Free Web NovelChapter 46: Chapter 44: A Change in the Plot
Su Mo had just enough time to quickly tidy her hair and clothes before Little Nine ushered her out the door.
She asked without a sound, "What on earth happened?" fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Before Little Nine could answer, Su Mo looked up and saw Fei Yan and Yue Ying walking toward her, their expressions grim and their pace hurried.
Yue Ying’s narrow eyes swept over a red mark on Su Mo’s neck, and he squinted slightly.
Su Mo frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Fei Yan’s brow furrowed. "Mo Xiao has been detained by the Dragon Clan. Last night, someone poisoned their waters, and many people fell ill. A patrol team happened to see Mo Xiao by a stream, and after some sort of misunderstanding, they took him away."
"Now Yue Ying and I are being watched, too. We can’t go out and look for evidence."
Su Mo glanced into the distance and, sure enough, saw two Dragon Clan guards.
’She didn’t believe for a second that Mo Xiao was the poisoner.’
’He was the most powerful villain in the original novel. He’d never do something so witless.’
"Let’s talk inside."
Su Mo turned and led the two back to her room, then asked about everything that had happened after she got drunk last night.
Fei Yan’s cool gaze swept over the red mark on Su Mo’s neck. He spoke calmly, "Last night, wife, you were drunk. Mo Xiao stayed behind to take care of you. Yue Ying and I had also had a few drinks, so we went back to rest. Mo Xiao must have gone out to bathe after we fell asleep."
"This morning, we heard that a Female from the Dragon Clan accused Mo Xiao of attempting to assault her. The two of them must have had a confrontation by the river, and then the patrol team arrived. Later, the Dragon Clan discovered their water had been poisoned, and that Female accused Mo Xiao of being the culprit. We haven’t found any evidence to the contrary yet. They’re certainly not going to release him based on his word alone."
Fei Yan frowned. "Wife, you should meet with the Dragon Race’s Young General as soon as possible. It would be best if you could see Mo Xiao and get a clear account from him."
Su Mo’s brow tightened as she considered their options.
Seeing her silence, Fei Yan asked anxiously, "Wife, surely you don’t doubt Mo Xiao’s character? He would never have any interest in a Dragon Clan Female. This was a setup from the very beginning, a trap laid for him to fall into."
Su Mo frowned. "That’s not what I meant."
’Of course I know that guy Mo Xiao has ridiculously high standards. He wouldn’t spare a glance for those Females who throw themselves at him. Besides, as a major villain, he’s not the type of beastman to be ruled by lust. If he were, why wouldn’t he have just accepted the original heroine, with her heavenly looks?’
Su Mo looked at them and asked, "Did either of you notice anything unusual before you fell asleep last night?"
Yue Ying’s fox-like eyes narrowed. "Now that you mention it, it was strange. I fell asleep almost as soon as I got back to my room after drinking last night."
Fei Yan added, "Me too, and I didn’t even drink that much."
"Hold out your wrist, let me check." Su Mo placed her fingers on Fei Yan’s pulse and frowned. "Just as I thought. You were drugged."
’The dose was controlled perfectly. A little later and I probably wouldn’t have been able to detect it.’
Yue Ying snapped his fan shut. "So the Dragon Race’s Young General is repaying our kindness with malice! Is this how he treats guests on their very first visit to his tribe, with such a vicious plot?!"
Fei Yan frowned. "We don’t have all the facts yet. Let’s not jump to conclusions."
Yue Ying glared at him. ’Why are you defending our love rival?!’
’As a fox, he knew that even if Long Yan were to make a move, he wouldn’t be this brazen about it. But still, he just couldn’t stand the sight of that dragon.’
Su Mo’s expression darkened as she mulled it over. ’How is the plot so different from the book? Long Yan didn’t even have a major role in the early stages. Even later on, as an enemy of the heroine, he barely interacted with Fei Yan and the others at all. Could it be that I’m the reason the original storyline has changed?’
Su Mo then checked her own pulse. She’d had a cup of wine from Yue Ying and Mo Xiao last night, and sure enough, she had been drugged as well.
