Chapter 97

The Xiao residence is located at the farthest end of the western district of the imperial capital, just one li away from the western city gate. It is not very large and is considered quite low-key among the noble families.

It is in this unassuming mansion that the Xiao family, a colossal force capable of making the entire empire tremble with a single stomp, lies hidden.

In the study of the main building, Xiao Qing sat behind a desk, holding a stack of papers in his hand. The water in the teacup on the desk had already cooled, but it was still full, showing no signs of having been touched.

His appearance could be considered handsome, but at first glance, everyone would be drawn to the powerful aura of a superior, rarely paying attention to his looks.

As the most low-key head of the Xiao family in generations, Xiao Qing rarely appeared in public. In recent years, he had even delegated most of the social engagements among the noble families to his second son, Xiao Wuqing.

At this moment, this dream lover of countless young women in the Great Qian Empire, the second young master of the Xiao family, Xiao Wuqing, was standing respectfully to the right of Xiao Qing, head bowed, silent.

Standing across the desk from Xiao Qing was a middle-aged man in his forties, slightly overweight but not obese, with a slightly dark complexion, regular features, and a pair of sharp, resolute eyes.

This man was none other than Ye Qun, Xiao Qing's brother-in-law and the head of the Silver Ring Merchant Guild, one of the three major merchant guilds in the empire.

"You have disappointed me," Xiao Qing slowly put down the documents in his hand and looked up at Ye Qun. "With all the resources I provided, the Shengyu Merchant Guild not only survived but even had the strength to counterattack."

"The influence of 'Sai Shenshan' far exceeds my expectations," Ye Qun's expression remained calm. "I thought Shangguan Mingyue would take a high-end approach, but she launched two different qualities, targeting even ordinary people. According to inside information, the sales of 'Sai Shenshan' in just a few days have offset the Shengyu Merchant Guild's losses for nearly half a year. This time, the Shangguan family not only avoided a disaster but has thoroughly come back to life."

"Is this 'Sai Shenshan' really so miraculous?" Xiao Qing had never tasted salt.

"I've heard that many nobles in the imperial capital with anorexia have been cured by 'Sai Shenshan'," Ye Qun said in a deep voice.

"Where did Shangguan Mingyue get this formula?" Xiao Qing furrowed his brow.

"I heard that she spent some time in the Qingyun Mountains in the southern border province, often appearing in a sect called the Piaohua Palace," Ye Qun thought for a moment. "This time, she suddenly came up with this killer move, which must have some connection to the 'Piaohua Palace'."

"Piaohua Palace." Xiao Qing felt the name was familiar and searched his memory. "Wasn't it the sect that caused Jian'er to suffer?"

"Yes, Father," Xiao Wuqing said from the side. "The eldest daughter of the Lin family is the palace master of the Piaohua Palace, the Tielun expert who defeated the eldest brother."

"In that case, this sect is quite interesting," Xiao Qing stroked his chin. "The Lin family has been courting us for some time. Wuqing, go again and ask for a response."

"Yes."

"That Qingyun Mountain area is indeed strange," Ye Qun suddenly said. "Not only did the eldest young master suffer a loss there, but our Silver Ring also found it difficult to move. To cooperate with the honored guest from the Holy Land, I not only lost a Third Ring executive but also had to sacrifice a Tielun elder from the Yuxu Sect."

"Who did it?" Xiao Qing's expression was calm, but his fingers were tapping the desk.

"According to the only Second Ring executive who escaped, it was a trap set by the Shengyu Merchant Guild and the Nangong family," Ye Qun's expression was strange. "This executive managed to fool the enemy by pretending to be dead and overheard their conversation. It seems that even the honored guest from the Holy Land was killed by the Nangong family."

"Nangong family?" Xiao Qing looked surprised. "How is that possible? If the Nangong family and the Shengyu Merchant Guild set such a trap, how could a mere Second Ring executive escape their notice?"

"You're right. If he had been turned, he wouldn't have fabricated such a ridiculous lie," Ye Qun nodded. "Most likely, the enemy pretended not to notice him and deliberately revealed false information to create a rift between the Xiao family and the Nangong family. However, the description of the honored guest from the Holy Land was spot on, so..."

"This organization always acts without leaving a trace. If he saw the guest's appearance and still managed to return, it's likely that the guest was indeed killed by the enemy." Xiao Qing's expression was grim. "Shangguan Tong, I underestimated you."

At this moment, a messenger bird flew in through the window and perched on Ye Qun's shoulder.

Ye Qun took out the letter and his expression immediately turned dark.

"Head of the family, another bad news," he said with a bitter smile. "Our share in the spirit medicine market has been taken back by the Shengyu Merchant Guild by one-tenth."

"What!" Xiao Qing, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, showed a hint of anger for the first time. "How did you handle this? I emphasized repeatedly that no matter how many resources we invest, we must hold the spirit medicine market firmly. This concerns the survival of the entire Xiao family. Do you treat it as a game?"

