Chapter 28

Number 66 courtyard is precisely where Xiao Lingxi resides. It is precisely because this number is so easy to remember that it is well-known among the people of the Xiao Clan. When Xiao Jiu mentioned “Number 66 courtyard,” everyone immediately thought of its owner.

The crowd automatically parted, isolating the spot where Xiao Lingxi stood, leaving her exposed to everyone's eyes with no place to hide. Xiao Lie's face turned pale, while Xiao Che's brows furrowed, his expression becoming incredibly grim. He took a step forward, standing in front of Xiao Lingxi, his chest swelling with rage, nearly bursting.

When Xiao Jiu shouted out “Number 66 courtyard,” Xiao Che finally understood the source of the unease he had felt all along!

Previously, with so many people standing relatively close together, Xiao Kuangyun couldn't pinpoint Xiao Lingxi's exact location. But now, he could see her clearly. In an instant, his eyes lit up, emitting a predatory gleam. This girl looked even younger than Xia Qingyue, a true young maiden, but she already had bright eyes and a charming beauty, her face gentle and graceful. Especially her eyes, though filled with panic and fear, remained like a clear, crystalline spring, pure and captivating.

Xiao Kuangyun swallowed hard, his heart churning... Xiao Yulong indeed didn't lie to me! Although Xiao Lingxi is slightly less beautiful than Xia Qingyue, she is only slightly so. But in terms of charm, she is no less. And once she grows up, she might not be any worse than Xia Qingyue... Coming to this remote little place, I actually encountered two beauties of unparalleled grace. This is truly a reward from heaven for my long journey!

Xiao Kuangyun began to feel that his decision to refuse coming to the Xiao Clan was incredibly foolish... Fortunately, he finally couldn't resist his father's command and obediently came here.

"Xiao Lingxi... How could it be you!"

Looking at Xiao Lingxi, Xiao Yunhai's face first showed surprise, then shock, followed by disbelief.

"It's not me! Clan Leader... It's really not me!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head vigorously, her face full of fear. She had indeed thought about stealing the Tongxuan Powder last night, but after being stopped by Xiao Lie, she obediently went back to her room to sleep... She had no knowledge of the theft of the Tongxuan Powder.

"Hmm, I didn't expect this audacious thief to be a little girl," Xiao Kuangyun said sarcastically. "But as I said, whoever it is, they will not be spared!"

"Ah! Xiao Lingxi, how could you... How could you be so reckless and commit such an audacious act! This box of Tongxuan Powder is a precious treasure sent to us from a thousand miles away by the Xiao Clan! What am I to do with you?" Xiao Yunhai sighed heavily, looking as if he was in deep pain.

"Clan Leader! It's not me, really not me! It must... It must be a mistake! It's really not me!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head repeatedly, her face pale.

Xiao Kuangyun flew into a rage, shouting fiercely, "This box of Tongxuan Powder was found under your pillow. If it wasn't you who stole it, did it grow wings and fly there on its own? Little girl, I gave you a chance to confess, but you didn't take it. Now, with solid evidence and countless witnesses, do you still want to deny it? It seems that unless I impose severe punishment, you won't admit it!"

The words "severe punishment" made Xiao Lingxi's whole body tremble. If Xiao Che hadn't quickly supported her, she might have fallen to the ground. Xiao Che's hands clenched tightly, his fingers cracking. He stared at Xiao Kuangyun, his body radiating a true... killing intent for the first time since his rebirth!

"Please calm down, Young Master Xiao!" Xiao Yunhai hurried forward, kneeling on one knee, his face full of pleading. "Xiao Lingxi's theft of the Xiao Clan's treasure is indeed unforgivable, but... but her nature is absolutely not bad. She is very popular in our Xiao Clan. She stole the Tongxuan Powder out of necessity..."

"Necessity? What necessity?" Xiao Kuangyun asked, his face dark.

Xiao Yunhai glanced at Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Che, his face pained. "Xiao Lingxi is the only daughter of our Xiao Clan's Fifth Elder. She has a nephew named Xiao Che, who is one year older than her. Unfortunately, Xiao Che was born with a damaged Xuan Pulse... He has no other talents, and with a damaged Xuan Pulse, his life is already half-ruined. Xiao Lingxi loves Xiao Che very much and has always been searching for a way to heal his Xuan Pulse... This is well-known in our Xiao Clan and even in Liuyun City. Everyone here can testify. The reason Xiao Lingxi dared to steal the Tongxuan Powder is that she heard it could repair damaged Xuan Pulses, and in her desperation to save her nephew, she committed this audacious act."

"Although the crime has been committed and the evidence is clear, I beg Young Master Xiao to consider Xiao Lingxi's young age and her pure heart, and to be lenient. Our entire Xiao Clan will be grateful for your kindness."

Although Xiao Yunhai's posture was humble, his words were sincere and touching, moving everyone. His words also enlightened those who couldn't understand why Xiao Lingxi would dare to steal the Tongxuan Powder... It turned out the Tongxuan Powder could repair damaged Xuan Pulses, which explained everything.

