Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Pei Zhihui took a bowl of steaming hot porridge from the food box and put it in her hands, saying, "Sister-in-law, have some hot porridge."

Shen Mo leaned against the railing, watching this scene with a click of his tongue in amazement: "Pei Er, I've known you for ten years, how come I didn't know you had such a talent for serving people? If those people in the capital saw this, their jaws would probably drop."

"If you're bored, go shoo away the flies outside," Pei Zhihui said without turning his head.

Shen Mo dropped his joking tone and lowered his voice: "Hu Biao is determined this time. He bypassed me, the county magistrate, and directly used the garrison to arrest people, claiming that 'military dependents were harmed.' This is a very solid charge. Although I can ensure she is not tortured in prison, getting her released will be difficult."

Holding the hot porridge, the warmth of her hands brought Shen Qiongju back to her senses.

"They want Qionghua Pavilion," she said hoarsely. "General Hu sent someone to hint before that he wanted to invest and also wanted the secret recipe."

"Not only that." Shen Mo sneered, "A few days ago, Hu Biao invited me for drinks, and his words implied the same thing: he wanted me to seal up Qionghua Pavilion and then sell it to him at a low price. I didn't agree, so he took action directly."

Pei Zhihui wiped his fingers, which had just touched Shen Qiongju's wrist, with a handkerchief and said casually, "A mere general doesn't have such a big appetite. Back then, Wen Xiujie was eyeing the Pei family's blueprints, and now Hu Biao is eyeing the Shen family's restaurant. Behind this, it's probably the same group of people feeding them."

Shen Qiongju's heart skipped a beat.

Wen Xiujie.

Yes, in his previous life he submitted the wine recipe to claim credit, so how could he let it go now that he sees this strong liquor, which is comparable to military supplies, and the profits of Qionghua Pavilion?

She was careless; she thought that his demotion to a hundred households would calm him down.

"So what do we do now?" Shen Mo asked. "Take them by force? Hu Biao has two thousand garrison troops under his command."

"Forcibly seizing is the worst strategy."

Pei Zhihui turned around, looking at the flickering candlelight, a calculating glint in his eyes. "Since they want money, let them spit out this hot potato themselves."

He looked at Shen Qiongju, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Sister-in-law, was there any poison in that wine?"

Shen Qiongju shook her head: "Absolutely not."

"What if... there's a poison that can make people 'ugly'?" Pei Zhihui's lips curled into a wicked smile.

Shen Qiongju was taken aback.

Pei Zhihui looked at Shen Mo: "Spread a message to the Wen family. Say that although Qionghua Pavilion's 'Youth-Preserving Wine' is good, if it is not paired with specially made pastries, the face will be covered with red spots after three days, festering and oozing pus, and will never heal. And the only one who has the antidote is Manager Shen."

Shen Mo's eyes lit up: "Hu Biao's daughter, Hu Yuzhen, is obsessed with beauty. If she hears that her face is going to be ruined..."

"She'll tear this prison down," Pei Zhihui said coldly.

Shen Qiongju was stunned.

That move... was too ruthless. But it was also incredibly accurate.

"Don't worry, just stay here." Pei Zhihui turned his head, his gaze lingering on her pale face for a moment, his tone still indifferent. "Although it's a bit dirty here, it's safer than outside. Shen Mo will have people guarding you; no one will dare to touch you."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Uncle..." Shen Qiongju called out to him subconsciously.

Pei Zhihui paused in his steps.

Thank you.

Pei Zhihui did not turn around, but his back seemed to stiffen for a moment before he strode into the dark passageway.

Shen Mochong and Shen Qiongju cupped their hands in greeting: "Sister-in-law, please rest assured. Although Pei Er is a man with a sharp tongue and a black heart, those he protects are beyond the reach of even the King of Hell."

After the two left, the cell fell silent again, with only the faint heat emanating from the incense burner.

Shen Qiongju shrunk in the armchair, her tense nerves finally relaxing.

As long as it's not a water dungeon... as long as it's not a water dungeon, that's fine.

She closed her eyes, trying to take a short nap.

However, just as she was drifting off to sleep, a rustling sound came from the corner.

That chilling, fine scratching sound.

Shen Qiongju suddenly opened her eyes.

A huge, dark shadow was crawling rapidly toward her along the brand-new wool felt blanket.

It was a rat, and a huge rat with blood-red eyes!

"ah--!"

Fear instantly shattered her reason, and memories of being bitten by rats in the water prison of her past life flooded back like a tidal wave. Shen Qiongju screamed and jumped up, knocking over the incense burner in her panic.

The scalding hot coals spilled out, and although no one was burned, the frightened rat suddenly sprang up and bit her ankle hard!

A sharp pain struck, and Shen Qiongju collapsed to the ground, trembling violently as she watched the blood seep out.

Even if Pei Zhihui's plans were flawless, even if Shen Mo changed the bedding.

But the filthy beasts in this prison are ultimately impossible to guard against.

.

The study in the Pei residence was brightly lit.

Pei Zhihui sat at the table, toying with a white jade chess piece in his hand, his fingertips rubbing the cool jade surface repeatedly.

"Second Master." Pei An strode in, looking somewhat flustered. "A message has arrived from the prison."

"What?" Pei Zhihui paused, "Hu Biao made his move?"

"It wasn't Hu Biao." Pei An swallowed hard. "It was...it was the young mistress who was bitten by a rat."

"Click."

The fine white jade chess piece shattered between Pei Zhihui's fingers.

He slowly raised his head, and his usually calm eyes were now churning with a chilling ferocity.

"mouse?"

"Yes..." Pei An lowered his head, not daring to look at him. "Although Lord Shen had it cleaned, in a place like that... it's inevitable that some might slip through the net. The young mistress was frightened, and her ankle was bitten. We've already called a doctor to bandage it, but..."

"But what?"

"But the young mistress seemed terrified, cowering in a corner and not letting anyone near her, constantly muttering 'water' and 'rat'..."

Pei Zhihui suddenly stood up, knocking over the teacup beside him. The scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he didn't feel it at all.

One of the nightmares that often haunts him is that he personally throws his sister-in-law into a water dungeon full of snakes, insects, and rats.

Could it be that she also has such nightmares?

"Prepare the car." Pei Zhihui's voice was terribly hoarse. "Back to the jail."

"Second Master!" Pei An quickly stopped him. "Lord Shen specifically instructed that if you go again, it might arouse Hu Biao's suspicion, which would be detrimental to the young mistress. Moreover... the plan has already begun."

Pei Zhihui closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

After a long while, he sat back down in his chair, but his hands gripped the edge of the table tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"Have Shen Mo find a suitable old woman to go in and keep her company." His voice was extremely low, as if squeezed out from between his teeth. "Tell her that I will pick her up first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

Pei Zhihui looked out at the pitch-black night, the murderous intent in his eyes almost solidifying.