Chapter 80: A Time Fraught with Troubles

The two brothers continued their practice while Wanqi Yi carried Xuan Xuan into the living room and handed her over to Tong Wan. He turned to Wanqi Lianhao, who had followed him in, and asked, “Have you found out the origin of the ‘Source of Magic’ potion being sold at Wanbao Pavilion?”

The Wanqi family, naturally, was aware of the matters concerning Wanbao Pavilion and the Qizhen Auction House. These were closely related to them. They did not insist on exclusive rights, but it was essential to determine the true origin of the potion. If it still came from Xuan Xuan’s teacher, they had no objections. If it came from elsewhere, that was another matter altogether.

Wanqi Lianhao seated himself and shook his head. “Not yet. Father suspects it’s not the work of Xuan Xuan’s teacher?”

Xuan Xuan, who was quietly having her breakfast, looked up at her father and grandfather when she heard her name. What were they talking about?

“It’s possible it came from another source. I’m worried there’s an insider. Go to the warehouse at the Pearl Tower today and conduct a thorough inspection. These are turbulent times; we don’t need any more troublemakers,” Wanqi Yi instructed.

Wanqi Lianhao nodded. He, too, felt that Xuan Xuan’s teacher had no reason to sell items through an auction. After all, with just the Pearl Tower alone, they would offer her anything she wanted.

“As for Wanbao Pavilion and Qizhen Auction House...” Wanqi Yi paused to consider before continuing, “Let’s not concern ourselves with Qizhen Auction House for now. Keep an eye on them, but don’t let them trace anything back to us. As for the Zhan family—”

He glanced at Xuan Xuan. “Go online today and see if you can reach Xuan Xuan’s teacher. Discuss things with her. The potion market is too vast for us to handle alone. Let’s join forces with the Zhan family.”

“Father,” Wanqi Lianhao said, “this is no small matter. Can we trust the Zhan family?”

Wanqi Yi smiled. “If the Zhan family can no longer be trusted, then the Federation is truly on the brink of collapse. I’m only worried Xuan Xuan’s teacher might not agree. Discuss it with her. I recall Xuan Xuan mentioning her teacher is acquainted with Zhan Yu, so there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

Wanqi Lianhao nodded, though he couldn’t help but feel uneasy about working with Zhan Yu, even if partnering with the Zhan family itself was acceptable.

“As for that Kuang family boy and Zhan Yu, they did save Xuan Xuan. No matter what you find out today, tomorrow I want you to take Xuan Xuan to visit both of their families.”

“I’m not sure this is the right time,” Wanqi Lianhao hesitated. The others were already anxious. If he visited both the Zhan and Kuang families now, those people might not be able to sit still.

“Let them suspect as they wish. I can still keep them in check for a few more years. The bigger the commotion, the better,” Wanqi Yi replied. “If we let them move quietly in the shadows, I won’t be able to control them. I want them anxious and out in the open, where I can manage them.”

“Yes, Father. I understand.”

As Xuan Xuan finished her breakfast and watched her father head to the study to log onto the Star Network, she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly. She wasn’t even on the Star Network—where would her father go to find her “teacher”?

Once her father was out of sight, Xuan Xuan quickly ate two more pieces of dried meat before slipping into her room and logging onto the Star Network. She didn’t dare keep her father waiting too long.

At that moment, Wanqi Lianhao was coldly staring at Wanqi Wu in his office. “Where is it?”

Wanqi Wu kept wiping the sweat from his brow, feeling immense pressure from the third young master. “I don’t know, Third Young Master. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known anything was missing at all.”

“How much exactly?” Wanqi Lianhao scrutinized Wanqi Wu, weighing the credibility of his words. Achieving the position of supervisor at the Pearl Tower wasn’t easy, and Wanqi Yi trusted him. Wanqi Lianhao trusted his father’s judgment. Only after nodding did he ask again.

“Two bottles of intermediate ‘Magic Potion’ and one bottle of Volcanic Potion,” Wanqi Wu replied, wiping his sweat even faster. He knew the value of these items. If it were just a simple loss, it might not be so bad, but now both Wanbao Pavilion and Qizhen Auction House were aware, and so far only one bottle had surfaced. The whereabouts of the other two were still a mystery.

“The records?” Wanqi Lianhao frowned. Three bottles lost in total, including a Volcanic Potion, which had not yet been auctioned. Was someone testing the effects one by one, or did they recognize the Volcanic Potion but not the Source of Magic, so they experimented?

Wanqi Lianhao couldn’t be sure. He hoped whoever had taken it didn’t recognize the Volcanic Potion and would try to connect with Wanbao Pavilion. That would be preferable. But if someone knowledgeable had it, things would get complicated.

Access to the laboratory warehouse behind the Pearl Tower required a high-level keycard. Only a handful of trusted personnel could enter.

Wanqi Wu felt a weight lift from his heart—at least the third young master seemed to believe he wasn’t responsible. The value of the missing items was too great for him to bear. “Yes, Deputy Supervisor Liu.”

