Chapter 278

The next day.

Qin Luoxia made many preparations.

She tied a band around her leg, inside which were many needles - fine needles forged from meteorite iron, excellent for use as hidden weapons.

She generally disliked underhanded methods.

She preferred large swords.

However, society still placed some restrictions on women.

It was generally felt that it wasn't appropriate for women to kill with large swords.

So she had to resort to using smaller tools.

Women in the inner courts tended towards more refined methods of killing.

For example, killing with words, angering someone to death, causing blocked milk ducts, thyroid hormone imbalances, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, uterine fibroids - long-term, gradual efforts that would eventually achieve the goal.

The advantage was low cost and difficulty in prosecution.

The disadvantage was the long timeframe, and side effects that might accidentally backfire on oneself. There was also the risk of failing to anger the target and instead becoming angry oneself.

Poison was another method, which required some initiative and a foundation of medical knowledge.

The downside was that poisoning was illegal, and if discovered would result in legal punishment.

The advantage was that it worked quickly and effectively.

Another method was pillow talk, persuading others to do the killing.

The advantage was avoiding direct criminal charges, at most being an accessory.

The disadvantage was needing sufficient ability to influence through pillow talk, otherwise one would be labeled a poisonous woman. If a bed partner was willing to kill based on a few words from you, it could one day come back on you as well, easily backfiring.

Besides these stereotypical methods.

There was also direct use of weapons.

Killing with swords, knives, axes, hammers, hoes, mallets, clubs, darts... and so on.

The advantage was that it could be quick, though not necessarily - it depended on one's skill level.

The disadvantage was that it was illegal and would result in criminal charges.

In short, murder was against the law and one shouldn't test the law.

In recent days, the court officials had been reciting legal regulations that clearly included this point.

It stipulated that one could not kill court-appointed officials.

It stipulated that one could not kill with knives, poison, assassination... but there were still loopholes, such as angering someone to death, or whispering in the emperor's ear to persuade him to kill...

In any case, Qin Luoxia added some equipment for herself - throwing knives, soft whips, mushroom powder, hidden needles, hairpins that could pierce the skull... before heading to Tai'e Temple.

On the second day, she decided not to bring Mian Mian and Xiao Cong.

She let them stay home and play for the day.

Early in the morning.

Qin Luoxia set out.

The air was slightly chilly, but the sunlight was good. She rode out on horseback.

Gallant and heroic.

...

The air was slightly chilly, but the sunlight was good. Gong Qichi and Jiang Feng rode out together on horseback.

The two arrived at the riverside.

Jiangzhou was named for its location along the great river.

Part of the Jiang family's old residence was situated by the river.

Recently, mobile personnel from Jingzhou had been gradually relocating to Jiangzhou.

Gong Qichi had settled in Jiangzhou as Zi Lu's adopted son. Because Zi Lu had died suddenly without leaving instructions, only three adopted sons - Zi Ganjiang, Zi Wenxin, and Zi Yuanqian - were willing to stay. The others had sought opportunities elsewhere.

In fact, the Seventh Prince's people had also approached Zi Ganjiang.

But he had a good relationship with Jiang Feng, and Old Gong asked him to stay. He felt that Old Gong, despite his usual sly appearance, had not left after his adoptive father's sudden death, but stayed to handle the aftermath and take care of Cong Heng.

Gong Qichi had said at the time that he would stay to look after the young master.

Zi Wenxin and Zi Yuanqian also stayed.

For Gong Qichi, this was not the worst outcome. Even if no one had stayed, it was better than facing betrayal later during an uprising.

Leaving was fine, staying was even better.

Now they knew that Gong Qichi had chosen Jiang Er as his adoptive father's successor, rather than himself.

The others didn't understand why Gong Qichi thought so highly of this person.

He spoke while performing the rescue.

Of course, this wasn't the real reason.

Jiang Feng simply felt that this stretch of river should all belong to the Jiang family, so anything floating by should be picked up.

Frugality and good household management - in this, he took after his mother.

A series of resuscitation efforts followed.

Gong Qichi stood to the side with his eyes closed, watching as Feng'er slapped and pushed the dead girl, trying to revive her.

He felt even more moved inside.

The Jiang family always said they wanted to be bad people, but in reality, they were all pure-hearted.

Indeed, like father, like son.

Perhaps it wasn't yet time for heaven to take this girl.

After a round of slapping, she coughed up a mouthful of water, and the girl actually came back to life.

Miss Dong looked at the man before her, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes.

There was even a spider lily flower above his eyebrow.

Had she seen a ghost messenger?

Do ghost messengers hit people?

"Am I dead?" she asked.

"No, you've been saved."

Miss Dong was dazed.

Looking at the man before her, she saw that his hair was also wet, dripping with water.

The weather was cold, and her body shivered and trembled.

It was too cold; she had woken for a moment but was about to faint again.

She felt herself being lifted up. She had just thought the other person was rough, but with a shake, water came out of her mouth.

I feel like a pufferfish, shaking and leaking water, even leaking air.

Miss Dong E was taken back, and the water in her stomach should have been jolted out during the bumpy journey.

After changing into fresh clothes, feeling warm all over, and drinking hot ginger tea, she finally saw her lifesaver again.

He had also changed his clothes. His black hair was like silk, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. However, the spider lily mark on his forehead was now covered, making him look less bewitching and somewhat simple-minded.

She had just woken up and looked around. This place seemed to be a farmstead.

It was both elegant and rustic.

"Thank you for saving my life, young master. May I ask if you are married? Do you have someone you fancy?"

Jiang Feng shook his head.

"Not yet, and no one."

Dong E gazed at the young man, noticing his clear eyes that didn't shy away. She spoke, "I have no way to repay you for saving my life, so I'm willing to offer myself in marriage. My father is the Minister of Works, and my dowry is substantial. I have no bad habits and have been healthy since childhood. The only issue is that I was once engaged, but the man broke it off, so I'm no longer betrothed. Would you be willing to marry me?"

Jiang Feng was stunned for a moment.

He looked her over again.

Her hair was thick, black, and straight. Her face was round, her lips a bit pale, but she seemed like a girl who loved to smile. When she spoke, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing dimples on both cheeks.

She wasn't the type of girl with devastating beauty, but she had an extremely likable appearance that brought joy just by looking at her. She was definitely the type his mother would like.

Jiang Feng nodded, "If you don't mind that I hold no official position, am poor, and of low status, I'll come to propose."

Dong E carefully examined the young man again.

He was handsome.

The most handsome man she had ever seen.

Moreover, his eyes were clear, and he had saved her life. With such a connection and fate, why not?

Dong E nodded, "Please help me find my servants and maids. They think I tried to end my life, but I actually just fell into the water by accident. I'll reunite with them and return to the capital. I'll wait for you at home."

Dong E thought for a moment, then took out the jade pendant she always wore. It was a chubby fish, very cute and smooth.

She handed the jade pendant to Jiang Feng.

"If you don't change your mind, bring this jade pendant when you come. If you do change your mind, you can sell it for a good price, which can also repay the debt of saving my life."

After saying this, Dong E politely took her leave.

Her walking posture was proud and dignified, befitting her status as the daughter of a minister.

Back in her room, Dong E clenched her fists, forming the shape of the character for "fire" with her body, swaying left and right in the room. She opened her mouth wide, wanting to shout but not daring to make a sound. Like a lively wildcat, she circled the room several times, then rolled on the bed a few times.

...