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 Wulangās body.
"Then I must ask Aunt, why canāt my father drink any other kind of wine besides the āfine vintageā that your men bought him?"
Xie PanāEr stepped forward and demanded, her eyes fixed on Mrs. Linās 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. Linās words, Xie PanāEr 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 daughterās dedicated servant, just so people would ridicule me!"
The people in the Flower Hall all agreed with Xie PanāErās words.
Although Xie PanāEr 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! Itās a disgrace!"
Lady Xie sharply cut in, interrupting the argument between Xie PanāEr 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. PanāEr, for now, set aside your past grievances and resentment. Today, letās first resolve the Gu Insect issue affecting your father and brother!"
Xie PanāEr 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 fatherās body was suppressed, he would not feel any pain.
Feeling his sisterās gaze, Xie Siās heart ached for her. For his and their fatherās 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 PanāEr, "Leave the rest to me!"
Xie PanāEr was momentarily stunned by her elder brotherās words. Xie Si then said to her,
"Go and stay with Mother! From now on, just leave everything to me!"
Xie PanāEr, still dazed, obediently went to Mrs. Luoās side, truly entrusting everything to her elder brother.
Seeing the frail Xie Si step forward, Mrs. Lin couldnāt help but sneer.
"So what if itās 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 Familyās 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!"