Chapter 29

"Xiao Che! What do you mean by that?" Elder Xiao Li immediately roared in anger: "Are you questioning that the Master stole the Tongxuan Powder and then framed Xiao Lingxi? The theft of the Tongxuan Powder was also caused by you. If you continue to speak nonsense, be careful, you will be punished as well. Step down!"

"Elder, don't get so worked up." Xiao Che shook his head with a smile, looking harmless: "I don't have the courage to question the Master. I'm just asking about my doubts, and I believe many people here share the same doubts. After all, those who know the Master's character are not few, and they must find the Master's actions this time very strange. The Master is, of course, innocent and could never do such a despicable thing that even pigs and dogs would disdain. So, the Master will certainly give the perfect explanation, right, Master?"

The people of the Xiao Clan and the major nobles of Liuyun City were secretly stunned... They knew Xiao Che as a weak and humble person who would even be nervous when dealing with outsiders. Now, not only was he speaking confidently in front of everyone in a very tense atmosphere, but he also remained calm in the face of Elder Li's outburst... This Xiao Che was completely different from the one they knew.

The words "despicable, even pigs and dogs would disdain" made Xiao Yunhai's face twitch. He looked up at Xiao Che and said with a faint smile: "Elder, there's no need to get so worked up. It's normal for Xiao Che to have such doubts. I believe, as he said, many friends here also have the same doubts. In fact, when I received the Tongxuan Powder from Young Master Xiao yesterday, I did plan to keep it with me. However, the Tongxuan Powder is a high-grade elixir brought by the Xiao Clan, extremely precious. The higher the grade of the elixir, the more easily its medicinal power can dissipate. Such a precious elixir, even if just a trace of its medicinal power dissipates, it would be a great loss. If I kept it with me, frequent exposure to impure air, even with the protection of Black玄Wu Wood, it would still easily dissipate. Therefore, I placed it in the pharmacy. After all, the pharmacy has accumulated various herbs for many years, with a very rich 'medicinal aura.' In places with abundant 'medicinal aura,' the aura of spiritual herbs is less likely to dissipate... That's the reason."

"Another reason is that we in the Xiao Clan have always valued propriety and etiquette. I never thought there would be a 'traitor' in the family, let alone one bold enough to steal a precious gift from the Xiao Clan... But no matter what the reason, the theft of the Tongxuan Powder is largely due to my negligence. I cannot shirk this responsibility. If Young Master Xiao wants to punish me, I have no complaints."

After Xiao Yunhai finished speaking, he sighed heavily.

Xiao Yunhai's explanation was flawless. Elder Li immediately roared again: "Xiao Che! Did you hear that clearly? The Master placed the Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy to protect its medicinal power! Who would have thought there would be a traitor! What else do you have to say?"

"Oh, oh! I see!" Xiao Che nodded, seemingly very satisfied with Xiao Yunhai's explanation: "The Master is indeed well-versed, even knowing about the existence of 'medicinal aura.' Then, my second question is related to this 'medicinal aura.'"

Xiao Che narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly: "Speaking of 'medicinal aura,' our Xiao Clan's pharmacy has accumulated various herbs for decades, indeed in great abundance. And because the 'Shulucao' is the most abundant, the 'medicinal aura' mainly has a sweet and pungent smell."

"The Master also knows that the box containing the Tongxuan Powder is made of Black玄Wu Wood, which can effectively protect the elixir's medicinal power from dissipating. Does the Master know why Black玄Wu Wood can protect the elixir's medicinal power... Well, the principle is actually very simple. Black玄Wu Wood has a strong ability to adsorb particles. When the medicinal power touches the Black玄Wu Wood, it is firmly adsorbed and very difficult to dissipate. Once it reaches saturation on the surface, the medicinal power cannot dissipate even if it wants to. I believe this principle is known to anyone with a basic understanding of medicine."

Many people in the room nodded silently.

"If the Black玄Wu Wood box containing the Tongxuan Powder had been placed in the pharmacy for some time, it would have absorbed a large amount of the pharmacy's 'medicinal aura.' Given the characteristics of Black玄Wu Wood, it absorbs quickly but dissipates very slowly. Even if it were taken out of the pharmacy and left for two or three days, it should still have a noticeable 'medicinal aura' when approached... that is, the sweet and pungent smell of Shulucao..."

As these words were spoken, Xiao Yunhai's face changed slightly.

Xiao Che had calculated that Xiao Yunhai could not have really placed the Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy, because if it were really stolen, he would be in deep trouble... And indeed, Xiao Yunhai had not placed the Tongxuan Powder in the pharmacy. As for the pharmacy, Xiao Gu had already been informed, and with the threat of the Xiao Clan, how could Xiao Gu dare to say no?

"Does the Master dare to bring the box over and let us smell if it has the expected odor?" Xiao Che said with a smile.

"Xiao Che! You are indeed questioning the Master, which is utterly unreasonable!" Before Xiao Yunhai could speak, Xiao Li was already furious again: "To protect your aunt, you are even daring to question the Master, which is absurd and ridiculous! Unreasonable! Our Xiao Clan has truly wasted years raising you. Get out of here!"