"It's not that I didn't try. More than two-thirds of the spirit medicine sources in the Great Qian Empire are already under my control," Ye Qun's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "However, the Shengyu Merchant Guild recently opened a new channel, with a large quantity of high-quality herbs at prices much lower than ours. In the past year, we have already spent most of our funds to secure spirit medicine resources. To engage in a price war now, we are simply out of resources."

"Cousin, with such a good source of spirit medicine, why doesn't the Silver Ring Merchant Guild try to contact them?" Xiao Wuqing asked.

"It's not that easy. This new spirit medicine shop is called 'Qingfeng Pavilion'," Ye Qun rubbed his forehead. "It belongs to the Piaohua Palace."

"Again, the Piaohua Palace!" Xiao Qing looked at his second son in surprise. "Wuqing, your insight is indeed better than mine. This obscure sect is not simple. When you go to the Lin family, bring more gifts and use both soft and hard tactics. No matter what, you must secure this marriage."

"Yes." Xiao Wuqing bowed in response.

"Brother-in-law, you can go back now. Remember, at any cost, you must regain our share in the spirit medicine market." Xiao Qing's voice quickly returned to its calm state, and he waved at Ye Qun.

Watching his brother-in-law leave the study, Xiao Qing heavily sat down in his chair, massaging his eye sockets with two fingers, a rare sign of fatigue on his face.

"Father, with the power of the Xiao family, I doubt the Lin family would dare to refuse the marriage," Xiao Wuqing came to Xiao Qing's back and gently massaged his shoulders. "Once the palace master of the Piaohua Palace marries into the Xiao family, the formula for 'Sai Shenshan' and Qingfeng Pavilion will all be yours."

"Wuqing, you don't understand. Our situation is urgent, and we can't wait any longer," Xiao Qing said earnestly. "The problem with the Shengyu Merchant Guild must be solved immediately."

"Should I try to court Shangguan Mingyue?" Xiao Wuqing asked cautiously.

"That girl is very shrewd. Even you might not find it easy to succeed," Xiao Qing shook his head. "Time is not on our side. In such a critical period, extraordinary measures must be taken."

"What do you mean?" A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Wuqing's eyes.

"Everything is for the Xiao family." Xiao Qing closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and seemed to fall into a deep sleep.

*****************************************************************

"Sister, seven days have passed. You don't need to apply the medicine anymore."

Zhong Wen held a silk handkerchief, dipped it in the clear water in the basin in front of him, and gently wiped the ointment off Ye Qinglian's face.

Ye Qinglian sat stiffly in the chair, not daring to move, her eyes filled with anxiety.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment if it fails. She couldn't help but feel nervous.

Ye Qinglian, who had already given up hope, was suddenly rekindled by Zhong Wen. If she were told now that the treatment failed, she wasn't sure if she could bear the blow, or if she would go mad and tear this young man to pieces in her extreme despair.

After washing off the last bit of ointment, a stunningly beautiful oval face appeared before Zhong Wen. With arched eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, and a delicate cherry lip, her snow-white skin was flawless, showing no signs of injury. Her anxious eyes added a touch of modesty to her already beautiful face, making one feel a surge of pity.

"I was right." Zhong Wen smiled and held a mirror in front of Ye Qinglian. "Sister Qinglian is truly one of the most beautiful women in the world."

"Is... is this me?" Ye Qinglian held the mirror with her left hand and touched her face with her right, her voice trembling. "Is it really cured?"

"The results are even better than I expected." Zhong Wen wrung out the handkerchief and wiped his hands. "I'm not sure if it's because of the abundant spiritual energy here, but Sister's skin has recovered to 95%, almost completely healed."

Ye Qinglian stared at the mirror in her hand, her eyes misty, not sure if she heard Zhong Wen's words.

After a long while, she came to her senses, her eyes like autumn water, and she said in a gentle tone she had never used before, "Thank you, Zhong Wen."

"Sister Qinglian, since your injury is cured, what about Sister Nangong..." Zhong Wen rubbed his hands and smiled flatteringly.

"You can rest assured. I, Ye Qinglian, may have many faults, but I am always trustworthy," Ye Qinglian smiled, her beauty like a hundred flowers blooming. "If Miss Nangong doesn't want to return to the capital, I will stay here to protect her."

"By the way, you said my skin has recovered 95%. What about the remaining 5%..." Ye Qinglian's face turned red, a rare sight.

Zhong Wen: "......"

She was so satisfied just a moment ago, but now she suddenly found it imperfect. Women's demands for their appearance truly have no limits.

"Don't misunderstand. I am already very satisfied with how it is now," Ye Qinglian, seeing Zhong Wen's strange expression, felt even more embarrassed. "I was just curious and asked out of curiosity."

"It's not impossible," Zhong Wen sighed. "I just don't know if Sister is willing."