The two women were already scared out of their wits. They didn't even dare raise their heads, only lying on the ground and trembling nonstop. Clearly, they thought they were in deep trouble and that disaster was about to befall them.
Everyone else had been poisoned, while the two of them were unharmed. It was like getting yellow mud on your pants—whether it was shit or not, no one would believe you.
Master Bo's patience was limited. He had spoken gently to the two women not because he was especially good-tempered, but because he knew a fierce attitude would frighten them. But his gentle words hadn't worked. The women were still too scared to speak. How could he have any patience left?
"Go find out whether they have any relatives still alive. Drag them over and chop them down," Master Bo barked viciously.
When the two women heard that their family members would be killed, they screamed in terror.
"Master Bo, Master Bo, it had nothing to do with us. We didn't do anything. We only washed and chopped vegetables, chopped wood, and started the fire. We didn't even dare sneak a bite to eat."
"Spare us, Master Bo! Please spare us!"
Master Bo gestured for his men to stay, then said coldly, "Tell me everything you know. Don't leave out a single detail. Whether your family members live or die depends entirely on you."
The two women were as relieved as if they'd been pardoned. Even if they weren't good with words and were timid by nature, they had to steel themselves and speak up now.
The two of them immediately recounted what had happened that night, step by step from their perspective.
They didn't even leave out the argument between Brother Qing's two cooks and Old Zhang, the