"Ha ha, Elder, there's no need to get so worked up. Their aunt and nephew have always had a good relationship, so it's understandable that they want to find a reason to exonerate her. And what he said is quite reasonable. Since he wants to know if there's anything wrong with the box, we should show it to him. However, the Tongxuan Powder and the Black玄Wu Wood are treasures, and cannot be touched casually." After saying this, Xiao Yunhai turned to Xiao Kuangyun and said respectfully: "Then, I'll trouble Young Master Xiao to be a witness. I believe Young Master Xiao is the most convincing person to do this."

Xiao Che secretly sneered but kept his expression unchanged, nodding slightly: "Of course, if it's Young Master Xiao, he is the most trustworthy. Please, Young Master Xiao, smell the box to resolve my doubts."

Xiao Kuangyun and Xiao Yunhai exchanged a glance, both thinking that Xiao Che, the fool, had no idea that this was all their joint act. Xiao Kuangyun picked up the box, smiled disdainfully, and said lightly: "This is quite an interesting question. Since that's the case, I'll smell it for you."

After saying this, Xiao Kuangyun lifted the box containing the Tongxuan Powder, brought it close to his nose, and smelled it carefully, then frowned slightly and said: "Although it's not very strong, there is indeed a sweet and pungent smell."

He narrowed his eyes and said lightly: "Elder, come and smell it too, so no one can question if I colluded with the Master."

"Of what status is Young Master Xiao, how could he lie?" Elder Xiao Li hurriedly flattered, obediently leaning in to smell it, then nodded: "That's right, there is indeed a sweet and pungent smell." He glared and said sternly: "Xiao Che, what else do you have to say? Young Master Xiao and the Master have given you a great deal of face. If you continue to make trouble, I will personally throw you out."

"Oh, oh! Elder, calm down." Xiao Che waved his hand, then his expression became strange: "Young Master Xiao and Elder both smelled the sweet and pungent smell, this... this... cough, actually, I made a mistake just now... Young Master Xiao, being of high status, must only deal with high-grade elixirs. Shulucao is a common herb, he would certainly not even glance at it. The Master and Elder focus on cultivation and do not study medicine, so they naturally have no time to enter the pharmacy. They may not know that the smell of Shulucao is not sweet and pungent, but sweet and bitter. Anyone who goes to the pharmacy now can verify this... Hmm? Young Master Xiao and Elder both smelled the pungent smell, which I really can't understand. Can anyone here help explain?"

As these words were spoken, everyone's faces changed dramatically. In contrast, Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and Elder Xiao Li's faces stiffened for a moment... Although it was just a moment, it was enough for many people to see clearly. And some Xiao Clan disciples who knew the smell of Shulucao and frequently visited the pharmacy were stunned...

Many people's hearts began to race...

They began to sense a different kind of atmosphere...

"Xiao Che! You little brat, still talking nonsense... Not only are you trying to protect Xiao Lingxi, but you are also daring to question the Master and Young Master Xiao! You are just playing with us!" Xiao Li's face turned green, his eyes filled with anger: "Young Master Xiao, Master, don't listen to his nonsense! The theft of the Tongxuan Powder is already clear, there's no need to waste more time. Xiao Che is not only the cause but also protecting a criminal and offending the Master and Young Master Xiao, and should be punished!"

Anyone with ears could hear the anger and embarrassment in Xiao Li's words. He completely avoided explaining the "mistaken" smell.

"Since Elder Xiao doesn't want to waste words, I won't waste more words. The last question, I want to ask this friend of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Jiu. For you, this is an extremely simple question, and I believe you can answer it. If you can answer, then I will admit that my aunt stole the Tongxuan Powder, and you can punish my aunt or even me, and I will have no complaints!"

After saying this, without waiting for Xiao Yunhai and the others to react, Xiao Che's gaze fell on Xiao Jiu's deadpan face. His expression remained indifferent, but his eyes were sharp, and he asked firmly: "Xiao Jiu, you said the Tongxuan Powder was found under my aunt's pillow. Can you tell me, is the bed in my aunt's room on the east or west side? What color is the pillow? Is it placed at the south or north end of the bed?"

Xiao Jiu's face stiffened instantly, and Xiao Kuangyun, Xiao Yunhai, and the others' faces turned extremely ugly.

"If you had been to my aunt's room and found the Tongxuan Powder under her pillow, these questions would be extremely simple for you... Come, tell me your answer. As soon as you speak, my aunt and I will admit guilt without a word. Yes, I believe you, Young Master Xiao, the Master, and all the elders want this matter resolved quickly and then proceed with today's business. So, hurry up and speak, it's not good to waste your master's and everyone's time... Speak! Speak... Hmm? Why aren't you speaking? Didn't you clearly go to my aunt's room? How can you not answer such a simple question?"

"Could it be... you never went to my aunt's room at all? Then, how could you say the Tongxuan Powder was found under her pillow... Could you be a legendary long-distance thief?"