Ci Jinzhi

 There was a lamp burning on the table in the ruined temple, so that it would not be difficult to see clearly in the darkness. The people on duty were scattered everywhere, blowing the night wind that came in through the gaps to ward off sleepiness.

 These people include Xinyou's people, He Qingxiao's people, Xiu Wang's people, and those from the military camp. There were not many people, but they were divided into several groups. It can be seen that those who can enter the temple to guard are loyal and capable.

But in this drizzly night, under the protection of hundreds of people, no matter how vigilant they are, they would never think that a sneak attack would happen, let alone a small snake heading towards the person they were trying to protect. Once gone.

The little snake quickly swam to Xinyou's side, spiraled onto the mat, and crawled up her neck very quickly.

Just as the little snake was approaching with a message, Xin You suddenly jumped up and exclaimed: "There is a snake!"

The people on duty heard the sound and rushed over. The one who was faster than them was He Qingxiao.

 As fast as lightning, he stretched out his hand and grasped seven inches of the snake.

"Snake? Where is the snake?" Wang Gonggong was so frightened that his voice became shriller.

King Xiu was awakened, and his face turned pale when he saw the small white and black snake struggling in He Qingxiao's hands.

Although Bai Ying has practiced martial arts since childhood, she is naturally afraid of these soft and cool long insects, and her face is extremely ugly.

"White knot snake." He Qingxiao stared at the living thing in his hand and spat out three words coldly.

The white knot snake is highly venomous and is more common in southern areas. Because of He Qingxiao's unlucky constitution, he encountered it several times when he was out in Beijing on business.

People who don't know snakes just feel disgusted. Those who know it are white-knot snakes gasp in surprise: "This long insect is highly venomous and very cunning. People don't even feel pain after being bitten. When they realize something is wrong, they already feel it." late!"

In the dilapidated temple, the night wind leaked in from all directions. Everyone who listened to these words felt chills in their hearts and were filled with fear.

"Is Xin Daizhao okay?" He Qingxiao asked.

King Xiu also reacted: "Did Xin Daizhao discover it?"

In the dim light, the young man looked like he was about to get over his shock: "I felt a little cold and woke up. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw a snake spitting a message at me. Fortunately, Mr. He came to the rescue-"

She couldn't speak any more and cast a grateful look at He Qingxiao.

 Bai Ying was very upset: "I blame me for not being cautious enough. I should have asked them to check it a few more times."

King Xiu smiled bitterly: "This ruined temple is leaking air everywhere. No matter how many times we check, we can't prevent insects and snakes from getting in."

"But there are so many people in the temple, why do they just go to Mr. Xin?" Bai Ying gritted her teeth and looked at the little snake that was still being held by He Qingxiao. "When I was a child, I heard my mother say that wild animals, insects, and snakes generally don't attack. A quiet and immobile person. Mr. Xin was sleeping, and there were so many awake guards in the temple—"

King Xiu looked serious: "Miss Bai, do you think it's a coincidence?"

 Bai Ying was flawless: "My daughter just mentioned the doubtful points."

Even if you have doubts about King Xiu, how can you dare to say it casually?

"It's really not a coincidence." The man's voice sounded, cold and clean.

Bai Ying looked at He Qingxiao suddenly, unable to conceal her surprise.

 Master He really dares to say that.

 “What do you mean, Mr. He?” King Xiu’s eyes flashed slightly.

He Qingxiao did not immediately answer King Xiu's words, but told Huang Cheng: "Take a bamboo tube and put this white knot snake in it."

Huang Cheng took the bamboo tube from his luggage and carefully took the little snake and put it inside.

He Qingxiao took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands before looking at King Xiu.

There was silence in the temple, and everyone, including King Xiu, was waiting for him to explain what he had just said.

"As His Royal Highness King Xiu said, it is normal for insects and snakes to crawl into a ruined temple in the wilderness. I originally thought so, but just now I discovered that there was a peculiar smell on Xin Daizhao's sleeping mat."

 “Odor?” King Xiu looked at Xinyou in confusion.

Xin You still had an expression of surviving the disaster on her face, but in fact she wanted to give He Qingxiao a roll of her eyes.    Can you explain it clearly at once?

 “The smell of snake luring powder.” He Qingxiao said every word.

As soon as these words came out, everyone’s expressions changed.

 What is the snake attractant powder used for? Just hearing the name is enough.

Bai Ying took a step closer and sniffed, but didn't smell any peculiar smell. He simply squatted down and almost touched the mat where Xin You slept, and finally smelled a faint fishy smell.

That kind of fishy smell is completely different from the muddy smell after rain.

She stood up without saying a word, then checked her sleeping mat again. When she stood up again, her face was serious: "The mat Mr. Xin slept on did have a special smell."

Xin You had a mixture of shock and anger on his face, and sighed in his heart.

 As expected, girls can still talk, and "special smell" is much more pleasing to the ear than "strange smell".

King Xiu's face darkened: "So, someone deliberately plotted to kill Xin Taizhao?"

Bai Ying didn't say anything, thinking that if someone really wanted to kill Mr. Xin, then you, King Xiu, would be the biggest suspect.

The atmosphere suddenly became a little subtle.

King Xiu seemed completely unaware and asked Xin You with a frank expression, "What do you think of Xin Daizhao?"

Xin You looked at King Xiu and looked calm: "If someone harms me, that person will either be in the team escorting the coffin of my late mother to the capital, or among the people brought by His Highness King Xiu."

Leaving aside the fact that the two hundred bandits in Wuyun Village had the same interests as hers, they had no access to mats and other materials, and it was impossible for them to know which mat she would sleep on.

Hearing what Xin You said, General Li, who was responsible for escorting Queen Xin's coffin to the capital, panicked: "Mr. Xin, what do you mean?"

 The prince folded his hands and said nothing.

He is on the job of supervising the army. If there is a traitor in the team led by General Li, he will report it to the emperor. As for Mr. Xin, he doesn't need to take responsibility anyway.

King Xiu glanced at General Li and said coldly: "Then check and make sure no one is missed!"

He Qingxiao said: "First check who has entered the temple and who is on duty in the temple."

　　White-knotted snakes may be caught casually on the road, but snake luring powder must be prepared in advance. Even if the person who did it hears the noise and discards it quietly, there is a high possibility that there will still be residue on him in such a short period of time.

Soon the people mentioned by He Qingxiao were gathered together, including twenty-two people on duty at night, eight people who came in to sweep the mats, and two people who delivered **** soup.

 Among the thirty-two people were Qianfeng and Ping'an, and four Jinlin guards. He Qingxiao first checked the ten people who were sweeping, spreading mats, and delivering **** soup, and then searched their bodies for guard duties.

 “Sir, there is nothing suspicious.”

 The items found were in bits and pieces, and there was no trace of snake luring powder.

At this time, Huang Cheng walked in quickly: "Sir, I found this in the grass outside the temple!"

 Everyone took a closer look and saw that Huang Cheng was holding a small bamboo tube in his hand.

General Li was confused: "Isn't this the bamboo tube Huang Baihu just put the snake in?"

“No, the bamboo tube holding the snake is here.” Huang Cheng took out another bamboo tube.

 “What’s going on?” General Li didn’t react for a moment.

Bai Ying pouted slightly: "What is wrong with this? The white-knotted snake is highly venomous. The person who took action caught the snake in advance and carried it with him in a bamboo tube. When the opportunity came, he released the poisonous snake. If he was afraid of being searched, he quietly threw away the bamboo tube. ”

He Qingxiao said: "Huang Cheng, bring in the people who will be on duty outside the temple in the second half of the night."

 (End of this chapter)