Xiao Che's damaged Xuan Pulse was well-known in Liuyun City, and Xiao Lingxi's deep care for him was also widely known in the Xiao Clan. Thus, it made sense that she would steal the Tongxuan Powder.

Xiao Yunhai had been groveling before Xiao Kuangyun, and many people secretly despised him. But at this moment, everyone felt a genuine admiration for him... To protect a disciple of the Xiao Clan, he risked his safety and dignity, pleading for leniency with reason and emotion, even kneeling on one knee.

Only Xiao Che was coldly smiling in anger... What a perfect performance! On the surface, he was pleading for Xiao Lingxi, but in reality, he was solidifying her guilt! If he were an outsider, he might have believed it too.

"Originally, there was such a background." Xiao Kuangyun's face softened somewhat. He said coldly, "Hmph, I'm not a heartless person. Since she committed this great crime to save her nephew, considering her motives, if she confesses and apologizes, I can consider being lenient..."

"It's not me! It's really not me!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head forcefully, her voice hoarse. "If I did it, I would admit it... But the Tongxuan Powder is really not mine! I don't know why it appeared in my room... It must be a mistake! Clan Leader, please believe me, it's really not me!"

Xiao Lingxi's desperate cries did not move anyone but had the opposite effect due to Xiao Yunhai's previous groundwork... She had the most reason to steal the Tongxuan Powder, and it was found in her room, which was enough to convict her. Xiao Yunhai had already done his best to plead for her, risking his safety and dignity, which moved everyone. Her refusal to admit guilt was seen as ungrateful.

Xiao Kuangyun's face darkened again. He sneered, "Where did it go wrong? The Tongxuan Powder was found in your room by our Xiao Clan members. Do you mean to say they deliberately framed a little girl from the Xiao Clan? Hmm?"

Xiao Kuangyun's words were full of anger and confidence... The prestigious Xiao Clan would deliberately frame a nobody from the Xiao Clan? Anyone would find that laughable.

At this moment, the First Elder of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Li, stood up and pointed at Xiao Lingxi, shouting, "Xiao Lingxi! You have committed a great crime, disgracing the entire Xiao Clan. The Clan Leader even pleaded for you, and Young Master Xiao was willing to be lenient, but you are still so ungrateful! You truly... disappoint us!"

"Ah, not just disappointment, but deep sorrow," the Second Elder, Xiao Bo, shook his head, his face sad. "Despite the Clan Leader's earnest plea, she still... Ah! Xiao Lingxi, the Xiao Clan is a great existence. Would they deliberately frame you? Admitting your mistake and correcting it is the best course of action. Your behavior has disgraced us in front of our friends in Liuyun City."

"I... You... You..." Xiao Lingxi's body trembled, tears welling in her eyes, her mind blank, unable to form a complete sentence.

At this moment, Xiao Che gently squeezed her hand, standing beside her. In a gentle voice that only she could hear, he said, "Auntie, don't be afraid... Don't speak now, because whatever you say won't help. It doesn't matter if they believe you or not. I will always believe in you... The rest, leave it to me."

The rest... leave it to me...

He was weak in Xuan Power and frail in body, growing up under her protection. But this frail body, standing in front of her, saying these simple words, quickly calmed and warmed her panicked, helpless, and cold heart... It was as if she had returned to her childhood, when he would always rush over to protect her from bullies, using his hands, feet, and teeth as the fiercest weapons to keep her from harm...

Xiao Che... she whispered in her heart...

"Cough, cough..." Xiao Che took a few steps forward, coughing to attract everyone's attention. He bowed slightly, smiling, "Young Master Xiao, and the other three distinguished guests from the Xiao Clan, allow me to introduce myself... I am Xiao Lingxi's nephew, the worthless Xiao Che in everyone's eyes. Regarding the stolen and recovered Tongxuan Powder, I have a few questions for the Clan Leader. Is that okay?"

"Oh... You are the famous waste of Liuyun City?" Xiao Kuangyun glanced at him disdainfully, sneering, "You're not trying to plead for your aunt, are you? Well, let's see what you can ask."

"Che..." Xiao Lie's face had turned iron-gray, but Xiao Che silenced him with a gesture behind his back.

"Alright!" Xiao Che nodded, turning to Xiao Yunhai, "Clan Leader, I have a few questions about the Tongxuan Powder..."

Before Xiao Yunhai could respond, Xiao Che asked, "First question... Clan Leader, whether in Xuan Power cultivation or mental cultivation, you are outstanding in our Xiao Clan. Your character is known for being steady and cautious. Otherwise, you wouldn't be the Clan Leader. This is well-known throughout the Xiao Clan and even Liuyun City. So, the question is, with your cautious nature, after receiving such an important treasure from the Xiao Clan, the most logical action would be to keep it with you, as that would be the safest place... But you placed it in the medicine room, which is arguably the least safe place. Can you explain this, Clan Leader?"