This was a threat, a blatant threat. Those unaware of the circumstances did not understand why Mrs. Lin, of all things, would say this.
But those who knew the truth understood quite well: the wine was not some precious vintage, but merely medicinal liquor used to suppress the Gu Poison in Xie Wulang’s body.
"Then I must ask Aunt, why can’t my father drink any other kind of wine besides the ’fine vintage’ that your men bought him?"
Xie Pan’Er stepped forward and demanded, her eyes fixed on Mrs. Lin’s face, where a trace of anger was visible.
"Why, is there something wrong with the wine I bought for your family?"
"Little Miss Third, you grew up with my daughter Yingying. How can you not appreciate my kindness, and instead choose to be so ungrateful?"
At Mrs. Lin’s words, Xie Pan’Er let out a derisive laugh.
"Aunt, you really know how to flatter yourself. You raised Yingying and me together for the sole purpose of getting revenge on my mother. You wanted me to be your daughter’s dedicated servant, just so people would ridicule me!"
The people in the Flower Hall all agreed with Xie Pan’Er’s words.
Although Xie Pan’Er and Xie Yingying had spent all these years in their ancestral home in the South and had only returned to Capital City the day before, it was clear how Mrs. Lin and Xie Yingying had treated her in the past.
"Stop your nonsense and stop trying to slander me!"
"Enough! Stop your quarreling! It’s a disgrace!"
Lady Xie sharply cut in, interrupting the argument between Xie Pan’Er and Mrs. Lin.
Lady Ji calmly interjected, "Lady Xie is right. I came here today specifically for this matter of the Mother-Child Gu Insect. Pan’Er, for now, set aside your past grievances and resentment. Today, let’s first resolve the Gu Insect issue affecting your father and brother!"
Xie Pan’Er replied, "Yes," then turned her gaze to her father and brother.
At this moment, Xie Wulang was still in a half-asleep, half-awake state, his eyes hazy with intoxication.
Xie Si, on the other hand, was perfectly fine. However, the Gu Insect in his body was the child Gu; as long as the Gu Insect in his father’s body was suppressed, he would not feel any pain.
Feeling his sister’s gaze, Xie Si’s heart ached for her. For his and their father’s sake, their mother had endured years of torment from their eldest aunt, while their father, having crippled his own legs, spent his days with wine as his companion to suppress the Gu Insect in his body.
And his younger sister, whether she had been ignorant before or now knew the truth, was striving for their freedom.
Xie Si felt deeply ashamed. As her elder brother, he should have been the one to step forward for their family!
"Sister!" Xie Si took a step forward and said to Xie Pan’Er, "Leave the rest to me!"
Xie Pan’Er was momentarily stunned by her elder brother’s words. Xie Si then said to her,
"Go and stay with Mother! From now on, just leave everything to me!"
Xie Pan’Er, still dazed, obediently went to Mrs. Luo’s side, truly entrusting everything to her elder brother.
Seeing the frail Xie Si step forward, Mrs. Lin couldn’t help but sneer.
"So what if it’s up to you now? Without evidence, what can you do to me?"
Xie Si did not offer any rebuttal but instead turned and cupped his hands respectfully towards Lady Ji and Xiaosuisui, saying,
"Today, this is originally our Xie Family’s affair. However, this matter involves the Gu Insect, which originates from Nanjiang. Therefore, I request the Eldest Princess and Lady Ji to bear witness.
Since my eldest aunt claims this matter has nothing to do with her, then I, Xie Si, will investigate it myself. Once I find evidence, I hope the Eldest Princess will deliver a fair judgment!"