Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 56: Who is the Poisoner?

Feng Da’s wife immediately retorted upon hearing what Feng Xuxu had to say.

"It was you, Feng Xuxu, you were the one who said you would compensate us at market value," Zhao, Feng’s wife, followed her sister-in-law’s words, hurriedly adding on.

"That’s right, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be having these frequent flare-ups," Lee, Feng’s wife, not wanting to be outdone, stepped forward, hands on her hips.

"Great-niece, what you said is not right. We were only supporting you when we decided to plant the crop. You prepared the seedlings and you released the fish fry. Now that something has gone wrong with the field, you can’t just wash your hands of it and walk away," Feng Guang squatting nearby said indignantly.

"Exactly, we’ve got the elderly and the young in our big family. No way, Feng Xuxu, you must compensate us right now. We won’t plant the fields anymore," Luo, Feng Da’s wife, said, her heart less certain with each word.

"Yes, hurry up and give us the silver. We won’t plant anymore," Wu, Feng’s wife, rose from the ground all of a sudden without holding back.

"Exactly, we won’t plant either," the rest of them also chimed in one after another.

"Great-niece, look at the state of the fields; why don’t you just give us the silver?" Feng Gang also chimed in from the side.

Feng Xi, seeing everyone pressuring Feng Xuxu, stepped forward, full of indignation to argue, but was stopped by Feng Xuxu. Feng Xuxu coldly observed these so-called uncles, feeling thoroughly disillusioned, and scoffed, "Ha, don’t talk about supporting me by planting rice. You all know very well what you were doing. Now that a problem arises, you don’t even wait for a solution; you just want me to compensate you right now. Do you think I, Feng Xuxu, am a fool to be pushed around at your will?"

"Hey, you wretched girl, we just won’t plant anymore, you better hurry up and give us the silver. You were the one who promised us in the beginning. Now you’re going back on your word and refusing to compensate; have you no shame?" Ma, Feng Xiang’s wife, stepped forward to say.

"Right, let’s have everyone judge this. Feng Xuxu doesn’t want to let us live. This heartless creature, are you trying to starve us all to death?" Zhang, Feng Jian’s wife, took advantage of the situation, seeing that the villagers were all witnessing the scene, hoping to pressure Feng Xuxu then and there.

"Feng Xuxu, that’s where you’re wrong. No matter how you look at it, these people are your uncles and aunts by blood. You really want to drive your uncles and aunts to death? This is against all conscience and will bring divine retribution," the wife of Feng Four stepped out with her hands in her pockets, standing not far away, flipping her triangular eyes, fanning the flames.

Feng Xuxu now deeply regretted her unconditional help to them in the past, but there was no medicine for regret. She would have to swallow this bitter fruit by herself. However, unwilling to let the person behind this go unpunished, she secretly vowed that she would make the person responsible regret their actions dearly.

"Compensating with silver is not out of the question, but it must be clear who will compensate everyone." Feng Xuxu no longer let her emotions control her and looked at the crowd as if they were strangers.

"Who will compensate everyone? Stop twisting the truth, Feng Xuxu. If it wasn’t you, what? Was it a ghost?" Luo, Feng Da’s wife, hearing the first part thought there was an opening, but upon hearing the rest, felt like she was being played for a fool.

"If you won’t listen to me out, then let’s end this here and wait for the authorities. Once the official arrives afterward, we’ll see if you can get what you want," Feng Xuxu said calmly, standing her ground, looking at these so-called uncles and aunts with a disgust that was difficult to suppress, and then turned away, no longer wanting to face them.

"You little hussy, don’t think you can scare us. Hmph, I refuse to believe the authorities would be unreasonable. Would they listen to a greenhorn like you?" Zhao, Feng’s wife, stepped forward to bolster her sister-in-law.

"Believe it or not, just give it a try. I’d also like to see the authorities, to find out exactly who’s been poisoning our fields." Her statement shocked everyone. As they regained their senses, they began questioning Feng Xuxu with a mixture of incredulity and confusion.

"You’re not trying to shirk responsibility by fooling us, are you? Who would be so bold as to poison? That’s a capital offense, it could cost one’s head," said Feng Da’s wife, Feng Luo, upon hearing about the poisoning. Her legs went soft with fear, for what kind of deep hatred must a peasant harbor to consign someone to death.

"Fooling you? What’s there to fool you about? Look down at the fish on the ground, they have: one, a grayish white appearance with a grayish white film over the eyes; two, grayish white gills with spots of bleeding; three, the fish bellies bloated up in a short time. These are all symptoms of being poisoned to death. You really think that when the officials come, I would have to compensate you with silver?" Ridiculous. Instead of searching for the real poisoner, they turn to question me instead.

"Well... how about we find a doctor to have a look, just to be sure?" Feng Da suggested upon hearing this, thinking it made sense. If they were to wait for the officials, there was no guarantee they could get any compensation. It would be better to confirm it—what if Feng Xuxu was just trying to scare them!

"Hmph, no need, I’ve already called for the best doctor in town," said the village chief, Feng Tiemu, standing outside the crowd. He spoke coldly.

When everyone saw the village chief had arrived, with an old man carrying a medicine chest behind him, someone with sharp eyes recognized him as the famous Doctor Hu from Yangsheng Hall Pharmacy in the town.

"Look, the well-known Doctor Hu from Yangsheng Hall"

"Doctor Hu, please have a look," the village chief led Doctor Hu over to the crowd, asking him to examine the dead fish and figure out what had happened.

Hu Youwei first glanced at Feng Xuxu, then crouched down to inspect the dead fish. After a short moment, Doctor Hu softly announced, "These fish have been poisoned with arsenic."

At that, there was an uproar among the crowd, speculating who could be so cruel as to use arsenic—clearly someone intent on killing!

"Village chief, we must find the person who poisoned the fish. Such a person cannot be allowed to remain."

"Yes, it’s too cruel. They don’t want to let a whole family live."

"Isn’t that right? How deep a grudge must one hold to commit such a deed?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Village Chief Feng, if there’s nothing else, this old man will be taking his leave." Doctor Hu, feeling dizzy from all the commotion, turned to say goodbye to the village chief. He walked off, flinging his sleeves, casting a meaningful glance at Feng Xuxu as he passed by.

"Village chief, though it’s clear someone used poison to kill, this is obviously targeting Feng Xuxu. It’s not like we could all have a grievance with the same person," Feng Zhang’s wife commented with a pout.

"Since this matter started because of me, then let it end with me. I will give you an explanation within ten days," Feng Xuxu turned to face the village chief and said a few words before pulling Feng Xi into the house.

After listening, the village chief spoke to the people in the courtyard, "Go on back, everyone. Feng Xuxu has said she will find the poisoner, and in due time, you will all get an explanation."

Before long, the courtyard grew quiet. Only the village chief remained.

"Xuxu, what exactly is going on? Who could be so vicious?"