“Deputy Supervisor Liu?” Wanqi Lianhao asked.

“Yes. Other than me, only Deputy Supervisor Liu entered the warehouse yesterday. Only nine people at the Pearl Tower have that level of clearance: myself, Deputy Supervisor Liu, Mr. Shi from the Shi character mountain division, and Miss Xuan,” Deputy Supervisor Liu replied.

“How do you manage your subordinates?” For a deputy supervisor to enter the warehouse at will and even dare to steal items for auction elsewhere—Wanqi Lianhao glanced at Yi Qiong, who immediately left to investigate.

Deputy Supervisor Liu’s legs nearly gave out. “Third Young Master, please see clearly—I only recently learned that Deputy Supervisor Liu’s family is a minor branch of the Wanqi family. I had offended someone in my youth, and he’s always held power over me. After the warehouse expanded, the staff, eager to curry favor with him, gave him access. I only found out today.”

“If you can’t manage this position, I can find someone else,” Wanqi Lianhao said coolly. A deputy supervisor who dominated him—if someone else came along, they might as well hand the Pearl Tower over altogether.

“Please forgive me, Third Young Master.” Deputy Supervisor Liu dared not argue. He knew this was his own failing and could only hope past merits would earn him leniency.

Wanqi Lianhao considered who might be suitable to replace him. Before, the Pearl Tower’s role on the Star Network wasn’t so vital, but with Xuan Xuan’s teacher now involved, he needed someone with discernment, reliability, and respect for that teacher.

He genuinely wasn’t sure who would be best.

Wanqi Wu, seeing Wanqi Lianhao silent and stern-faced, grew anxious. Would he be executed—or was this just the prelude to a harsher punishment?

When Xuan Xuan entered the Pearl Tower, she was led straight to Wanqi Lianhao’s office, walking in just as Wanqi Wu was sweating bullets. She wondered, was it really that hot?

Wanqi Wu brightened at the sight of her. With this young lady present, maybe the third young master would spare him?

He understood clearly that if he was dismissed now, he’d never get another chance—and the idea of his wife entering the main residence would remain a joke.

“Miss Xuan.”

Xuan Xuan gave him a nod, which gave Wanqi Wu a sliver of hope.

Wanqi Lianhao stood and gestured to Xuan Xuan. “Please, have a seat.”

Xuan Xuan followed him to the sofa.

“Good day, Miss Xuan,” he greeted her.

Knowing that Wanqi Lianhao would not recognize her true identity, Xuan Xuan felt at ease and simply nodded, waiting for him to speak.

“My apologies. Three bottles of your potion stored with us have gone missing. We are doing everything possible to remedy the situation,” Wanqi Lianhao said, a hint of apology in his expression. Up to now, this mysterious woman had never done the Wanqi family any harm—if anything, they owed her far more.

Xuan Xuan was startled. Hadn’t they said only one had been auctioned? But whether it was one or three made no difference to her. She waved it off. “It’s fine. You handle it.”

Wanqi Wu, sensing an opportunity, stepped forward and bowed to Xuan Xuan. “It was entirely my responsibility. I failed to manage Deputy Supervisor Liu, and that’s how the potions were lost.”

He hadn’t forgotten Deputy Supervisor Liu’s disrespect toward Xuan Xuan the previous day. Now was the perfect time to bring it up.

Hmm? Deputy Supervisor Liu?

Xuan Xuan recalled the plump figure and asked, “The one who looks down his nose at people?”

Wanqi Wu glanced at Wanqi Lianhao, who frowned and asked, “What happened?”

“Yesterday, when Miss Xuan visited, I said she was our honored guest, but Deputy Supervisor Liu insisted on throwing her out. He’s always had more authority in the Pearl Tower than I have,” Wanqi Wu replied, looking ashamed, and bowed again to Xuan Xuan. “I let you suffer such indignity. It’s all my fault.”

Wanqi Wu was clever. Even Wanqi Lianhao had to commend him—though dismissing him might be a pity. As for the old feud, he’d have Yi Qiong look into it further.

Wanqi Lianhao scolded, “I told you to treat Miss Xuan with respect, and this is how you behave?”

“I did my best, but Deputy Supervisor Liu never obeyed me. I was powerless,” Wanqi Wu said miserably.

Wanqi Lianhao considered that this lesson might be enough; Wanqi Wu would likely not dare step out of line again. He was steady and, although a bit sly, not truly flawed. Giving him another chance was better than bringing in someone unfamiliar with the situation. “Apologize to Miss Xuan.”

Xuan Xuan didn’t realize this was all for her benefit. She simply thought the man who looked down his nose at others was indeed unpleasant, while Wanqi Wu had always treated her with respect. “That’s not necessary.”

Wanqi Wu quickly wiped away his cold sweat. Thank goodness. “Thank you, Miss Xuan. Thank you, Third Young Master.”

PS: Here’s the second chapter. Please support with votes and subscriptions.