Before the words faded, Wan Mo spun slightly on her feet. Light as a swallow, she grabbed the long spear propped against the wall.
The silver spearhead sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning, piercing straight into the snake's body. With a hiss, the snake's blood - dripping jaws were instantly severed, and the entire snake was cut in two!
The snake's head rolled to one side. Its scarlet forked tongue froze in mid - air before it could be retracted. The remaining half of the snake's body wriggled on the ground. Its black - and - white patterns, stained with blood, were particularly eye - catching.
Wan Mo put away the long spear and quickly walked up to the others. She asked anxiously, "How are you? Are you all okay?"
"We're fine... fine..."
Wan Xin patted her chest. Her face was still deathly pale, and her voice trembled. "How could... how could there be a snake?"
Yes, how could there be a snake in the betrothal gift boxes?
Li Wanming frowned tightly. Her eyes fixed on the snake cut in two. As she was pondering, she suddenly heard a very soft snort from the top of the wall: "Humph! You're just lucky!"
The voice was childish but carried an indescribable hatred and malice, like a fine needle piercing into her ear.
Li Wanming suddenly looked up and saw a thin figure flash by on the south wall eaves.
Hmm, it was a child...
Whose child could hate her so much?
Was this just a prank, or did they really use a deadly snake?
Li Wanming thought for a moment and already had an idea in mind.
A cold smile curled up on her lips. She said softly, "It's normal for snakes, insects, rats, and ants to be more active in spring. It's not strange for one to crawl in."
She told Wan Mo to take good care of the yard and then turned around and walked out of the Li family's main gate.
After turning a small alley, she came to the south wall. Sure enough, she saw a young man in luxurious clothes throwing a tantrum there.
"You were supposed to find the fiercest snake! How come it was killed so easily?"
The young man was about eleven or twelve years old. He had a good - looking face, with eyebrows as black as ink and a high - bridged nose. But unfortunately, his character was spoiled. Although his face still retained some childishness, it already showed a hint of arrogance.
He was dressed in a brocade robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns on the collar. There was also a piece of mutton - fat jade pendant hanging from his waist, jingling with his movements.
In front of the young man were several young boys in brocade clothes, each with a flattering smile on their faces. They were clearly the spoiled sons of some rich families.
A chubby and fair - skinned little boy was rubbing his hands and trying hard to explain.
"Second Young Master, the snake we found was the famous seven - step snake. One bite from it would make a person bleed from all seven orifices! I managed to buy it from the warehouse in Changyi Fang with great difficulty..."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Xiao Jingbai said angrily. "If it was really that powerful, how could it be stabbed to death with one spear? You can't even handle a snake properly. What else can you do?"
A skinny boy with a sharp face and monkey - like features beside him flashed a look in his eyes and quickly said, "Second Young Master, don't be in a hurry. We still have a second plan."
Xiao Jingbai's expression softened a bit. He grunted and said, "About the second plan... How's the preparation?"
The skinny boy quickly replied, "I've seen clearly. They've piled all the betrothal gifts in the south warehouse. I've already had the firewood and kerosene prepared. We'll set it on fire in a while. It'll be burned to ashes for sure!"
Xiao Jingbai snorted. A hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes. "Without the betrothal gifts, let's see how that bitch can still have the nerve to marry into our family! By then, everyone in the capital will know that the Li family can't even keep the betrothal gifts. How can they have the face to enter the prince's mansion?"
The fat boy and the skinny boy beside him quickly agreed, with smiles all over their faces. "Exactly! Losing the betrothal gifts on the day of betrothal is a great disrespect. If Li Wanming still has any sense of shame, she should go and break off the engagement herself..."
"What if I don't care about my reputation?"
A cold voice suddenly came from behind the wall, scaring the people in the corner.
Li Wanming slowly walked out from beside the wall, still holding a wooden stick in her hand.
One end of the wooden stick had sharp thorns, the kind unique to winter. The body of the stick was covered with a layer of slightly green moss, mixed with the dampness of early spring, making it look both sharp and tough.
Damn it...
Putting snakes wasn't enough. They even wanted to set the place on fire!
Rage blazed in Li Wanming's eyes.
The south warehouse was only separated from her parents' yard by a wall. If the fire was really set, her parents might lose their lives that night!
A bunch of arrogant fools...
They had no other skills but were first - rate at killing and setting fires.
If Mrs. Kang couldn't teach her son well, then she would teach him for her!
It was time for this young master, who only cared about his own interests and didn't care about others' lives, to know what the dangers of the world were and that there was always someone more powerful!
Li Wanming's face was gloomy. She carried the wooden stick and slowly walked closer.
Xiao Jingbai was intimidated by her imposing manner and took a half - step back. But soon he puffed out his chest and pretended to be calm. "What... what do you want?"
Li Wanming sneered coldly. "I heard someone wanted to set fire to my yard. Of course, I have to see which grandson is so bold!"
Xiao Jingbai swallowed hard and then shouted, "Don't make unfounded accusations! Who set the fire? Did you see it? Do you have any evidence?"
"Evidence?"
The smile on Li Wanming's lips turned colder. A hint of mockery slowly appeared. "It's only natural for an elder sister - in - law to discipline a disobedient younger brother in the family. Do I need evidence to beat you?"
Before the words were out, she stepped forward quickly, grabbed Xiao Jingbai by the back of his neck, and pressed him down on her knee with a swift movement.
Xiao Jingbai was scared out of his wits and struggled desperately. "You... you dare... Do you know who I am?"
"Let's see if I dare!"
Li Wanming ignored his shouts. She neatly pulled down his pants, raised her arm high, and the wooden stick left a blurred shadow in the air.
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
...
At first, Xiao Jingbai gritted his teeth and endured. But after two blows, he couldn't hold back anymore and cried like a mourner.
"Li Wanming, you bitch! You shrew... Let me go. I'm going to tell my mother..."
Li Wanming turned a deaf ear. After seven or eight blows, the snow - white buttocks were lacerated. Then she threw him at the spoiled sons behind her, just like throwing a useless old cloth bag.
"Go back and tell the Xiao family that it was me who beat him! Also, I'll keep that poisonous snake and wait for them to come and settle the score with me!"
After saying that, she threw the wooden stick in her hand and kicked it to one side with a clang. Then she swaggered away.
The fat boy and the skinny boy were stunned for a while. Then they, along with the others, rushed to help Xiao Jingbai up. "Second Young Master, are you okay..."
"It hurts! It hurts!"
Xiao Jingbai grimaced in pain, with tears and snot all over his face. "You idiots, be gentle! Don't touch my butt... What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go! Find a doctor for me!"