Chapter 15: Chapter 15: This Is Murder

Hu Lili hid behind a tree, her nails digging deep into her palm.

Watching Su Tang at the center of a group of women, laughing and chatting as they exchanged fabric and grain, the jealousy in her eyes practically overflowed.

’I will absolutely not let Su Tang get away with this. Lu Xiao is mine! I have to drive her out!’

Suddenly, her gaze fell on the bamboo trays of drying medicinal herbs not far away, and a sinister smile curled her lips.

The night was deep and still. Moonlight spilled like water.

Hu Lili climbed over the wall and snuck into Su Tang’s backyard. By the light of the moon, she found the pile of drying mint and wormwood.

’Hmph. Let’s see you act so smug now!’

She pulled a bottle of kerosene from her coat, splashed it unhesitatingly over the herbs, then struck a match and lit them.

The flames shot up with a WHOOSH, instantly devouring the herbs. The firelight cast a red glow on her twisted face.

The fire spread quickly, and the CRACKLING of the flames alerted Aunt Wang next door.

“Fire! Help, there’s a fire!”

Aunt Wang’s shout cut through the night sky.

Lu Xiao and Su Tang rushed out of the house. When they saw the blaze in the backyard, their hearts sank.

Lu Xiao grabbed a water bucket and ran toward the fire, while Su Tang shouted for the neighbors to help.

With everyone’s combined effort, the fire was finally put out.

But the medicinal herbs had long since turned to ash.

Su Tang squatted on the ground, her eyes reddening as she stared at the charred bamboo trays and the remains scattered all over.

She had traveled over several mountains to gather these herbs, pouring her heart and soul into every single one.

The Northwest wasn’t like Shanghai; things like these were already hard to come by.

Lu Xiao’s face was grim, his hawk-like eyes scanning the area.

He noticed a kerosene bottle lying at the base of the wall. He picked it up and sniffed it, his expression growing even darker.

“This was arson.”

His voice was ice-cold, laced with a chilling murderous intent.

Early the next morning, the entire family compound knew that Su Tang’s medicinal herbs had been burned.

Sister Li said indignantly, “This is just despicable! Who on earth would do such a thing?”

Aunt Wang glanced thoughtfully toward Hu Lili’s house but said nothing.

Hu Lili, however, acted as if she knew nothing and even came over to offer fake comfort. “Su Tang, don’t be too sad. Maybe it was just some mischievous kid…”

’She hadn’t just burned the herbs, but also the last of Su Tang’s mountain ginseng.’

’Without it, the medicinal sachets would be far less effective.’

“Hu Lili, cut the act!”

Zhang Cui scoffed at Hu Lili’s behavior. “Shedding crocodile tears. This is a serious matter. If they find out who did it, they’re going to jail!”

Hearing this, Hu Lili let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

But Lu Xiao arrived with two men in tow.

“Lu Xiao, we received a report about the malicious destruction of property here. The incident is considered serious.”

The man in the lead said this after his eyes swept over the wreckage.

He was an inspector; with a case of malicious arson in the family compound, of course he had to come investigate.

The color drained from Hu Lili’s face, and a flash of panic flickered in her eyes.

But she quickly composed herself and tried to leave.

But Lu Xiao moved faster, stepping in to block her path.

Seeing this, Hu Lili frowned. “Lu Xiao, what do you think you’re doing?”

Lu Xiao closed in on her, one step at a time, his gaze as cold as a deep well. “Hu Lili, drop the act. You’re the one who set this fire!”

Hu Lili’s body began to tremble, but she tried to argue her way out of it. “Don’t you dare make baseless accusations! How could I possibly do something like that?”

“Whether you did it or not, you’ll cooperate with the investigation. Hu Lili, if it wasn’t the herbs burning in that fire, it would have been Su Tang.”

“That’s attempted murder. Do you understand?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep