Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Snake Cave

“You…” Qiao Xi looked at Xia Wenjin’s smiling face, gritting her teeth in anger. She glanced sidelong at the two of them with malice and said, “Quite arrogant! But I’ve seen it all before. Who doesn’t come here full of arrogance and rebelliousness at the start? My lady specializes in dealing with the unruly! I’d be afraid to tell you, my lady is the only daughter of the Yuqing County Prefectural Governor, and he dotes on her, giving her whatever she wants. Since you’re so clueless, let’s open your eyes!”

Qiao Xi finished her show of false bravado to Huangfu Jingchen and immediately turned with a flattering expression to face Wang Wan’er, her eyes brimming with cruel excitement: “Miss, shall we begin?”

Wang Wan’er replied, “Hmm!”

The two newcomers, with their looks and poise, combined, surpassed everyone she had previously found. She wished she could drag them immediately to share her bed.

But Wang Wan’er was not only protective of her own life but also wanted to enjoy being revered and flattered like a queen.

These two were still new and too prideful and difficult to control, requiring extreme measures to make them obedient.

As for these extreme measures, they were the kind that Li Hai and Zhang Quan were too terrified to even speak of.

Wang Wan’er agreed, and Qiao Xi immediately stepped forward, shouting, “Bring them over!”

The door to the west opened, revealing four dogs as big as calves with glossy fur, baring their teeth and growling lowly, held by thick chains by four burly men. In the courtyard, they lined up, sitting with gleaming sharp teeth, their eyes glowing green, looking particularly menacing.

But that wasn’t all. Two patrols waiting nearby moved into the courtyard, simultaneously lifting a heavy stone slab from the ground, releasing a pungent stench. Upon closer inspection, it revealed a basement below, filled with venomous snakes crammed tightly.

This is a Snake Cave!

Xia Wenjin realized why Zhang Quan and Li Hai were too terrified to speak.

This Wang Wan’er was truly malicious, to come up with such a vicious scheme.

Wang Wan’er looked at Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin with eyes filled with cruel pleasure, no longer pretending to be gentle. She was the domineering and self-absorbed Miss Wang.

Could a few commoners cause upheaval?

However, the fear, dread, and panic she hoped to see weren’t present on their faces; not even surprise or shock.

Of course, she didn’t see the quickly hidden anger in Xia Wenjin’s eyes or the icy cold depth in Huangfu Jingchen’s gaze.

How could they remain so calm?

This reaction wasn’t right.

Apparently, more drastic measures were needed.

Wang Wan’er whispered something to Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi then shouted, “Bring them up!”

A room to the south opened, and several strong men drove three men out.

The three men were thin, with delicate features, but all had pale faces, looking ashen.

One of them, Xia Wenjin recognized.

Wasn’t this Zhang Quan who was called out last night?

Gone was the sour jealousy and snide remarks of last night; now he was like a drenched chicken, in utter disarray.

Qiao Xi sneered sidelong at Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen, alluding, “Take a good look. These three didn’t serve the miss properly and made her unhappy. Today, they will be punished!”

Zhang Quan violently broke free from the person behind him, throwing himself to the ground before Wang Wan’er, kowtowing desperately: “Spare me, my lady, spare me. I dare not do it again. Spare me just once, and I’ll serve you as diligently as a horse!”

When he first came, he had experienced this before, but at that time, he stood among the group on the east side. Now, nearing becoming dog food or snake food, how could he not be terrified?

Of course, he dared not serve her half-heartedly, but Wang Wan’er, with her insatiable appetite and penchant for enjoyment, left him exhausted and frightened, unable to keep up, dampening her spirits. Now, with two exceptional newcomers she fancied more, how could she spare Zhang Quan’s life?

Wang Wan’er’s lips curled into a cruel smile, her face sinking: “What are you standing there for? Do it!”

The two burly men immediately stepped forward, grabbing Zhang Quan and the others by the hair, dragging them into the courtyard, towards the Snake Cave.

Wang Wan’er laughed coldly, “Don’t say I didn’t give you a choice. The usual rules: You can choose to feed my dogs, my snakes, or become fertilizer for my flowers! Each person can choose only one!”

Zhang Quan cried almost to the point of choking, but desperately shouted, “Fertilizer, I choose flower fertilizer!”

Wang Wan’er glanced at him disdainfully and told the men holding him, “Release the dogs!”

The four burly men obeyed, pointing at Zhang Quan, and let go of the dogs. They were well-trained, growling lowly as they charged at Zhang Quan.

Whatever she said about having a choice, it still depended on her mood. She loved seeing their shocked, desperate, helpless, fearful, and panicked faces.

Zhang Quan scurried in a panic, trying to flee, but how could he outrun trained dogs?

Seeing Zhang Quan flailing pitifully, trying to escape, Wang Wan’er laughed heartily; it was more entertaining than a play.

This was a human life, a living human life, yet to Wang Wan’er and her henchmen, it seemed worthless.

Xia Wenjin shouted angrily, “Stop! You treat human lives like weeds. Are you even human?”

She had seen blood before, and death was no stranger.

But those who had died by her hand or before her had been evildoers or warriors on the battlefield. This was the first time she’d witnessed innocent people being bullied and tortured to death.

Such evil in human hearts!

Wang Wan’er’s face darkened, a hint of vicious ruthlessness in her eyes as she laughed coldly: “Such nerve! Hit her, but don’t hit the face; leave her breathing!”

She originally planned to let Zhang Quan die at the hands of the vicious dogs, to use the sight as a warning to the newcomers, ensuring obedience.

But Xia Wenjin dared stand up for that boy, even questioning her, truly reckless.

Upon her command, the men immediately moved towards Xia Wenjin.

Huangfu Jingchen stepped forward, blocking Xia Wenjin.

He said nothing, but his action showed he stood with Xia Wenjin.

Xia Wenjin was surprised; even a person who showed disdain with every hair could shield you in danger. What kind of mysterious experience was this?

Bizarre as it was, Xia Wenjin still felt a slight warmth in her heart.

Yet she still put on a serious face and whispered, “Move aside! This isn’t the time for jokes; don’t get involved!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep