This story is entirely based on real events. Any coincidence is by no means a resemblance

"That is only natural!"

Xu Qin said proudly, "Books not only hold houses of gold, but also elegant young gentlemen, unmatched in this chaotic world."

Xu Qin's mother could not help but nod, and then she rushed into the inner room. There were many books placed there, which were basically the same as the books Xu Qin usually read.

They were all books about domineering princes falling in love with me and the like.

At this moment, she respected them as if they were Buddhas, worshiping them piously, and took out some of the books, opening them one by one, as if to show her gratitude.

And those books all bore the official seals of the Tongxin Alliance and the Yunjing imperial court, and a sentence was printed on their title pages.

"This story is based on reality. Any coincidences are absolutely not fabricated!"

Xu Qin's mother and Xu Qin bowed with immense reverence, almost sighing in unison.

"The Tongxin Alliance really takes care of people like us, giving us such a good path."

After a pause, Xu Qin's mother said, "Daughter, you have created a wonderful opportunity for yourself now. You must grasp it well and not miss it."

"As for your idea of letting the horse's owner misunderstand you first, and then finding out that you were trying to raise money, Mother thinks it is very good. With such a huge contrast, won't the horse's owner be instantly moved by your heart of gold?"

"It is just..."

"Our family's money is really not enough."

"Mother will think of a way right now. Selling everything of value is not a problem, but it is still far from enough."

Xu Qin said disapprovingly, "Mother, the main thing in this matter is sincerity, not how much compensation is paid."

"As long as the horse's owner sees my sincerity, there will be no problem."

"No, no..." Xu Qin's mother was obviously more cautious, saying, "We still need to be a little more careful, even more careful. We must put all our thoughts into it so that the horse's owner will value you more."

"How about we go borrow some money?"

Hearing this, Xu Qin also felt it made sense, and an idea instantly popped into her mind. She said, "Mother, you just reminded me."

"I actually have a way to borrow money."

"Oh?" Xu Qin's mother said in pleasant surprise, "You have a way?"

"Mother, have you forgotten that both of us are members of the Love Mutual Aid Alliance? Our circle is not small."

Xu Qin's mother became excited, "That is right, how could I forget the Love Mutual Aid Alliance? This is considered a prestigious circle in Huai'an City. As members, we should borrow money from these people at a time like this."

"Alright, let us do that."

Xu Qin's mother made a prompt decision, "I will go invite these people right now under the guise of treating them to a meal and a gathering, and invite them to the Spring View Pavilion."

"When the food and wine have been served, we will speak up and ask them to lend us money. I believe they will certainly not be stingy."

Xu Qin nodded in agreement, "Mother, let us do just that."

"There is no time to lose. The horse's owner might find me very soon. Let us go do it immediately. We must borrow as much money as possible before the horse's owner finds me, so that the horse's owner will know of my heart of gold."

After the two made their decision, they immediately took action.

One went to sell off their meager family assets, and the other went to widely invite the people of the Love Mutual Aid Alliance in Huai'an City, moving swiftly.

And Bangchui, who moved equally swiftly, had already arrived in front of the relay station. Coming with him were not only military doctors from the army but also over a dozen brothers.

After the military doctor examined the condition of the Snow Qilin, his face turned grave, and he immediately began to treat the Snow Qilin, while Bangchui prayed on the side.

The brothers who came with Bangchui grabbed the innkeeper of the relay station and the pharmacy owner, questioning them one by one.

From the innkeeper, they learned of Xu Qin's usual behavior, and these soldiers felt something was not quite right.

They could faintly see that Xu Qin had done it on purpose.

And after questioning the pharmacy owner, it was directly confirmed.

"Bangchui, that damn woman named Xu Qin did it on purpose. The pharmacy owner admitted it. Right before the horse collapsed, Xu Qin went to the pharmacy and got some medicine."

"Including croton beans, poisonous weeds, and the like."

"Also... just now, the brothers inspected the forage fed to the horse, and it was mixed with things like croton beans."

Saying that, he handed the forage to the military doctor.

The military doctor was used to marching and fighting, so he was extremely familiar with things like croton beans. With one look and a sniff, he immediately concluded.

"It is croton beans!"

"This horse's forage was mixed with croton beans and some poisonous weeds, which is why the horse foamed at the mouth and collapsed to the ground, unable to get up."

Bangchui's eyes were practically splitting open with rage.

He suppressed his voice and said, "How is the horse now? Can it be cured?"

The military doctor first nodded, then shook his head.

Then he continued, "I fed the horse some medicine, and it should have stopped the effects. There likely will not be any danger to its life, but..."

"Exactly to what extent it can recover is hard to say."

"Also..."

"You must know that even if the horse is completely cured, there will definitely be lingering effects."

"For example, its endurance will not be as good as before."

"This is irreversible."

Bangchui only felt a booming sound in his head, as if the sky was falling and the earth was cracking. His body went limp, and anger rushed straight to his brain.

General Zhang Shi trusted him so much to hand this peerless divine horse over to him, yet he had let this peerless divine horse end up in such a state?

How was he going to explain this to General Zhang Shi?

Moreover, he had let down this peerless divine horse!

"Clang!"

The precious saber at his waist was unsheathed. With a flash of the blade, he placed it against the innkeeper's neck. His voice was like thousand-year-old ice, revealing a cold, murderous intent.

"Speak, where does that woman named Xu Qin live?"

"Forget it, you lead the way for me."

"Right now, I am going to go hack her to pieces and chop her into eight blocks!"

His brothers hurriedly stopped him.

"Bangchui, do not be impulsive."

"Bangchui, the Duke has given orders. This Huai'an City is already ours, and random killing is not allowed. This is not the grasslands."

"Bangchui, we should still report this to General Zhang Shi. After all, it is General Zhang Shi's precious horse, and it should be left to General Zhang Shi to handle."

"Bangchui, let us first get this horse back to the military camp and settle it properly, and then wait for General Zhang Shi to return. Do not worry, that Xu Qin definitely cannot run away."

"Yes, Bangchui, Huai'an City belongs to the Duke, could we still let her escape? If you are really worried, go find General Wang Ming or Lord Su Jin first, have them issue an order, and we will arrest her first and talk about it later."

...

Being spoken to like this by his brothers, Bangchui calmed down a little and said hatefully, "Fine, then we will wait for General Zhang Shi to return, but I must arrest her first!"

Right then, he and his brothers sent the Snow Qilin back to the military camp together, and then he couldn't wait to find Wang Ming.

Although Wang Ming had always been Zhang Shi's imaginary rival, facing this kind of situation, he did not hesitate at all and immediately issued an order in his name.

He handed it to Bangchui.

"Arrest that woman and throw her into the prison first. The rest will be handled when General Zhang Shi returns."

"Yes!" Bangchui received the order.

...