Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Zhang Fei remained silent for a moment, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He and Hu Biao had known each other for over twenty years, going through thick and thin together, and later they co-founded Tiger Head Village.

Hu Biao had been following him for the past few years and had even saved him once.

To escape King Cheng's pursuit, he disfigured himself, but that was only one reason. There was an even more important reason, which was...

There were many things he couldn't do by going down the mountain, so he mostly did things like robbing and pillaging outside.

Hu Biao also manages many affairs in the village.

You could say they were his right-hand men.

Besides, this brotherhood has been going on for more than just a day or two, how could it be severed so easily?

However, Tao'er and Chef Wang's accusations were so conclusive that he couldn't help but have doubts.

The First Madam spoke softly, "Chief, I know about your relationship with the Second Chief, but this matter concerns your life and the future of the entire stronghold. There can be no ambiguity."

Zhang Fei took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

His tall and strong figure cast a long shadow in the morning light: "Alright, let's go to Hu Biao's place then."

Xiao Si, take a few people and come with me.

A middle-aged man standing to the side clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Yes, Boss!"

"Little Peach, Chef Wang, you two come too."

Zhang Fei's voice was heavy.

"If you have wronged the second-in-command, you know the consequences yourselves."

Tao'er nodded calmly: "Little Tao understands."

"I understand!"

Chef Wang nodded as well.

"Master, I'll go with you!"

The First Madam suddenly spoke up.

The head of the gang glanced at the first wife suspiciously, but still nodded. "Let's go together!"

Because the first wife usually doesn't talk much and doesn't care about things in the village.

Every day I spend my time with my daughter, Yaya.

The group walked out of the courtyard and headed towards the residence of Hu Biao, the second-in-command.

When the brothers in the village saw their leader leading a group of people with a solemn expression, they all stopped what they were doing and began to whisper among themselves.

Hu Biao's courtyard was located on the east side of the mountain stronghold. It was slightly smaller than the chief's residence, but still quite impressive.

The two guards at the gate saw the chief arrive and quickly bowed.

"Is the second-in-command inside?" Zhang Fei asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes, I'll go and inform them right away."

One of the guards was about to turn around and go inside to report.

Zhang Fei waved his hand: "No need, I'll go in myself."

The courtyard gate opened, and Hu Biao was lying on a recliner in the courtyard, humming a frivolous tune from the opera.

Seeing Zhang Fei enter with a group of people, he was taken aback at first, then stood up with a smile: "Brother, what brings you here?"

"Why did you bring so many people? What important matter is this?"

Hu Biao had just realized that he might have moved a little too roughly when he let out a cry of pain, rubbing his buttocks and yelling in pain.

He was wearing a dark blue long robe, but his eyes were fixed on Tao'er and Chef Wang behind the boss.

I wondered why the two of them came together.

Could it be that this kid failed in his mission, and that brat went to complain to her older brother?

Zhang Fei stared at him for a while, then plopped down next to the stone table.

He then slowly spoke: "Second brother, I have a question for you, and you must answer truthfully."

Hu Biao sensed the awkward atmosphere and his smile faded: "Please speak, brother."

"Someone said you poisoned my food. Is that true?"

Zhang Fei went straight to the point, his eyes fixed on Hu Biao's face without blinking.

Hu Biao's expression changed drastically, first in shock, then in anger: "Who is framing me?"

Brother, we've been brothers for so many years, how could I do such a thing?

"I'd rather poison myself than let anyone poison your food!"

"Chef Wang said that you instructed him to put drugs in my food."

Zhang Fei's voice was icy cold.

Hu Biao suddenly turned to Chef Wang, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Chef Wang, I have always treated you well, why are you framing me?"

Don't forget how many favors you and your family of three have received from me!

Is this repaying kindness with enmity?

Tao'er immediately knew that Hu Biao was making a blatant threat.

Chef Wang was trembling with fear, but thinking of his wife and daughter's safety, he mustered up his courage: "Second Master, you clearly told me to do it, how can you deny it?"

You said it was a laxative, but it turned out to be highly poisonous. If it weren't for Miss Xiaotao discovering it early, the chief would have already…”

Hu Biao shouted sternly, "Shut up!"

I never let you do such a thing!

Brother, this is clearly someone trying to sow discord!

That brat must be holding a grudge against me, so she instigated Chef Wang to say that.

Don't you know who I, Hu Biao, am?

How could I possibly allow someone to poison you!

Hu Biao continued to deny it; he couldn't possibly admit it.

At this moment, Tao'er stepped forward: "Second Master, I saw Chef Wang put poison in the food that night, and afterwards I found a dead rat where the food was thrown away."

Furthermore, Chef Wang confessed that you instructed him to send people to insult me, claiming it was in retaliation for me ruining your plans.

Hu Biao's expression changed, and his eyes were filled with hatred as he looked at Tao'er: "You woman, you've been causing trouble ever since you came to the mountain stronghold!"

When did I do these things?

Don't frame me!

"Hu Biao, your brother is asking you, did you ask Chef Wang to put drugs in my food? Did that happen?"

Zhang Fei stared intently at Hu Biao, who finally nodded. "Brother, that's true, but it's a laxative, not poison!"

That brat made me lose face and even got me punished. I hate her so much!

Then he came up with a way to punish her, hoping you would get rid of her.

Brother, you have to believe me, I really didn't give him any poison.

It must have been him and that little bitch who conspired to harm me.

You have to believe me…”

Knowing he could no longer deny it, Hu Biao simply admitted that he had indeed instructed Chef Wang, but emphasized that it was a laxative, not poison.

The leader frowned.

The First Madam suddenly spoke, her voice still gentle, "Second Master, you seem very nervous."

If you really didn't do it, why are you so agitated?

"Perhaps we should have the boss send men to search your residence. If there's truly no evidence, it will clear your name."

A flicker of panic crossed Hu Biao's eyes, but it was fleeting and was keenly caught by Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei's heart sank. He waved his hand: "Xiao Si, take some men in and search."

Hu Biao said angrily, "Brother, don't you believe me?"

They're actually going to search my room?

After all these years of brotherhood, you'd rather trust a woman of unknown origin and a cook?

"If you are truly innocent, what harm is there in searching for you?"

"It's precisely because of our brotherhood over the years, and because you're the second-in-command, that I need to investigate thoroughly. I can't allow any misunderstandings to arise between us, and I certainly can't let the brothers of Tiger Head Stronghold misunderstand you."

Zhang Fei waved his hand.

Xiao Si led a few people into the house.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Hu Biao's face was ashen, his hands clenched into fists, veins bulging.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Si came out with his men, holding a small porcelain bottle in his hand: "Boss, we found this in the hidden compartment under the Second Boss's bed."

Zhang Fei took the porcelain bottle, opened it, smelled it, and his expression changed drastically.

He poured out some powder and sprinkled it on the ground, then had someone bring a cat-chicken.

After the chicken pecked at the powder, it soon collapsed, convulsed, foamed at the mouth, and died.

Everyone in the courtyard gasped.

"Second-in-command, what else do you have to say?"

The poison was found in your house.

You are harming yourself and others. I have no grudge against you, yet you make things difficult for me at every turn.

Didn't you expect that, after hunting geese all day long, you'd be pecked by them?

Tao'er stared coldly at Hu Biao, the second-in-command; today she was going to get rid of him.

This brings her one step closer to her plan.

The leader, Zhang Fei, had a livid face and a look of utter disappointment. "Hu Biao, what do you have to say now?"

Hu Biao's face was ashen, but he still forced himself to remain calm and let out a cold laugh, "Hahaha..."

Brother, what's a bottle of poison?

You've probably forgotten what we do for a living, haven't you?

If we didn't have poison or something in every room, how would we make a living or rob people?

Brother, can't you see it yet?

They just want to get rid of me…

Hu Biao pointed at Tao'er and Chef Wang and said viciously.