Chapter 27: Upheaval (6)
Courtyard 66 was exactly the small courtyard where Xiao Lingxi lived. It was precisely because this number was particularly easy to remember that it was well known to everyone in the Xiao Clan. When they heard Xiao Jiu utter "Courtyard 66," everyone immediately thought of its owner.
The crowd parted on its own, isolating where Xiao Lingxi stood, leaving her exposed and with nowhere to hide before everyone's eyes. Xiao Lie's face changed drastically. Xiao Che's brows knitted together, his expression becoming incredibly gloomy in an instant. He took a step forward, standing in front of Xiao Lingxi, a surge of anger swelling in his chest, nearly exploding.
The moment Xiao Jiu shouted those words "Courtyard 66," Xiao Che fully understood what that persistent sense of disharmony had been all along!
Earlier, with so many people and standing relatively clustered together, Xiao Kuangyun hadn't been able to pinpoint Xiao Lingxi's exact location. But now, seeing her clearly, his eyes suddenly lit up, emitting a wolf-like gleam. This girl looked even younger than Xia Qingyue, a true young maiden, yet she already had bright eyes and pretty features, exuding an ethereal charm. Her delicate face was gentle and beautiful. Especially her eyes—though now filled with panic and fear—still resembled a pool of crystalline spring water, clear, transparent, and utterly captivating.
Xiao Kuangyun swallowed hard, his heart surging... That Xiao Yulong really didn't deceive me! Although Xiao Lingxi's beauty was slightly inferior to Xia Qingyue, it was only by a small margin, and her charm would definitely not fall short. Once she matures, she might not be inferior to Xia Qingyue... Coming to this godforsaken little place and encountering two beauties who could be called national beauties—this was truly heaven's reward for my long journey!
Xiao Kuangyun began to feel that his initial refusal to come to the Xiao Clan was a decision of utter stupidity... Fortunately, in the end, he 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 an expression of disbelief.
"It wasn't me! Clan Master... it really wasn't me!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head vigorously, her face full of terror. She had indeed entertained the thought of stealing the Tongxuan Powder last night, but after Xiao Lie stopped her, she obediently went back to sleep... She was completely unaware of the theft of the Tongxuan Powder.
"Oh, I didn't expect this audacious thief to be a little girl after all." Xiao Kuangyun said in a sarcastic tone. "But as I said just now, no matter who it is, there will be no leniency!"
"Alas! Xiao Lingxi, how could you... be so reckless and do something so audacious! This box of Tongxuan Powder is a supreme treasure rushed here from a thousand miles away by the Xiao Sect! How do you expect me... to handle this?" Xiao Yunhai sighed heavily, looking as if he were in extreme pain and regret.
"Clan Master! It wasn't me, I really didn't steal it! It must be... must be some mistake! It really wasn't me!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head over and over, her cheeks already pale.
Xiao Kuangyun grew furious and said harshly, "This box of Tongxuan Powder was found right under your pillow. If you didn't steal it, did it grow wings and fly there by itself? Little girl, I gave you a chance to confess earlier, but you didn't take it. Now the evidence is irrefutable, and countless people inside and outside the Xiao Clan have witnessed it. Do you still intend to deny it? It seems that without severe torture, you won't admit it!"
The words "severe torture" made Xiao Lingxi's entire body tremble. If Xiao Che hadn't quickly supported her, she might have collapsed to the ground. Xiao Che clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking. He stared at Xiao Kuangyun, his entire body erupting with genuine killing intent for the first time since his rebirth!
"Please calm your anger, Young Master Xiao!" Xiao Yunhai hurried forward, abruptly dropping to one knee, his face full of pleading. "Xiao Lingxi stealing the Xiao Sect's possession is indeed an unforgivable crime, but... but her nature is absolutely not bad. She is very well-liked in the Xiao Clan. She stole the Tongxuan Powder only because she had a reason..."
"A reason? What reason?" Xiao Kuangyun said with a dark face.
Xiao Yunhai glanced meaningfully at Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Che, who were standing together, and said with a pained expression, "Xiao Lingxi is the only daughter of our Xiao Clan's Fifth Elder. She has a nephew who is one year older than her, named Xiao Che. Unfortunately, this nephew of hers was born with a crippled Profound Vein... and Xiao Che has no other talents. With his Profound Vein crippled, most of his life is already ruined. Xiao Lingxi has always cared deeply for Xiao Che and has been constantly searching for ways to repair his Profound Vein... Everyone in the Xiao Clan, even in Liuyun City, knows this very well. Everyone present can testify. The reason Xiao Lingxi dared to steal the Tongxuan Powder is clearly because she heard that Tongxuan Powder can repair damaged Profound Veins. In her eagerness to save her nephew, she committed this audacious act."
"Although the crime has been committed, the evidence is conclusive, and there is no room for denial. But I beg Young Master Xiao to consider that our Xiao Lingxi is still young and acts out of pure-hearted love, and to show leniency. The entire Xiao Clan will be grateful for Young Master Xiao's great kindness."
Although Xiao Yunhai's posture was humble, his words were sincere and touched the heart, moving everyone present. His explanation also made it clear to those who couldn't understand why Xiao Lingxi would be so bold as to steal the Tongxuan Powder... So the Tongxuan Powder could also repair damaged Profound Veins. No wonder...
Everyone in Liuyun City knew that Xiao Che was born with a crippled Profound Vein. Xiao Lingxi had always been very protective of him and constantly worried about his Profound Vein, a fact well known in the Xiao Clan. Thus, when they thought of Xiao Lingxi stealing the Tongxuan Powder, it no longer seemed audacious but rather reasonable and justified.