’But maybe because I didn’t drink much, it’s mostly worn off by now.’
Fei Yan spoke again. "Wife, we have to see Mo Xiao as soon as possible. The Female who accused him of harassment is the betrothed of a Dragon Clan Commander. Any more delays could be dangerous for Mo Xiao."
Su Mo nodded and headed out the door.
「Long Yan’s Study」
The Think Tank had arrived early that morning. "Regarding Miss Su’s fiancé, Lord Major General, you must handle this matter with caution. The tribe is currently facing both internal and external threats. A single misstep could give rise to wagging tongues."
There were many in the clan who coveted Long Yan’s position. The Think Tank worried that Miss Su would show up, begging the Lord Major General with tears and snot, and that the Lord Major General, unable to deny his savior, would rashly release the prisoner. If that happened, those dissenters in the clan would surely raise objections.
After all, dozens of clan members had fallen ill that morning. The Witch Doctors were completely overwhelmed, and there had been a chorus of complaints all morning blaming the Lord Major General. They said he never should have so carelessly brought outsiders into their tribe.
Most importantly, there was still no evidence to prove Mo Xiao’s innocence, so he absolutely could not be released.
Before Fei Yan, Yue Ying, and Su Mo could even reach the study, they were stopped by the guards at the entrance.
The two Little Dragons waiting by the door spotted Su Mo and immediately came running over.
"Sister Mo!" They had heard what happened that morning and, worried about her, had been waiting here since dawn.
"Don’t worry. The Lord Major General gave orders first thing this morning not to torture Young Master Snake."
Su Mo breathed a sigh of relief at their words. Her biggest fear was that this was all an elaborate trap, where framing Mo Xiao was just an excuse to have him killed.
If that were the case, once he was captured, torture would be inevitable.
That was why she had rushed to find Long Yan.
"Can you announce me? I have something to say to your Lord Major General."
Nannan nodded. "Sister Mo, wait right here. I’ll be right back!"
With that, Nannan was off like a gust of wind.
He returned just as quickly. "Sister Mo, the Lord Major General will see you now."
Su Mo strode into Long Yan’s study. The old Think Tank was there as well. She, Fei Yan, and Yue Ying offered a respectful bow.
Before Long Yan could speak, the old Think Tank spoke first. "My deepest apologies, Miss Su, that you and your companions should encounter such an ordeal on your first visit to the Dragon Clan Tribe."
Su Mo’s voice was cool. "The oversight was ours. We apologize for troubling the Lord Major General and the Think Tank. Given what’s happened, Mo Xiao is the primary suspect. We will, of course, cooperate with the investigation and follow your instructions."
Hearing this, the Think Tank’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had expected Su Mo’s first act to be pleading for Mo Xiao’s case, begging the Lord Major General to release that snake.
’She’s more rational than I expected.’
Su Mo’s brow furrowed. "I was heavily intoxicated last night, so I’m not clear on what transpired. I’d like to ask the Lord Major General to make an exception and allow me to see Mo Xiao. If I can ask him what happened, I’ll be better able to help you get to the bottom of this."
"If the Think Tank and the Lieutenant General are concerned, you can have someone supervise the entire meeting."
The Think Tank’s brow twitched. From his standpoint, he very much wanted to refuse Su Mo’s request.
After all, with Mo Xiao as the prime suspect, they had every right to deny her visitation.
But as the saviour of the Lord Major General, her request wasn’t exactly unreasonable.
Long Yan nodded. "Very well. I’ll arrange for someone to take you to him."
Su Mo let out a breath of relief.
Someone soon arrived to lead her, Fei Yan, and Yue Ying to the Dragon Clan’s prison.
Long Yan didn’t send anyone to supervise them; he even had all the personnel inside withdrawn.
Su Mo hurried toward a figure suspended in the shadows. As she drew closer, she saw a person covered in blood and wounds.
Shock and worry flashed across Su Mo’s face. "They tortured you?!"
Yue Ying cried out, "These hypocrites from the Dragon Clan! I knew they were up to no good!"
Fei Yan’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into tight fists.
