Chapter 523: Community Warmth Delivery

Chapter 523: Community Warmth Delivery

Justice resides in the hearts of the people; when one stands upright, they need not fear shadows. Liu Shuqin has always believed in this truth.

Being innocent, one might feel guilty when resisting, making it hard to clarify anything.

While waiting for the truth to be revealed, some people slandered them, while others sought to clear their names.

Ruo’er couldn’t grasp the intricacies of these interests; she spoke her mind freely, saying whatever came to her head.

Originally staying in the Liu household, waiting for the beast tamer senior in town, she never expected to be caught up in the Liu family’s rebellion, which was incredibly distressing.

Feeling powerless to help, she could only bring meals to Liu Shuqin.

“Sister Shuqin, Sister Luo Yi is still in the city. Why not contact her? She might have a solution. Hm… Sister Shuqin, you’re way too optimistic. The young master said that the future is in our own hands and we cannot just sit back and wait.”

“Though that’s true, Ruo’er, I currently lack the strength to change anything. Acting rashly would only lead to my downfall. It’s not a matter of whether Miss Luo will help our Liu family; she will help if she chooses to, but if she won’t, no amount of begging will change that.”

Liu Shuqin replied seriously. Lin Nuo’s words were right, but she had her own thoughts. Luo Yi was a true princess of the kingdom; if she intended to save the Liu family, she would surely do so. If she did not wish to help, no appeal would sway her.

If she had grievances against the Liu family, thinking them too powerful and a threat to the imperial authority, then she would certainly not help and might even push them deeper into trouble.

Nevertheless, Liu Shuqin still took Lin Nuo’s words about holding the future into consideration. If no one came to exonerate the Liu family, she would definitely rise up against it.

After all, Lin Nuo had also said that being pushed to one’s limits necessitates resistance, so if it came down to it, she must be prepared to fight back.

For now, she would wait.

Ruo’er had no choice but to follow Liu Shuqin’s wishes, lest things go awry.

In the prison, guards patrolled continuously, delivering food and water, and taking prisoners out for execution, among other duties.

At this moment, in the management office…

“You, take this water to the Liu father and daughter.”

Water and food were prepared by designated personnel, and this time, it was a person named Wang Tan who instructed the guards to deliver water, just as he usually did.

The water wasn’t marked, but specifically for the Liu father and daughter, it had been marked for identification.

“Wait.”

At this moment, a man stepped in to intervene.

His name was Zhang Ping, the honest warden, appointed by the Liu family. Influenced by the Liu family’s righteousness, he yearned for justice, following rules without exception.

He looked at the clear water, pulled out a needle, and dipped it in.

It turned black.

“What did you put in there?” Zhang Ping questioned.

“I didn’t add anything; it’s just plain water,” Wang Tan explained.

“If it’s plain water, how can it turn black? You’ve poisoned it.”

Zhang Ping, now angered, declared, “In this prison, we must obey the rules. The order for execution has not yet arrived; we cannot act outside the law. Or do you want to assassinate them? This is against protocol—guards, restrain him.”

Zhang Ping could not tolerate simple poisoning. He always adhered to the rules; executions were executed as per orders, not privately.

Until now, Zhang Ping had authority; the guards would listen to him.

However, today things were different.

It wasn’t Wang Tan who was subdued, but Zhang Ping, who was overpowered by the guards.

“What are you doing? Are you rebelling?!”

Zhang Ping shouted in vain as his subordinates, overpowered by their sheer numbers and strength, held him firmly.

“Zhang Ping, times have changed; it’s time for you to step down.”

A man entered the management office, boasting a mocking demeanor.

“It’s Lord Zhou?! Lord Zhou, I was merely following protocol. Where have I gone wrong?”

“Precisely! You are too law-abiding. And without the Liu family’s backing, how could you have become the warden? With a falling nest, how can there be unbroken eggs? Now, you can step down. Guards, imprison him.”

“Yes, sir!”

Other subordinates turned against him; with Zhou Cheng’s authority now great, they no longer cared for Zhang Ping’s position.

So down he went, at the mercy of their orders.

Zhou Cheng had been enduring the Liu family for a long time and had recommended people to positions of power, disrupting his interests. Now that the Liu family faced trouble, those recommended individuals all had to go, leading to a major shake-up.

“Continue. Deliver the water; ensure the Liu father and daughter’s water is not mixed with others.”

Zhou Cheng continued, recalling past instances where poisoning food or water had occurred. Typically, if anything was discovered, the guards would bear the blame.

The guards understood this too—if the Liu family were truly wronged, and word spread upwards, Zhou Cheng would shift the blame to the guards, claiming they poisoned the Liu father and daughter, distancing himself from the situation.

So now, the guards felt scared, merely doing a job while living under constant dread of being discovered or killed.

Was it easy?

“Hey, isn’t that a new guard? Let him deliver it.”

“Yeah, let him take it.”

The guards found the scapegoat among themselves and called over the new guard.

“Li Tianxiu!”

Newcomer Lin Nuo heard them shout his nickname and stepped over to ask, “Bro, what’s up?”

“Weren’t you just asking where the rebel leader was? Now’s your chance. Take this water there.”

“Oh, okay!”

Lin Nuo politely nodded, quite fortuitously, as he had meant to seek out the rebel leader.

“Also, once they’ve finished drinking, take them to the interrogation room.”

The guard added. The poisoned water had a delayed effect—death wouldn’t occur immediately. About five minutes in, symptoms would show, ensuring they died outside, saving the effort of cleaning up.

All of this would be handled by the new guard Li Tianxiu, thus he would take the blame should anything come of it.

Lin Nuo thought this was fate aiding him, as he still wondered how to get them out of there. Now this was perfect!

So, he loaded the water onto a small cart to deliver it.

But being a careful villain, he had some knowledge from watching historical dramas, so he felt uneasy about the seemingly clear water. He decided to test it first.

He had a poison-testing needle, and after dipping it, it turned black.

What the—it’s poisoned!

This was a plot to assassinate the rebel leader!

Good heavens, they were trying to use him to carry out their plan!

Prisons sure had their pitfalls!

Yet, Lin Nuo remained unperturbed; he anticipated this step.

Should he swap the water now?

He realized that if he rushed to the spot where the water was fetched, the other guards would catch him.

Then he would have to show off his skills and detoxify.

Pointing a bit of powder, known as antidote powder, into the water, it would neutralize any toxin, as long as it wasn’t a legendary poison.

Quickly, the antidote powder dispersed in the water, leaving no trace.

Then he tested it again.

The poison was neutralized; it was safe and would not kill anyone.

Only then did he continue carrying the water over.

Meanwhile, Ruo’er was leaving Liu Shuqin’s cell, preparing to exit the prison.

“Why do I smell the young master’s presence?”

She became curious.