Xiao Yunhai had been acting subservient before Xiao Kuangyun the whole time, and many secretly despised him. But at this moment, everyone felt sincere admiration for him... For the sake of protecting a member of the Xiao Clan, the Clan Master, even when facing an enraged member of the Xiao Sect, still earnestly begged for leniency, speaking rationally and emotionally, and even kneeling on one knee.
Only Xiao Che was laughing coldly in anger... What a flawless performance! On the surface, he was pleading for Xiao Lingxi's forgiveness, but in reality, he was completely sealing her guilt! If he were an outsider, he might even believe that Xiao Lingxi had done it.
"So, there is this underlying reason." After hearing Xiao Yunhai's words, Xiao Kuangyun's expression visibly softened. He said lightly, "Hmph, I am not a heartless person either. Since she committed such a great wrong to save her nephew, considering that sentiment, if she obediently admits her mistake and apologizes, I might consider being leni..."
"It wasn't me! I really didn't steal it!" Xiao Lingxi shook her head forcefully. Gritting her teeth, she cried out in a slightly hoarse voice, "If I had done it, I would definitely admit it... but I truly did not steal the Tongxuan Powder! I don't even know how it ended up in my room... There must be some mistake! Clan Master, please believe me, it really wasn't me!"
Xiao Lingxi's outcry did not move anyone. Instead, because of Xiao Yunhai's earlier groundwork, it had the opposite effect... She had the strongest motive to steal the Tongxuan Powder, and it was found in her room. These facts were enough to firmly convict her. Xiao Yunhai, risking his own dignity and safety, had pleaded with Xiao Kuangyun on her behalf, showing utmost kindness and moving everyone. Yet she still refused to admit it... In the eyes of others, this was simply ingratitude.
Xiao Kuangyun's face, which had just softened, darkened again. He sneered, "What mistake? This Tongxuan Powder was personally found in your room by our people from the Xiao Sect. Do you mean to say that our Xiao Sect deliberately framed you, a little girl from the Xiao Clan? Huh?"
Xiao Kuangyun said this with full anger and confidence... The mighty Xiao Sect, framing someone from the Xiao Clan, who was nothing in their eyes? Anyone hearing this would find it ridiculous.
At this moment, the Xiao Clan's Grand Elder, Xiao Li, stood up, pointed at Xiao Lingxi, and said harshly, "Xiao Lingxi! You committed such a great mistake, bringing shame upon the entire Xiao Clan. The Clan Master personally pleaded for you, and even Young Master Xiao was considering leniency. Yet you are so ungrateful! You have... truly disappointed us!"
"Alas, not just disappointed, but deeply pained," said the Second Elder, Xiao Bo, shaking his head with a sorrowful expression. "The Clan Master pleaded so hard for you, yet she... Alas! Xiao Lingxi, what kind of existence is the Xiao Sect? Would they deliberately wrong you? To err and correct is a great virtue. But acting like this makes us lose face in front of all our friends from Liuyun City."
"I... You... You all..." Facing the relentless, cold gazes, Xiao Lingxi's delicate body trembled, tears swirling in her eyes. Her mind went blank, and she couldn't form a complete sentence.
At that moment, Xiao Che gently squeezed her small hand. Standing beside her, he said in a warm voice only she could hear, "Little Aunt, don't be afraid... Don't speak for now. It doesn't matter if they don't believe you. I will always believe in Little Aunt... Leave the rest to me."
Leave the rest... to me...
He was low in profound power, weak in body, and had always grown up under her protection. Yet now, this frail figure stood before her, speaking these simple words, and her flustered, helpless, ice-cold heart quickly became calm and warm... It was like when they were young, when she was bullied, he would always rush over from afar, stand in front of her, using his hands, feet, and teeth as the fiercest weapons, never letting her suffer the slightest harm...
Little Che... she murmured softly in her heart...
"Ahem..." Xiao Che stepped forward a few paces, coughed a few times, successfully drawing everyone's attention. He bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, and the three other esteemed guests from the Xiao Sect who have traveled far, allow me to introduce myself... I am Xiao Lingxi's nephew, the Xiao Che who is considered a good-for-nothing in everyone's eyes. Regarding the matter of the stolen and then recovered Tongxuan Powder, I have a few questions I'd like to ask the Clan Master. That should be fine, right?"
"Oh... So you're that famous waste from Liuyun City?" Xiao Kuangyun glanced at him sideways and sneered disdainfully. "You're not trying to defend your little aunt, are you? Heh, fine. Let's see what questions you can come up with."
"Che'er..." Xiao Lie, whose face had already turned ashen, spoke softly. But the response he got was Xiao Che making a hushing gesture with his right hand behind his back.
"Very well!" Xiao Che nodded and turned his gaze to Xiao Yunhai. "Clan Master, I have a few questions for you about the Tongxuan Powder..."
Before Xiao Yunhai could respond, Xiao Che started asking on his own: "First question... The Clan Master is outstanding in both profound power cultivation and mental cultivation within our Xiao Clan. In character, you are steady and cautious. Otherwise, you couldn't have become our Clan Master. This is well known throughout the Xiao Clan and even the entire Liuyun City. So, here's the question: Excavator... oh, no, given the Clan Master's usually cautious nature, after receiving such an important treasure from the Xiao Sect, the most appropriate action would be to keep it on your person, because that is the safest place. Yet you placed it in the Medicine Affairs Room, which could be said to be the most unsafe location. Can the Clan Master explain this?"