Liu Sanniang looked at Madam Wei.

Madam Wei checked it out carefully. She sighed. “It’s indeed a rare black dog. Let’s keep it first. It looks like it hasn’t been born for long. It’s hard to say if it can survive.”

Madam Wei placed the black dog back into Liu Sanniang’s arms.

Liu Sanniang said, “I… I don’t know how to raise a dog.”

Mr. Liu replied. “It’s simple. It’s like raising a pig. This dog looks young and probably needs to drink rice soup. I’ll buy some goat milk tomorrow to feed it. Your mother is good. She can raise anything.”

Madam Wei immediately wanted to reject him. She didn’t want to raise it. It was better to throw it away. She already had a son-in-law. With him around, her daughter would be safe.

Anticipating her thoughts, Mr. Liu immediately said, “This dog will be Sanniang’s secret guard. It’s all black and can’t be easily noticed. When Yan isn’t around, it can protect Sanniang.”

Madam Wei swallowed her refusal and replied with difficulty. “Alright, alright.”

Liu Dalang smiled. “Sanniang, give it a name.”

Mr. Liu also chimed in. “Erlang mentioned that this dog can grow very big. Give it an intimidating name.”

Liu Sanniang felt the smooth touch against her palm. She thought for a moment and said, “Can I call it General Black?”

General Black. A general who walked in the night. How powerful!

Mr. Liu nodded and stuck out his thumb. “That’s a good one.”

Madam Wei said helplessly, “Don’t expect too much. I won’t be responsible if it dies.”

Liu Sanniang stroked General Black. “Don’t worry, General Black. You won’t die.”

The black dog officially had a name. It seemed to be happy and rubbed its head against Liu Sanniang’s palm.

Chu Yan looked away and said to Madam Wei and Mr. Liu, “Uncle, Auntie, I’ll go home first.”

Madam Wei and Mr. Liu nodded. “Yeah, thank you for protecting our daughter during these past few days.”

Chu Yan said with a smile, “It’s my responsibility.”

After sending Chu Yan off, Madam Wei began to look for a basin to make a bed for General Black.

Liu Sanniang handed General Black to Madam Wei. It immediately pulled at Liu Sanniang with his black claws and snorted softly.

Madam Wei muttered. “He’s really intelligent. He has already acknowledged Sanniang as his own.”

Liu Sanniang touched General Black’s head. “General Black, you have to be a good dog.”

General Black immediately became obedient.

Madam Wei carried him out.

Liu Sanniang went to wash up.

At night, Madam Wei came to sleep with Liu Sanniang.

Madam Wei said, “Sanniang, do you remember that Yinniang got married on the second day of this month?”

Liu Sanniang nodded. “Yes.”

Madam Wei sighed. In the end, Liu Yinniang still married Liu Shun. “This is fate. We’ve said everything we should and shouldn’t say. They still married off Yinniang to him.”

Liu Sanniang remembered that she had seen Liu Yinniang and Liu Shun walk into the darkness together. This was probably destined from the beginning.

Madam Wei took out an envelope. “Sanniang, this is from Yinniang. On the second day of her marriage, her entire family moved away. Liu Shun wanted to take them to the capital. He said that someone in the capital wants to recruit him.”

Liu Sanniang did not look at it. She put the envelope away.

Everyone had their own choices. No matter whether it was right or wrong, they had to be responsible. She had told Liu Yinniang the truth, but Liu Yinniang chose not to believe her.

However, Liu Shun’s change worried Liu Sanniang.

Why was he chosen by someone in the capital?

Liu Sanniang leaned against Madam Wei and quickly fell asleep. Her life trajectory was different, so it wasn’t surprising that others had a different life path as well.

When her daughter returned to her side, Madam We felt at ease. She naturally slept very well.

Liu Erlang was standing by the door of the Chu family. When he saw Chu Yan return, he chuckled. “Chu Yan, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I’ll sleep with you tonight. No matter what, I’m your future brother-in-law. You won’t reject me, right?”

Chu Yan was speechless.

When Liu Erlang entered the Chu family, he said, “Don’t worry. I’m a heavy sleeper and won’t snore. I won’t disturb you.”

When they reached the room, Liu Erlang looked around. “It’s really clean…”

After lying down, Liu Erlang said, “Sanniang will definitely understand that I’m the brother who loves her the most.”

Chu Yan was speechless.

He couldn’t be bothered to talk to Liu Erlang, but the latter nudged him with his arm. “Chu Yan, you can’t be like this. My sister likes people who like to smile. It’s fine if you don’t like to smile at me, but you should smile more in front of her.”

This time, Chu Yan replied. “Yes.”

She liked the scholarly type. He had always known that.

This time, Liu Erlang did not mutter anymore. He turned over and quickly fell asleep.

Soon, Chu Yan heard the snoring sound.

Liu Erlang even turned around and wanted to hug him.

Chu Yan was speechless.

He wanted to kick Liu Erlang away!

Chu Yan stood up and left, giving the entire bed to Liu Erlang.

Liu Erlang was completely unconscious. He hugged the pillow and was muttering something.

…

The next morning, after Liu Sanniang ate breakfast, Madam Wei went to the restaurant. Before she left, she fed General Black.

Liu Sanniang went to the government office and told Wei Shilai about Zhao Anhuai. She emphasized upon the black pill.

Wei Shilai frowned with a complicated expression. “Miss Liu, this is mind-blowing.”

The black pill was a poison hidden in the stomach.

Hong Ying had also mentioned the black pill at that time.

Liu Sanniang made a bold guess. “Sir, if the eldest son of the Yuezhou magistrate can be swapped, what about others?”

Would similar things happen to officials in other places?

Wei Shilai felt his blood run cold.

“I’ll report this to the emperor. This is a serious matter.”

The person behind them used the black pill to control them. It was really terrifying. What was his motive? Wei Shilai didn’t dare to imagine what the imperial court would become in less than ten years if no one found out about this.

Liu Sanniang nodded. She did not know who was behind it or what they wanted to do either.

Wei Shilai sighed. “Miss Liu, I might have to leave Yong County soon. Third Prince recommended me to be the minister of Xuanyi department. This is a newly established official position. The emperor conferred me with the rank of a fifth-grade official and has given me special privileges in investigating cases.”

Next year, at the latest, he would enter the capital to take office.