Volume 1: This Heart of Mine Chapter 14: Whoever wants me dead will be destroyed by me!

  Every year, on the second day of the second month, Anzhou holds many celebrations for the Dragon Head Festival. This year, with the presence of Duke Jin, it will be an even grander event. I heard that this year on the second day of the second month, not only will there be a "Flower Tide Competition" where women participate, but also the young masters from various households in Anzhou will compete in literary and martial arts. Therefore, not only are the young ladies from each household exerting themselves to make a big show, but the young masters have also been busy searching for teachers to help them prepare some excellent phrases to impress Duke Jin and gain his favor. Taishi Lan thinks that before Duke Jin leaves, they will all lose interest in competing with her.

  She felt so bored because of this.

  So I strolled around the garden for nothing, thinking that Rong Chu was going to get kicked out, it's really the best news I've received recently.

  She strolled through the garden, with no one by her side. People all kept a distance from her, afraid that she might accidentally fall into the lake or go crazy or something.

  Suddenly, a person appeared in front of her, brushing aside the flowers and leaves along the way. Her demeanor was even more carefree than hers, and it didn't match the busy atmosphere of the entire mansion at all. Ta Shi Lan took one look, and her eyes softened slightly.

  He is Shi Shuitao.

  She was the closest to this young master of the Yi family, the warmest youth in the Yi household. Tai Shi Lan's attitude was much better, "How do you have time to hang out here?"

  "Sister." Ti Shitou was also surprised, smiling and rubbing his head, "Master said that the art of literature and martial arts, I have learned enough now, what is lacking is experience and vision, this requires traveling thousands of miles, seeing the world's scenery to be complete, it doesn't matter about the trivial Anhui province's literary and martial arts gathering."

  "Young master is the number one prodigy in Anzhou, why would he need to resort to such tactics like other young masters?" A maid beside him smiled coyly.

  "Mo He, don't say that, the brothers will laugh." Yi Shi Tao rebuked with a smile still on his lips, seemingly quite fond of this lovely maid.

  Tai Shi Lan glanced at the maid called Mo He, and instinctively disliked her. Her dress was more elegant than that of an ordinary maid, but what she said earlier wasn't a good thing to say - was it because of naivety or intentional? Moreover, her eyes flickered, although she was smiling, but with a heavy-hearted look, which only Tai Shi Lan couldn't see through.

  However, Tai Shi Lan wouldn't normally bother with a passerby like him. Instead, she became interested in the "husband" mentioned by Wei Shi Tao, "This husband of yours seems to have some insight."

  "That's right." Tai Shi Tao smiled proudly, then his face fell, "But Mr. Li is not a guest in my mansion, he is a teacher I met at the academy outside, he is extremely good, both elegant and learned, it's just that every year he travels around the world for half a year, occasionally coming to Anzhou to see me." He leaned into Tai Shi Lan's ear and whispered, "I was originally mediocre among my brothers, it wasn't until I got his guidance that I became what I am today."

  Tai Shi Lan looked at the worshipful light on his face, and his heart moved. It seemed that Mr. Li was like a mountain hermit, but such a person appeared in Anzhou, which was indeed a coincidence? Since Tai Shi Lan's talent was originally ordinary and his character wasn't particularly outstanding, what made him gain Mr. Li's favor back then?

  "Sister, I've just received a good book, given to me by Mr. Fu, and I haven't had time to read it yet. Since you're here, let's read it together." Yi Shitao pulled her sleeve, leading her to his courtyard with a treasured air.

  Tai Shi Lan followed him without a word, her eyes darting to Mo He's face which seemed to have changed slightly.

  She went into Yi Shi's courtyard, and when she entered the gate, Tai Shi Lan noticed that Mo He let all the servants retreat, and she followed in.

  "Sister." Tui Shitao happily went to the bookshelf to move books, that set of books was packed in a satin box, with elegant and beautiful patterns, it was obvious that it was not an ordinary product, but it looked a bit heavy, Tui Shitao moved it with some difficulty.

  Tai Shi Lan was just about to step forward to help when he shifted his body and suddenly saw Mo He.

  This lovely maid stood under the flower gate, her body stiff, her lips tightly pursed, and the mottled sunlight cast a tense pallor on her face.

  Tai Shi Lan suddenly turned around.

  But it's too late.

  Mo He suddenly raised her hand, scattering her hair bun, and immediately pulled her clothes to reveal a large patch of snow-white skin on her chest. Then, with a rare swiftness, she pounced over, knocking over the pen holder on the desk, making a loud crashing sound.

  She threw herself on the broken pen rack, her voice shrill and frightening, "Young master! You can't do this to me! You can't sell me into a brothel! Young master, please! Please!"

