Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 122: Poisoned to Death
“What’s the matter?” Qian Jin asked curiously, but out of his usual trust in Shen San, he instinctively stopped.
“The one who served the dishes just now wasn’t you. Where is the original person?” Shen San ignored the fat man’s confusion and instead placed his hand on the sword pouch at his waist as he slowly stood up, glaring coldly at the servant boy who was bringing the wine and dishes.
“Because there were too many guests, Li Er went to run errands for other rooms. I’m filling in for him. Sir, is there something wrong?” The servant boy’s face suddenly went pale under Shen San’s sharp gaze, answering in panic.
Seeing this man’s reaction, Shen San’s expression softened a bit, but he still seemed uneasy. He turned to Little Golden Zhi, who was in Shen Zhongshan’s arms, and asked, “Golden Miss, do you know this person? Is he really from Xiaoxiang Courtesan House?”
“This…?” The most popular top courtesan showed an embarrassed expression but finally said awkwardly, “To be honest, Sir Shen, this person does look unfamiliar. But there are hundreds of people at Xiaoxiang Courtesan House. It’s not unusual that I haven’t seen him before.”
“Haha! Little San, aren’t you making things difficult for Golden Miss? How could such a delicate great beauty know a mere servant? Do you think this person is an assassin who sneaked in from outside?” Shen Zhongshan lowered his head and took a few deep sniffs of the beauty in his arms, speaking casually.
“Big brother, we’re living on the edge of a knife here. It’s better to be cautious!” Shen San kept a straight face, still staring intently at the young man serving the dishes.
“Heh heh! This guy walks lightly and looks vacant-eyed, clearly someone who knows no martial arts. If you’re still doubtful, I have a way to immediately verify if he’s genuine and put everyone’s minds at ease,” Poison Scholar Fan Ju suddenly sneered darkly.
He had long been dissatisfied with Shen San, who had joined the Siping Gang after him but gained Shen Zhongshan’s trust more quickly. As the gang’s strategist, he was determined to make Shen San lose face.
“Oh? What method? Brother Fan, go ahead and try.” Shen Zhongshan sounded magnanimous on the surface, but he actually valued his own life greatly. So he quickly agreed to let Fan Ju give it a try.
“Since this person doesn’t know martial arts, if he really wants to harm us, he must have tampered with the food or drink. So having him sample everything would reveal the truth!” Fan Ju said confidently.
“Good idea, Brother Fan! Kid, first drink this wine for the master, then eat some of the dishes. If you hesitate, I’ll twist your head off immediately!” The fat black guy Qian Jin clapped joyfully and then loudly ordered the servant boy who had entered the room.
Shen San, wearing black, heard Fan Ju’s plan and thought it was a good one, so he didn’t argue and watched coldly.
As for Shen Zhongshan and Little Golden Zhi in his arms, they had no objections either.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the servant boy, face drawn in grief, drank a cup of wine and took a few bites of the dishes.
After seeing that the servant boy remained unharmed, Fan Ju smiled smugly and said meaningfully to Shen San, “Looks like you were too cautious, Brother Shen. This person is indeed just a servant. Next time, don’t spoil everyone’s good time!”
Saying this, he picked up a few pieces of newly served dishes and leisurely chewed.
“Hmph!” Shen San snorted, ignoring Fan Ju’s thinly veiled sarcasm, but also relaxed and sat back down.
“Haha! Nothing’s wrong! It was just a misunderstanding,” Shen Zhongshan laughed loudly, knowing full well the tension between his two subordinates but pleased to see it.
“Since it’s just a misunderstanding, you may leave now, servant boy. Here’s a silver ingot as your reward!” Shen Zhongshan took out a two-tael silver piece and tossed it to the boy.