Robert Jiang, standing to the side, could barely contain his glee. If the envoy from the main family weren’t present, he might have already been jumping with joy.
Only Otto Jiang remained calm, standing expressionless as if Sophia Xu’s misfortune had nothing to do with him.
Terra Su watched Otto Jiang’s behavior coldly, sensing that the envoy’s visit today was likely not just about assigning blame.
After finishing his notes, the envoy finally spoke, “Alright, let’s get to the main point. My visit today is not primarily about your family division but another important matter.”
Everyone present perked up, knowing the main event was about to begin.
“I’ve heard that the Patriarch’s Seal of the Jiang Family in Clear River City has been missing for some time?” the envoy asked.
“Yes, sir,” Otto Jiang replied respectfully, bowing his head slightly. “Ever since the previous patriarch passed away ten years ago, no one has known the whereabouts of the Patriarch’s Seal. We’ve searched everywhere but to no avail. Consequently, the position of the family head in Clear River City has remained vacant, even after the family split. The North Jiang Manor still has no patriarch.”
“Indeed, that’s why I’m here. The loss of the Patriarch’s Seal is a significant matter and cannot be ignored.”
“Moreover, each branch’s Patriarch’s Seal is specially made by the main family. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could tarnish our family’s reputation,” the envoy said. “Therefore, my purpose here is to urge you to find any clues about the Patriarch’s Seal and retrieve it as soon as possible.”
“Sir!” Robert Jiang immediately spoke up, “I have something to say about the Patriarch’s Seal!”
“Oh? Do you have any clues about the seal?” the envoy asked.
“Not me,” Robert Jiang shook his head and pointed at Terra Su. “It’s him, Terra Su!”
“I want to say that he has clues about the Patriarch’s Seal but has been withholding them from us!”
“Moreover, he is not even a member of the Jiang Family, just an outsider. I have every reason to suspect that he harbors ill intentions towards the position of the North Jiang Manor’s patriarch. Otherwise, why would he keep the clues to himself?” Robert Jiang accused angrily.
“Is this true?” The envoy’s gaze fell on Terra Su. “You, Terra Su, why are you in the Jiang Family?”
Sophia Xu quickly responded, “Sir, Little Terra is my nephew, not an outsider. Moreover, Robert Jiang’s claims are false. Little Terra has no idea where the Patriarch’s Seal is.”
Robert Jiang sneered, “Second sister-in-law, you really know how to lie with a straight face. You saw it yourself last time; despite never having been to the Jiang Family before, he could draw the details of the Patriarch’s Seal that disappeared ten years ago. Isn’t that proof enough that he has seen it before?”
“Seeing it or not doesn’t prove anything,” Sophia Xu defended Terra Su. “Our South Jiang Manor has already split from the North Jiang Manor. The position of the North Jiang Manor’s patriarch has nothing to do with us. What use would Little Terra have for the Patriarch’s Seal?”
“Precisely because of that, I suspect that your South Jiang Manor harbors ill intentions towards the North Jiang Manor. Are you planning to use the Patriarch’s Seal to oust me and my brother, so you can take over both the North and South Jiang Manors?” Robert Jiang accused, glaring.
“Utter nonsense!” Sophia Xu was furious. If she or Terra Su had such intentions, they wouldn’t have bothered with the family split in the first place; they would have taken over the patriarch’s position directly.
“If you want to prove your innocence, then tell us where the Patriarch’s Seal is,” Robert Jiang sneered.
“I’ve already said I don’t know where the seal is. If I did, I would have told you long ago,” Sophia Xu frowned.
“You don’t know, but does this boy behind you also not know?” Robert Jiang glanced at Terra Su with a cold smile. “With the main family’s envoy here, I advise you not to play any tricks. Reveal the clues to the Patriarch’s Seal honestly. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not warning you when the envoy gets angry.”
Sophia Xu was about to say something when the envoy spoke slowly, “If that’s the case, then let me make it clear: anyone who deliberately conceals clues about the Patriarch’s Seal is an enemy of the main Jiang Family.”
“If anyone has any information about the seal, they should speak up immediately to avoid harm to themselves and others.”
The envoy’s voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling and oppressive aura. Those with weaker wills might have already succumbed to the pressure.
Sophia Xu glanced at Terra Su, who shook his head at her. She then looked the envoy straight in the eye, unafraid, and said, “We don’t know where the Patriarch’s Seal is.”
“Are you sure?” the envoy asked calmly.
Sophia Xu shook her head firmly, “We don’t know.”
At the same time, Sophia Xu felt a bit puzzled. Why was the envoy so keen on finding the Patriarch’s Seal? Although he mentioned that the seal was specially made by the main family and could tarnish their reputation if it fell into the wrong hands, this reason alone didn’t seem enough to justify his enthusiasm.
The envoy stared at Sophia Xu without speaking, and the atmosphere grew tense. His expression gave everyone in the hall a sense of impending doom, as if the air had frozen.
However, after a moment, the envoy did not react as everyone expected. Instead, he said lightly, “Have some tea.”
With that, the envoy picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip.
Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. The envoy was indeed unpredictable. Seeing his earlier demeanor, they had thought a storm was imminent.
It turned out to be a false alarm. Relaxed, everyone picked up their teacups and began to drink.
Otto Jiang also took a sip of his tea, glancing at Sophia Xu, who hadn’t moved. He casually remarked, “Second sister-in-law, why aren’t you drinking?”
Sophia Xu was taken aback but didn’t think much of it. Seeing everyone else drinking, she brought the teacup to her lips.
At that moment, a surge of True Essence shattered the teacup in her hand, spilling tea everywhere and soaking her dress.
A North Jiang Manor elder immediately stood up and scolded, “Terra Su, what are you doing? How dare you be so rude in front of the main family’s envoy?”
—The one who had shattered the teacup was Terra Su.
“Little Terra!” Sophia Xu was stunned, not understanding why Terra Su had acted so suddenly.
“The tea is poisoned!” Terra Su declared.
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