  Wei Shi Tao was shocked and turned halfway around, maintaining the posture of taking the book without moving. The book box had just been pulled out of the bookshelf and slightly tilted downwards.

  No one saw that a piece of pale and fine powder was scattered from the bookcase, rushing towards Yun Shidao's mouth and nose who was standing below.

  Tai Shi Lan didn't see her, she was standing beside Wei Shi Tao at this time, seeing him shocked and his soul flying out of the sky, afraid that the heavy book box would fall down and hit her feet, so she simply pushed the book box up with one hand, her eyes still staring at Mo He.

  The bookcase returned to its original position, closed, and that bit of powder fell on the edge of the bookshelf, blown away by the wind.

  ……

  At this moment, it's just a small episode. Whether it's important or not can be seen in the future of life. Will it leave a hidden reef? The real waves are still surging and the play is unfolding before our eyes.

  "Master!" Mo He's voice was shrill and mournful, as she rushed up and grasped Tuo Shi-tao's ankle tightly. "You can't treat me like this, you can't treat our child like this!"

  Wei Shi Tao widened his eyes, and Tai Shi almost spat it out.

  Isn't it too melodramatic?

  Mo He was startled, and she immediately reacted, probably because Wei Shi Tao was too excellent, the other children of the Wei family were afraid of being overshadowed by him, so they wanted to frame him, but this method...

  Alright, the wealthy family, this method is actually quite suitable. However, she didn't understand how Mo He was going to prove that the child in her belly was Yan Shi Tao's. A bloody paternity test?

  Just a moment ago, the four weeks were still very quiet. Now that Mohe has made a noise, it's as if heaven and earth have awakened, and the entire Tai Fu is bustling again. Faintly heard was a group of people's footsteps, coming this way once more.

  Poor old masters of the Yu family, recently their boots have all been worn through by the ground.

  Mo He cried out a few times, making sure that anyone outside would hear her pitiful cries. Immediately and without hesitation, she lowered her head.

  Bang.

  The sound of his head hitting the beam was crisp, and Tai Shi thought of a ripe watermelon bursting in summer for an instant.

  When she lowered her head, the watermelon really ripened.

  Tai Shi Lan crouched down, checked her breath, and couldn't help but furrow his brow - it turned out that there was still something unexpected, she had guessed the process, but not the outcome. Mo He actually died so easily.

  Determination is great.

  Another "bang" sound, and Yu Shitao also fainted.

  Then "bang" another sound, the door was kicked open in time.

  Three sounds occurred almost simultaneously, and in the brief moment of a spark, Tai Shi Lan only had time to do one thing.

  She thrust the golden stinger from her sleeve into Mo He's acupoint.

  "Taor!" The person who rushed in shouted thunderously.

  Anzhou General, Wei's family master Wei Bai, heard Mo He's miserable cry outside and his face turned iron blue. When he rushed over, he saw Mo He's corpse lying on the ground at a glance, and the scattered clothes could still see bruises all over. Suddenly, his anger burst out like a flood.

  He glared at Wei Shi-tao, first waving his hand, and a woman immediately went over, touched Mo He's belly, and nodded silently to him.

  Bai Bo's whole body shook.

  "You this rebellious son...... you this rebellious son......" He trembled all over, glaring furiously at Wei Shi Tao who was still dazed from his thunderous roar, "Take him down!"

  A sturdy young fellow with a big waist and round arms immediately came up, swept his arm around, and lifted Ni Shitou like a small chicken.

  "Father! Father!" Yu Shi Tao caught sight of Mo He's corpse and nearly fainted again, but he bit his lower lip hard, struggling to stay conscious, wailing loudly, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me! She framed me! Listen to me! Please listen to me——"

  "You beast!" Tai Bo's scrunched-up face seemed to be bursting with rage, "Are you going to say you're innocent? Mo He is your personal maid, following you for many years, and she's willing to die to clear her name. You still dare to deny it?"

  Tai Shi Lan stroked his chin - indeed, this was the most sinister and ruthless part of this bloody plan. With Mo He dead, there was no one to testify against him, which seemed like a foolish move. But at this moment, with "the culprit caught red-handed", anyone would deeply believe in Mo He's last words - what's the point of having a conspiracy if you can't be alive to carry it out? She had accused him with her death, how could that be fake?

  "Dad! It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" Yu Shi Tao's expression was mournful and urgent, struggling desperately, the two guards didn't move a muscle, letting his fingernails scratch and tear at the edge of the desk, falling off with bloodstains.

