastly pale, her mental defenses slowly collapsing.
Just about to admit, but before she could speak, Imperial Physician Yu arrived.
“Lord Lin.”
Lin Shu signaled a servant to bring the pastries and handed them to the imperial physician, “Please check these pastries, Imperial Physician Yu, see if there’s any problem.”
Imperial Physician Yu saw the messy scene around and immediately understood, but did not ask extra.
He took a silver needle from his medicine box, inserted it into the pastries; the needle quickly turned black.
After taking it out, as if accustomed to such matters, he said calmly, “Lord Lin, these pastries are poisoned.”
At these words, everyone seemed to have no surprise.
Madam Zhou’s eyes full of disbelief, she collapsed to the ground, muttering to herself, “How could it be poisoned? It was clearly just a laxative.”
Thinking of something, her face twisted ferociously as she grabbed Madam Kang Zhou’s foot, “Elder Sister, didn’t you say this was just a drug to cause diarrhea and weakness? How is it poisoned? You lied to me.”
Madam Kang Zhou’s eyes turned panicked, struggling to break free from Madam Zhou’s hand, but Madam Zhou gripped too tightly; she could only let her hold on.
