Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven
Shen An'an clenched her fists. Though unwilling, she could only follow behind that person with a heart full of resentment.
Yet, she was also somewhat afraid inside.
Thinking this, Shen An'an could only secretly drop her handkerchief on the ground.
She prayed in her heart that someone would see it.
However, the tightly shut gates of the Li family were destined to disappoint Shen An'an.
Zhu Family Villa
"Miss Shen." Huo Yunyao lay lazily on a chaise lounge nearby, calling out languidly.
She showed not the slightest intention of getting up.
"Madam Zhu?" Shen An'an hadn't expected that the person who summoned her here was actually Huo Yunyao.
She couldn't understand what grievance Huo Yunyao could possibly have with her.
In fact, she had no acquaintance with either the Huo family or the Zhu family.
"Have a seat! Serve Miss Shen some tea." Huo Yunyao paid no mind to Shen An'an's expression, instructing the maid.
"Might I ask why Madam Zhu has invited me here?" Shen An'an asked, looking at Huo Yunyao with a face full of vigilance. She knew Huo Yunyao's methods were formidable, but surely she hadn't provoked her?
Thinking this, Shen An'an felt extremely uneasy. After all, the Shen family was in no position to contend with the Huo family. Even if they could, her father probably wouldn't risk everything for a daughter like her. If forced to choose, her father would likely sacrifice her instead.
This thought brought a wave of desolation to Shen An'an's heart.
"What's the hurry?" Huo Yunyao most enjoyed seeing others look both fearful and helpless.
Moreover, she believed the young girl before her would not possibly resist what she wanted done.
Li Family
"Miss, this servant thinks what Miss Shen said might be true." Qinghua looked at Li Zhiwei and spoke haltingly.
She felt it was possible someone truly wanted the young lady's life, though it was unclear whether that person came from the capital or from Li'an County itself.
But regardless of where they were from, they ought to be on their guard.
"Probably quite a few people want my life by now, all thanks to your prince." Li Zhiwei said dismissively.
"Nothing will happen. He surely cannot get close to here, hence this desperate scheme. Otherwise, why not come directly to our door?" Li Zhiwei continued, unconcerned.
In truth, that person only wanted to warn Li Zhiwei because Li Tianyou had once saved his life. It was just that the Lin estate was now heavily guarded, so he had offered a verbal reminder.
That man's name was Xun Lang.
Although no one in the Li family had noticed Shen An'an's whereabouts, Xun Lang had been secretly observing the Li family's every move. Naturally, he had also noticed someone abducting Shen An'an.
Considering that Shen An'an had come to the Li family because of him in the first place, Xun Lang sighed and resignedly followed behind.
Thinking to himself that he would leave as long as Shen An'an wasn't in danger.
"I..." Shen An'an couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Huo Yunyao actually wanted her to poison Li Zhiwei.
How could she possibly commit such a betrayal of a friend?
"Miss Shen, as I understand it, your father recently accepted an order from a foreign merchant, requiring the delivery of eight thousand catties of fine 'daughter's red' wine. Unfortunately, your family's master brewer just died in an accident, and the other brewers simply cannot produce the 'daughter's red' the client wants." Huo Yunyao said with a smug expression.
Shen An'an's face instantly turned pale. She was aware of this matter.
It was no secret in Li'an County that her father had been searching for a brewer recently, but Huo Yunyao even knew the details of their client's order—something she herself wasn't clear about.
"Madam Zhu, I am not familiar with this matter either." Shen An'an gritted her teeth. Even if she knew, she couldn't trade Li Zhiwei's future for her family's prosperity. She would never forgive herself for that.
"As long as you handle this matter for me, the eight thousand catties of 'daughter's red,' my Huo family will provide for your Shen family. My Huo family's brewers are no less skilled, if not superior, to yours." Huo Yunyao leaned closer to Shen An'an, tempting her.
Shen An'an was so frightened she stepped back directly, her heart pounding wildly.
This temptation... she was tempted.
But her remaining reason told her this was wrong!
"No matter. I'm in no hurry. I'll await your answer!" Having said this, Huo Yunyao signaled for a servant to see Shen An'an out.
Shen An'an left the Zhu Family Villa in a daze, her mind filled with Huo Yunyao's promise that if she agreed, she would help the Shen family overcome this crisis.
But Shen Zhiwei was her best friend. How could she betray a friend?
"Young lady, are you alright?" Qiuyu looked at her young lady and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But seeing her young lady's utterly despondent appearance, her heart sank with alarm.
Could her young lady have been... dishonored?
Thinking this, Qiuyu bit her lip tightly. Earlier, she hadn't known who owned that villa.
Xun Lang, following nearby, was also somewhat puzzled. Wasn't she unharmed?
He had seen clearly that the person she met was that second young lady of the Huo family.
Naturally, she wouldn't do anything to harm Shen An'an.
But her current state was hard not to misunderstand.
"Qiuyu, has father been very busy lately?" Shen An'an suddenly asked.
After all, she only knew her father was very busy, searching all over Li'an County for a brewer.
If those eight thousand catties of 'daughter's red' for the foreign merchant couldn't be delivered on time...
The Shen family's business would definitely be affected.
It's just that with matters of business, she couldn't help her father at all.
"The master does seem very busy lately. I heard the previous master brewer had an accident and passed away." Qiuyu thought for a moment and told Shen An'an what she knew.
But hearing this, Shen An'an's heart sank to the depths. She knew then that if Huo Yunyao dared to speak to her like that, it must be true.
"Young lady, are you alright?" Seeing her young lady's face grow even paler, Qiuyu's heart leapt with alarm. Could her young lady really have lost her virtue?
"I'm fine. Let's return to the estate." Shen An'an's spirits were low, her mind consumed by the question: if the Shen family was truly about to be ruined, should she abandon Li Zhiwei to save it?
She couldn't stop thinking about Huo Yunyao saying that all she had to do was get Li Zhiwei to drink the drugged wine.
Everything else would be arranged by her. Huo Yunyao hadn't even hidden what she intended to do.
Seeming utterly confident that Shen An'an would agree.
"This road was opened by me, these trees were planted by me! To pass from here, leave... leave your money for the road!"
Just as they were about to reach Li'an County, before Xu Heming could even feel happy, he saw a peculiarly dressed person blocking the way ahead.
"Move aside!" Xu Heming's face darkened with annoyance, not understanding where this fool who didn't know his place came from, daring to block his path.
"Well, aren't you a pretty one."
Only when Xu Heming spoke did that person notice his appearance, immediately revealing a infatuated expression as she looked at Xu Heming.
"Where did this ruffian come from? How dare you block my prince's path?" Qingsong frowned, stepping in front of Xu Heming, and rebuked angrily.
"A prince too? Then I like you even more. A prince is most suitable to be my mountain stronghold husband." The bizarrely dressed woman said with an excited face.
