The patriarch said, "This is a very serious offense - poisoning a Heaven-grade talent of the Yan family. It is also a very serious accusation, Elder Qiao. Why do you think your great-grandson was poisoned by Elder Rui and Elder Liren? Why would they do that to their own family members?"
Yan Qiao replied, "Patriarch, if you don't trust me, you can ask Elder Zhiyuan. He examined my grandson himself. My great-grandson was poisoned by a Hushroot Blossom. This poison works thirty days after eating it. Thirty days ago, I invited Elder Rui and Elder Liren to my house to help our Yan family's top talents get closer to each other. But while I was busy, someone managed to poison my grandson."
The patriarch looked at Elder Zhiyuan and asked, "Elder Zhiyuan, is this true?"
Yan Zhiyuan replied, "Patriarch Yan Fei was indeed poisoned by Hushroot Blossom, but there is no proof that it was done by Yan Rui and Yan Liren."
The patriarch felt a headache coming on. Poisoning a Heaven-grade talent of the family was a serious offense, and the accused poisoners were two elders who were great-grandparents of the other two Heaven-grade talents. The situation was too complicated.
Yan Liren had enough of the accusations and spoke up, "Patriarch, I had nothing to do with it. My granddaughter and I visited Yan Qiao's household at his invitation. The children sat separately, and I was with Yan Qiao and Yan Rui the entire time. How could I have poisoned the child? A Heaven-grade talent of the family is very important to the family, not just their household, I would never do such a vile thing that could harm the family. I had nothing to do with it."
Yan Rui also said, "Patriarch, just like Yan Liren, I was away from the children too, and my great-grandchild was not feeling well that day either, so I left earlier. I don't know what transpired after that, but I have no reason to poison the child. My great-grandchild came first in the tournament; he is receiving the best resources from the family. I have no reason to harm others"
The patriarch fell silent for a long time. After thinking for a while, he said, "Bring the children here. Let me ask them."
Both Yan Rui and Yan Liren nodded and left to bring their great-grandchildren. Soon, Han Cai and Yan Yue were standing in front of the Patriarch of the Yan family.
The patriarch gave a deep look at these two Heaven-grade talents of the Yan family.
The patriarch spoke with the two children, "You two are one of our family's most talented youngsters. I want you to tell me what happened that day."
Yan Yue, a nine-year-old girl, stood nervously in front of the elders and the patriarch. Her grandfather had told her to put the blame on Yan Kai, saying that he had put the powder in Yan Fei's tea when Yan Fei wasn't looking.
While little Yan Yue was mustering the courage to speak, Han Cai looked at the patriarch with innocent, seven-year-old puppy eyes and said, "Great-grandpa brought me to meet with my sister and brother. The servant brought tea, but the tea smelled bad. It was red. I did not want to drink, but sister Yan Yue kept forcing me, so I wanted to leave. When I was ready to leave, sister Yan Yue asked Brother Yan Fei to give the tea a try. "
All the elders froze, including the patriarch. Was Yan Yu
Yan Liren became furious, "Preposterous! Little spawn, you dare make up stories?"
Yan Qiao didn't believe Han Cai at first, but after hearing about the red tea, which was the color of Hushroot Blossom, he realized that maybe Han Cai was telling the truth. Maybe even Yan Liren had planned to take both Heaven-grade talents in the family so all the resources could go to his great-granddaughter.
Being yelled at, little Han Cai started crying. Seeing his great-grandchild being yelled at, Yan Rui became furious too. He got up and yelled at Yan Liren, "Why are you taking your anger out on my grandchild? What kind of vile things have you taught or made your children do? Leave me and my great-grandchild alone from your conspiracies!"
Yan Qiao said, "Patriarch, I was right. Yan Rui's great-grandchild saw it with his own eyes. The children must have been playing around, but this Yan Liren must have asked the little girl to do this heinous work while the children were playing."
The patriarch intervened and said, "That's enough!"
He looked at the sobbing Han Cai and said, "Little Yan Kai, stop crying. No one will yell at you."
The patriarch then looked at Yan Yue and asked, "Little Yue, did this really happen?"
The frightened nine-year-old shook her head with tears in her eyes.
The patriarch felt another headache coming when suddenly there was a ruckus outside the main hall. He became furious, wondering who was creating such a disturbance outside their household. But before he could speak, one of the leading guards came in, bowed, and said, "Patriarch, Trader Shi wishes to say something about what happened to Yan Fei."
Trader Shi was one of the traders who worked for the Yan family. The patriarch and the elders became even more curious about what he had to say about the poisoning of Yan Fei.
Trader Shi entered the room, looking miserable. He had a black eye, and his clothes were tattered. Just like the two young children, he was also crying.
The patriarch asked Trader Shi, "What happened to you? What do you have to say about what happened in our family?"
Trader Shi was one of the respected traders who worked for the Yan family. Seeing him like this, no one knew what to make of the situation.
Trader Shi bowed, crying, and said, "Forgive me, Patriarch. It was me who gave Hushroot Blossom to Elder Qiao and Elder Liren. I found it during my journey to Verdant City. I gave it as a gift to both elders, not knowing it would be used to poison the great-grandchild of Elder Qiao. I had no harmful intentions toward the Yan family. Please believe me, Patriarch."
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Gifts are always appreciated, but golden tickets and power stones matter a lot too.
If we reach 2000 power stones, I will release two supplementary chapters.
If we reach 1000 golden tickets, I will release five supplementary chapters.
Thank You
