The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!-Chapter 309 - 306: I Didn’t Ask You to Sacrifice Yourself
Shang Jingwang was well aware of Yu Shikui’s unscrupulous nature, but using him to threaten the Second Young Master was one thing; to further accuse him of being a notorious robber on the run was just a matter of Yu Shikui twisting the truth with his words.
Yu Shikui couldn’t care less about the verbal barbs thrown his way. With a mere lift of his hand, his close confidant, who was holding Shang Jingwang captive, understood the signal and moved his hand to slightly cut Shang Jingwang’s neck. Although it did not hit an artery, blood began to flow out.
Seeing Shang Jingwang in such a dire situation, many villagers began to cry out loud.
The coldness in Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes intensified as he said to Xia Wenjin, "Perhaps you’re right, this man isn’t worthy of living!"
He was reluctant to privately punish his grandfather’s officials, but this man had repeatedly crossed his line. A dignified Court official, a Fourth Rank Prefectural Governor, yet he committed acts like holding a Prefect as hostage, forcing him to surrender.
Where was the conduct of a Court official in such actions? Where was the integrity?
Such a person is not only unfit to be an official; he is unfit to be human!
Xia Wenjin said, "Actually, the old man can make a move; he knows more than just poison!"
The Undying Poison Doctor could poison people invisibly, but not all poisons kill immediately, and not all poisons are fatal. Besides, aren’t there antidotes?
Huangfu Jingchen was somewhat tempted.
But the Undying Poison Doctor suddenly appeared from nowhere, boastfully touched his nose and said, "Little girl, don’t think of having the old man interfere. I just love to watch the excitement, and you can forget about ending it personally!"
Xia Wenjin looked at him speechlessly. Earlier, it was he who offered to deal with those five thousand soldiers, and now he’s saying he won’t end the excitement personally?
A thought struck her, and she said, "Master, do you think someone will help us?"
The Undying Poison Doctor rolled his eyes and said, "I’m old, but I’m no immortal! Unless you call me an immortal, then I might divine a fortune for you? But I can’t actually tell fortunes; calling me an immortal won’t help you!"
In such a tense atmosphere, the Undying Poison Doctor began to bicker senselessly. Xia Wenjin ignored him. What she had said earlier was merely a statement of righteous indignation, without the expectation of Undying Poison Doctor’s intervention.
Meanwhile, Sun Honghai was already shouting, "Hey boy, if you two don’t surrender obediently, we’ll kill Shang Jingwang in front of you."
Huangfu Jingchen frowned and started to walk forward.
Xia Wenjin grabbed him and asked, "Have you... decided?"
Huangfu Jingchen softly replied, "Shang Jingwang cannot die!"
Although Shang Jingwang had no backing or connections and, after over twenty years in bureaucracy, was only a Prefecture official, and even though he had selfish interests and schemes, originally accepting the position because of the promises made by himself, Huangfu Jingchen, over time, had seen that Shang Jingwang cared for the people.
As an official, Shang Jingwang was a hundred times better than Yu Shikui.
He would not allow a good official under his grandfather’s leadership to be killed by a scoundrel like Yu Shikui.
As he walked forward, the soldiers blocking the way instinctively stepped aside, allowing Huangfu Jingchen to pass by. Xia Wenjin remembered she was also wanted by those on the other side and followed suit.
Shang Jingwang shouted anxiously, "Young Master Jin, Doctor Xia, don’t!"
He ignored the blade at his neck, seemingly wanting to rush forward to stop them, but was firmly controlled by Yu Shikui’s confidants. His struggle only deepened the wound on his neck, dyeing his collar red with blood. His anxiety was such that he seemed not to feel the pain at all.
Huangfu Jingchen gave him a signal of slight reassurance with his eyes, halting Shang Jingwang’s reckless actions. Shang Jingwang felt a blockage in his heart; he hadn’t expected Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin to give up their chance for his sake.
With Young Master Jin’s martial arts and Doctor Xia’s wit, they surely could have escaped.
Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin continued walking to the pile of firewood without any intention of fighting back.
Sun Honghai shouted, "Quick, tie them up!"
He feared they would change their minds.
But at that moment, neither he nor Yu Shikui believed Huangfu Jingchen was a royal family kin. What kind of royal would surrender so easily for a mere Fifth Rank Prefect?
Recalling how they had nearly been deceived before, their gazes toward Huangfu Jingchen grew increasingly unfriendly.
A few men rushed forward to tie up Huangfu Jingchen. When they were about to tie Xia Wenjin, Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes moved slightly, as if intending to do something. Xia Wenjin signaled him with a look, indicating he should not act recklessly.
The two were quickly tied securely, and Yu Shikui felt at ease. By then, Shang Jingwang was of no use; with a mere glance, Yu Shikui’s confidant threw Shang Jingwang onto the pile of firewood.
The firewood heap was large, doused with kerosene. Once ignited, not three or five people, even ten or eight, could escape.
Shang Jingwang said anxiously, "Young Master Jin, Doctor Xia, why do this? Yu Shikui won’t let me go, you could have left!"
Huangfu Jingchen’s gaze fell on Shang Jingwang’s face, his expression softened as he said slowly, "Lord Shang, do you remember what I said the first time I met you?"
Shang Jingwang was bewildered, not knowing what Huangfu Jingchen meant.
Huangfu Jingchen said, "I told you, I’m here to bring you opportunities and achievements, not to cost you your life!"
At that moment, his gaze sharpened, and with a flick of his finger, the rope binding him snapped inch by inch. Xia Wenjin too quickly freed herself from the bonds. Xia Wenjin used her rope as a weapon, lashing at the soldiers blocking them, while Huangfu Jingchen lifted Shang Jingwang, using a swift force to break the ropes binding him, and they helped Shang Jingwang move toward the isolation area.
Although now, the isolation area was no longer safe.
Earlier, when Shang Jingwang was captured, Huangfu Jingchen hadn’t intervened as Shang Jingwang had wanted to use the chance to approach Yu Shikui to inform him of the situation in Wangshan Town, hoping Yu Shikui would show leniency.
But now, they all knew Yu Shikui had no interest in the already developed epidemic cure; he wanted the lives of all Wangshan Town villagers.
Having torn off all pretense with Yu Shikui, and with no expectation of a sudden change of heart, there were no longer any scruples.
Xia Wenjin wielded her rope tightly for tying people, but when used for lashing, it inflicted pain. Anyone obstructing them would fall to the ground, rolling in pain from a single lash.
Observing Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin rescuing Shang Jingwang, the villagers’ eyes lit with hope; as long as Lord Shang was safe, perhaps they too would be safe?
Confronted with those hopeful eyes, Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin felt a weight in their hearts. Even though they had prepared a contingency plan the night before, unless a new opportunity arose, they still couldn’t save the villagers.
Everything transpired so swiftly that by the time they reacted, Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin had already brought Shang Jingwang back to the isolation area.