  He was shaken, but a pale-faced young man beside him suddenly said in a low voice: "Third brother, your ink lotus is indeed deeply in love with you. The other day, she even told my maid You'er that you promised to help her become a madam. It's actually a good thing. Why don't you go ask Father? He won't refuse. How did it end up like this?" He sighed anxiously and advised: "Listen to your brother's advice and admit it. A slave is nothing to be ashamed of. You're making things worse by denying it, and it will only make Big Brother angrier. What's the point of that?"

  "Shi Cheng!" Yi Shi Tao roared in anger, suddenly turning his head to stare at the pale young man, "You're talking nonsense! Despicable!"

  Chui Shicheng let out a cold laugh, took a step back, shook his head, and looked like he was disappointed.

  "How dare you scold my brother!" Tai Bo's anger surged, and he fiercely waved his hand. "Drag him out! Drag him out and beat him first! Beat him until he thinks it's enough! Then send him back to the Guanzhou Zhuangzi! I don't want to see him for the rest of my life!"

  "Yes!" The two guards responded in unison, dragging Yu Shitao out as he struggled, grabbing the table, chair, and everything that could be grasped, but desperately found that he couldn't grasp anything.

  The whole family was silent, with no one speaking or comforting each other. In the apathetic eyes, a glimmer of schadenfreude could be faintly seen.

  Including one's own relatives.

  The young boy suddenly grew up at this moment - understanding that even the closest relatives in the world may not necessarily be able to rely on and trust.

  In endless anger and despair, the young man suddenly looked up and shouted, "Mother! Sister!"

  "Don't call out anymore, one is dead and the other is almost dead." Yi Shi Cheng said with a sly smile, leaning in close to Yi Shi Tao's ear.

  The guard dragged Wei Shi Tao to the door.

  An arm suddenly stretched out in front of the guard.

  Tashiro's hand.

  She waited until now to make her move. On the one hand, she was waiting for the final effect of the human needle to take hold and revive him. On the other hand, she wanted this naive young man to see his family clearly.

  She won't stay here for long, but he still has to survive here. If she remains so naive, maybe next year she can help him sweep the tomb and plant grass.

  Heartless and ruthless and cold-blooded frame-ups are the icy wells created by human hearts, either plunging into the depths or breaking through the ice.

  There is no second road.

  "Shilan!" Taibai Li shouted, "Get out of the way! This is none of your business!"

  "A bunch of fools," said Ta Shilian.

  “……”

  No one understood the profound meaning of her words and they all stared at her in shock.

  Tai Shi Lan was somewhat disappointed that her scolding didn't have the desired shocking effect, and even more unhappily pointed to the ground, "No one's dead, what's all the fuss about?"

  Everyone turned back and suddenly saw that the black lotus on the ground had opened its eyes.

  Suddenly, all the crows and sparrows fell silent.

  "What if I didn't die?" Yi Shicheng sneered, "Can you turn black and white upside down?"

  Tai Shi Lan ignored him and patted Mo He's face, "Speak."

  Mo He let out a weak moan, turned his head and locked eyes with Cui Shi Cheng. Cui Shi Cheng's expression changed slightly before he sneered coldly.

  Tai Shi Lan couldn't be bothered to look at his determined expression, but instead waited for the next moment to savor his reaction.

  "Master Wu... I'll listen to you and frame Master San... just spare my family, okay?"

  ……

  Deathly silence.

  After a while, Ta Shi Lan looked up and sneered with a smile. He walked over and took Yi Shi Tao's hand. Two guards thought of stopping them but were deterred by Ta Shi Lan's cold gaze and hastily withdrew their hands.

  "Shi Tao." Tai Shi Lan's voice was not loud, but very clear. "You remember. Even if it's relatives or family members, they can't avoid being ruthless, unrighteous, ungrateful and biased. They are not reliable to depend on. The only one you can rely on is the brave you yourself."

  "Brother Sheng silently for a long time before saying: 'Sister's teachings, I will never forget in this life.'"

  His tone was calm and expressionless, looking like he really had a few similarities with Tai Shi Lan. The slightly hunched back from before finally straightened up, the small young man, at this moment, full of elegance.

  Growing up sometimes may need to wait for time to slowly pass by, but more often than not, it happens in an instant.

  Originally with a look of embarrassment, Tai Po, who was about to move his feet, stopped in his tracks, his face turning pale.

  "What's the point of competing for the top spot with this group of useless people who can't even do bad things properly?" Ta Shi Lan dragged Yi Shidao away, leaving behind a trail of shocked, embarrassed and terrified gazes, as well as the sound of her voice echoing through the skies.

  "Whoever wants me dead will be destroyed by me!"