Chapter 20

The two sides were in a stalemate, neither making the first move.

He Zhiran did not make a move, not because she was afraid of these officers, but because she did not want to make a big fuss out of this.

After all, the road ahead was still long. Making a big fuss over such a small matter would not benefit the Mo Family.

As for those officers who had not put down their weapons, they were indeed deterred by the aura of Old Lady Mo and He Zhiran.

At the same time, the other Mo women, including the timid Mo Hanyue, also came over.

Although their hearts were still a little apprehensive, they resolutely stood there to support their mother-in-law and ninth sister-in-law.

In the midst of the stalemate, the people of the three families besides the Xie family spoke up.

"Officer, don't be fooled by the Mo women. They just want to confuse you and avoid the pain."

"He's right. The Mo Family's contribution was the old Duke and his eight sons.

Even if they didn't die on the battlefield, they would have been angered to death by Mo Jiuye, the traitor.

Even we were implicated by Mo Jiuye. How can there be any leeway in dealing with such a person?"

"That's right. The Mo women have all been brainwashed by Mo Jiuye. Not a single good one among them."

"Officer, hit them. Don't go soft."

The Xie family was in a dilemma. They hated the Mo Family, but they also knew this matter was provoked by Xie Fang, and the Mo Family was indirectly helping them by assisting Xie Fang.

After thinking it over, Xie Tianhai still spoke up with justice.

"I don't care what Mo Jiuye did. All I know is that most of these women are the widows of heroes.

There is no doubt that their late husbands died on the battlefield for the sake of the Great Shun Dynasty."

The He, Li and Fang families originally thought the Xie family would side with them. They did not expect them to be so stupid as to speak up for their sworn enemies who confiscated their property and exiled them.

For a time, the three families directed their spears entirely at the Xie family.

"Xie Tianhai, don't forget why your whole family was exiled."

"Xie Chao, Xie Ming, your father must be muddled in his old age. Quickly take him back and don't get involved."

Seeing the situation in chaos, the officers hurriedly shouted:

"Shut up, all of you! Do you want to be beaten?"

Hearing this, the scene instantly became silent.

They had seen with their own eyes the officers wielding whips. No one wanted to suffer that pain.

Just then, the leading officer, Peng Wang, suddenly cried out and quickly crouched down clutching his right calf.

"Ah...snake..."

Seeing this, the other officers raised their weapons and became alert.

He Zhiran's original intention was to get along well with these officers. After all, having people to take care of them on the road would increase the Mo Family's chances of survival.

She did not expect what just happened. Helping her sister-in-law was unavoidable.

Now that Peng Wang had been bitten by a snake, she thought, this was her chance.

When those officers were looking around for the snake, wielding their weapons, He Zhiran's whip was already cracking through the air.

Unerringly, it landed right on the snake's weak spot.

This body was frail, so naturally the force could not compare to her previous life.

Although she hit the snake, it was still coiling in place, just much slower now.

Because of her actions, the officers also found the snake. Someone deftly raised a blade and hacked at it.

Although He Zhiran did not kill the snake with her own hands, she made the greatest contribution.

If she had not promptly located the snake, it was hard to say whether the other officers might also have been bitten.

But years of habit prevented them from softening towards a prisoner.

What's more, who knew whether she really helped them, or if it was just a fluke?

He Zhiran did not look at the officers' expressions. Instead, she focused on the snake.

She recognized this species. It was the extremely venomous silver ring snake.

The venom of the silver ring snake is a neurotoxin that affects the function of the nervous system.

Soon after being bitten there is localized pain, but the pain is not very obvious. Usually numbness, loss of motor coordination, ptosis, dilated pupils, paralysis, breathing difficulties, respiratory failure and other symptoms appear within a few hours after the bite.

Without timely treatment, it can be fatal.

As a doctor, He Zhiran kindly reminded them:

"This snake is highly venomous. It's best if you first find a rope to tighten around his knee to prevent the venom from spreading, then..."

"Where are there so many poisonous snakes? If this was really venomous, could I still be jumping around like this?

I was just startled earlier. The wound doesn't even hurt much anymore. There's nothing serious."

To prove he was fine, Peng Wang nimbly stood up.

"You there, keep this snake. It'll make a nice snack tonight."

Seeing Peng Wang's indifference, He Zhiran simply closed her mouth.

She had said what needed to be said. If they didn't believe her, there was nothing she could do.

She would just wait for them to come begging her for help.

Don't try to force a sale!

He Zhiran turned around: "Mother, let's go back!"

"Alright, everyone go back." At Old Lady Mo's order, all the Mo women returned to their places.

After what had happened, and with He Zhiran taking the lead in locating the snake, the officers decided to turn a blind eye and not pursue the matter further.

The group had just sat down when Second Sister-in-Law sidled over to He Zhiran and guiltily said:

"Younger Sister-in-Law, thank you for helping me escape a beating."

"Second Sister-in-Law, we are one family. Helping you is only right."

"Oh...it's all because I was impulsive. I knew those officers would beat people, yet I couldn't help but go demand justice for my nephew."

He Zhiran also noticed this sister-in-law had an impulsive personality.

Although she did not blame Xie Fang, she still needed to give a reminder.

"Second Sister-in-Law, our circumstances now are different than before. It's best to discuss things with everyone first before making decisions."

"Younger Sister-in-Law, don't worry. From now on, I'll tell Mother and you about anything beforehand."

He Zhiran felt that was enough admonishing for now.

She got up and brushed the dust off herself.

"There are bushes all around us. More snakes could appear. I'll go take a look."

Listening to He Zhiran's words, Mo Jiuye became even more curious about her.

He could not possibly know nothing about a woman he had been betrothed to for many years.

In Mo Jiuye's mind, He Zhiran was just a brainless young miss who was also very spoiled.

However, after just one day of interaction, this woman did not exhibit any of the traits he knew she should have.

Not only that, she also had the ability to silently empty the national treasury, as well as the weapon she used to kill Cao Ren. It was simply unprecedented. No matter how much Mo Jiuye racked his brains, he could not figure out the reason behind it.

Moreover, every word that came from her mouth was sonorous and forceful, no less so than the eloquent officials in the court.