After adjusting his emotions, Jing Xunchè went out to arrest the suspects. The blockade in the military camp was also lifted. After learning that it was poisoning rather than a plague, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Mù Fēngqié sat in the tent, studying the components of the candles over and over again. After extracting the poisonous substances, he began to search for the herbs that counteracted them. However, no matter how many times he tried, he couldn't find the antidote.
On the other hand, when Jing Xunchè went to arrest the suspects, the shop - owner there seemed to have received advance notice and was trying to flee. He was caught red - handed by Jing Xunchè and his men.
"Take them all back and interrogate them strictly!" Jing Xunchè looked at the candles in this shop. After everyone left, he set them all on fire. What if there were still some poisonous candles left?
After Jing Xunchè brought the suspects back, Mù Fēngqié began the interrogation. He looked at each of them one by one. From the smells on their bodies, it could be seen that they had a clear division of labor in candle - making.
Each person had a different step, so it was necessary to make a further judgment on who had poisoned the candles.
"Separate them for interrogation." Mù Fēngqié said and then left the shop - owner behind.
"Your Excellency, please spare my life. I really don't know what happened!" the shop - owner stammered.
"If you don't know, why were you running away when I got there?" Jing Xunchè stepped forward and kicked the shop - owner. He was still trying to play dumb at this moment.
"Your Excellency, please spare my life! I really don't know what happened. I wasn't trying to flee today. Someone bought my shop the day before yesterday, and tomorrow is the last day. I was just packing up my things when you and your men came, Your Excellency."
The shop - owner stammered out the whole story. He was really innocent. His family had been making candles for generations, and they had never done anything immoral.
Mù Fēngqié looked at the cold sweat constantly breaking out on the shop - owner's forehead. He already believed his words in his heart, but he still needed to use him when necessary.
"You said you don't know what happened. Well, let me tell you. Your candles were adulterated with a large amount of toxins. Some people have been poisoned and are now on the verge of death. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Mù Fēngqié exaggerated the situation to scare the shop - owner, hoping to make him lose his composure so that it would be easier to get information from him.
"This... This is impossible!" The shop - owner looked at Mù Fēngqié in disbelief. "Our family's ancestral candle - making recipe would never cause poisoning!"
"I see. You must be sent by our competitor to scare me, right? Let me tell you, I will never reveal the recipe. You can just give up on that idea."
The shop - owner stood up and shouted aggressively at Mù Fēngqié and Jing Xunchè. He never thought they would come up with such a despicable method. Someone poisoned? Bah!
"Presumptuous! You think we're lying to you? Fine. I'll take you right now to see those poisoned people!" With that, Jing Xunchè took the shop - owner to the place where the wounded were being treated.
When they came, Jing Xunchè had blindfolded them for secrecy, so they didn't know where they were. When the shop - owner went out and saw the patrolling soldiers, his heart immediately tightened.
He believed about 70 - 80% of what Mù Fēngqié and the others had said before. After seeing the soldiers lying in a coma in bed, the shop - owner completely believed them.
"This... This... Your Excellency, I really don't know what's going on. I was disrespectful just now. Please forgive me." The shop - owner was not a stubborn person. He knew when to yield and would never be obstinate.
This was also the reason why his shop had booming business.
"Now I'm asking you. Have any of your apprentices shown any strange behavior in the past few days? Even the slightest bit, you have to tell me." After Jing Xunchè brought the shop - owner back, he started the formal interrogation.
The shop - owner thought carefully and really noticed something unusual. "Just seven days ago, Li Dàniú in our shop suddenly got married. Although getting married is not a particularly special thing, the strange part is that Li Dàniú's family is very poor."
"He's already 35 this year and just got married. Usually, Li Dàniú is extremely stingy. But just seven days ago, he not only generously treated the people in our shop to a meal but also got married the next day."
Jing Xunchè and Mù Fēngqié glanced at each other. "Is Li Dàniú still here?"
"Yes, he is. He came to resign today, but I've been busy moving the shop, so I haven't dealt with it yet." The shop - owner nodded and said.
"Now you lead us to identify Li Dàniú. We'll release you after you're proven innocent." Jing Xunchè said.
The shop - owner nodded. After confirming that they were not from the competitor, he felt relieved. He hadn't done anything wrong, so he wasn't worried.
After following Jing Xunchè around for a while, the shop - owner pointed to a person on the far side and said, "That's Li Dàniú."
Jing Xunchè looked in the direction and saw a fat and tall man.
Jing Xunchè waved his hand, leaving Li Dàniú alone and taking the others away.
"Are you Li Dàniú?" Jing Xunchè asked, looking at the struggling man.
"That's your grandpa! Let me tell you, if you're smart, release me quickly. Otherwise, I won't let you off. I already know your identities clearly. Be careful or I'll sue you to the government." Li Dàniú said defiantly.
This shop - owner is really spineless. Aren't they just from the competitor? Is it necessary to be so submissive? It's really embarrassing.
Jing Xunchè and the surrounding soldiers laughed. Sue them to the government? Not to mention whether he could succeed, just for what he had done, it would be lucky if he didn't end up in trouble himself.
Sue them? Which government would dare to throw the Marquis of Zhongning into prison? It's really a joke!
"Li Dàniú, Li Dàniú. Didn't the person behind you tell you my identity?" Jing Xunchè looked at Li Dàniú with great interest.
"Humph! What identity could you have? Aren't you just a competitor of our shop - owner? I've already resigned. If you have anything to say, go to our shop - owner!" Li Dàniú stared at Jing Xunchè. For some reason, he felt a bit flustered, as if something bad was about to happen.
Li Dàniú steadied his nerves and kept telling himself in his heart that it was just because he was too nervous and there was nothing wrong.
"I heard you got married a few days ago?" Jing Xunchè looked at Li Dàniú, whose eyes suddenly widened, and continued, "Where did you get the money?"