On the stage.
Jiang Youli looked at the sudden turn of events unfolding before her and exchanged a glance with Qi Huan.
It really wasn't far from Jiang Youli's analysis. Qi Yue, having learned about her dubious past dealings with venomous insects and snakes from Jiang Xing, was bound to make a big issue of it at the engagement banquet.
And for this disaster to be significant enough, it had to involve guests getting hurt!
One must remember, all the guests attending her and Qi Huan's engagement banquet tonight were either wealthy or noble. Any guest getting injured would be a grave responsibility.
"Qi Yue's move is even more ruthless than I anticipated," Jiang Youli explained. "I tried to control those venomous creatures first, but found they had likely been fed drugs beforehand to drive them into a frenzy. Even for me, controlling them would take considerable effort."
"If this incident results in several deaths, and Qi Yue successfully pins the blame on me, I'm afraid even nine heads wouldn't be enough to pay for it."
Qi Huan, however, said calmly, "I believe you can control it. Even if you can't, no one will take your head from me."
"Of course, I don't fight battles I can't win." As she spoke, Jiang Youli took a sachet from her bag and stuffed it into Qi Huan's arms. "Take this. With this sachet, no matter how frenzied these creatures are, they won't dare come near you. I'll go deal with them now."
Qi Huan took the sachet. "Alright."
Jiang Youli then walked down from the stage. She had another sachet, but Uncle Zhou and his group weren't a concern. They knew about her history with venomous creatures, and because they often visited her medicinal garden, they also wore protective medicines against bites long-term.
As for her beautiful stepmother and handsome stepfather, she had also sprinkled some medicinal powder on their clothes in advance.
Suddenly, she caught sight of Qi An'an protecting Qi Xiuhua.
Well, considering Qi An'an was the only one in the Qi family who held no hostility towards her, she'd do her a favor.
Thinking this, Jiang Youli quickly walked towards the Qi family seating area.
"Shaoxiong, protect your grandfather!"
"Feifan, Xiuyuan, protect your grandfather!"
Qi Tianhuai and Qi Tianjue simultaneously ordered their sons loudly.
What a joke!
Such a perfect opportunity to show off in front of the old master, of course they wouldn't miss it.
Qi Shaoxiong immediately understood, pushing his chair aside to block Grandpa Qi a step ahead of Qi Feifan.
Qi Feifan arrived a step slower, but he didn't mind. He stood behind Qi Shaoxiong, thinking that if they were really attacked by these venomous snakes and scorpions, showing off in front of the old master wasn't as important as his own life.
As more and more venomous snakes, scorpions, and insects emerged from who-knows-where, the engagement banquet scene became increasingly chaotic.
Grandpa Qi said in a deep voice, "Protect every guest here!"
On stage, Qi Huan almost spoke in unison with Grandpa Qi, shouting, "Guests, please don't run around. Gather closer to the stage."
"Cheng Jing, take people to protect the guests."
Following Qi Huan's instruction, Cheng Jing left Qi Yue behind and led the bodyguards to protect the honored guests of the evening.
With Grandpa Qi's command, all the bodyguards dispatched by the Qi family tonight began to orderly direct and arrange for the guests to take cover.
"Take this. Those venomous snakes and scorpions won't dare come near you." Jiang Youli handed the sachet to Qi An'an.
Qi An'an was taken aback. Without overthinking why Jiang Youli was giving her this sachet, she directly accepted it and said sincerely, "Thank you, cousin-in-law!"
Jiang Youli gently patted her shoulder. "Can you help me get a leaf?"
Qi An'an quickly nodded. "No problem." After speaking, she tucked away the sachet and hurried to the area with potted plants to pick a leaf for Jiang Youli.
Grandpa Qi looked at Jiang Youli. "Xiao Li, do you have a way to deal with these venomous insects and snakes?"
Jiang Youli nodded. "Yes."
Despite the Qi family bodyguards being most effectively arranged under Qi Huan's direction and Cheng Jing's leadership, the incident happened too quickly. Some guests were still bitten.
At the Jiang family seating area.
Jiang Yehan immediately wrapped his arm around his wife Zhang Susu's shoulders. "Don't be afraid."
Zhang Susu nodded with an "Mm."
She wasn't afraid.
Because Youli had warned her and her husband in advance, saying there might be a major incident tonight, and had specifically sprinkled medicinal powder on their clothes.
"What about Dad…" Zhang Susu reminded.
Jiang Yehan whispered, "Youli is such a smart child. Since she could prepare for us in advance, she naturally wouldn't forget about Dad."
Jiang Li stood up in fear, wanting to grab her husband but missed.
Second Master Long had already shaken her off and walked towards a safe place.
"Long Junyu, you damn bastard!" Jiang Li, gripped by both fear and anger, couldn't spare time for an argument and quickly chased after him.
"Xing'er, Little He, how are you two over there…" Qin Yulian also stood up in a panic. Just as she was about to check on her son Jiang Xing and her adopted daughter Jiang Yonghe, she heard a sharp cry.
"Ah!" The cry came from Jiang Yonghe.
Jiang Yonghe felt a sharp pain in her ankle. Looking down, she saw a large venomous scorpion had bitten her.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Xing beside her asked nervously.
"I… was bitten." Jiang Yonghe looked up, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness. Her originally rosy lips had turned pale from fright.
Hearing this, Jiang Xing's face instantly turned as white as a sheet. He quickly followed Jiang Yonghe's gaze and indeed saw a giant scorpion, as large as a palm, tightly clamped onto the exposed skin of Jiang Yonghe's ankle.
"Dammit!"
Jiang Xing, disregarding the danger, quickly picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table, bent down, used them to pinch the scorpion off Jiang Yonghe's ankle, threw it to the ground, and then stomped on it fiercely, crushing it into a pulp.
Jiang Yonghe held onto Jiang Xing's arm, her eyes moist, and began to sob quietly. "Big brother, what do we do… this scorpion seems to be venomous."
Jiang Xing was speechless. This Qi Yue really was more of a hindrance than a help!
He comforted her, "Little He, don't be afraid. There are famous doctors present. Once these venomous creatures are under control, we'll have them help detoxify you!"
As he spoke, Jiang Yonghe already felt a dull pain spreading from the bite wound, creeping up from her calf.
Would she really be okay?!
This damn Qi Yue!
If she had known he was this crazy, she shouldn't have agreed to cooperate!
Qi Yue, standing in his original spot, had also prepared medicine in advance, so he wasn't afraid of being bitten at all. He calmly found a safe position and watched the chaotic scene before him, feeling only great satisfaction in his heart.
No matter what, he had finally succeeded in ruining Qi Huan and that woman Jiang Youli's engagement banquet!
Suddenly, a clear and melodious musical sound slowly began to play.
This music seemed to possess a magical power, instantly quieting the previously noisy and chaotic environment.
Those venomous snakes and scorpions that had been scurrying around the banquet hall just moments ago now became exceptionally docile, as if enchanted.
They emerged from under the tables in an orderly manner and silently left the banquet venue.
The assembled guests began to look around, only to see Jiang Youli's slender fingers gently pinch a verdant green leaf and bring it close to her lips.
That beautiful, melodious music was indeed coming from the leaf at her mouth.
Jiang Youli played this ordinary leaf, and after about three minutes, all those spine-chilling poisonous insects, snakes, and scorpions finally vanished without a trace, and the entire banquet hall returned to its prior calm.
"What just happened?! How did all those venomous snakes and scorpions leave as soon as they heard the music played by the Jiang family's true heiress?"
"This is too bizarre!"
"Could it be that she was the one who summoned those poisonous creatures in the first place?"
Now that they were safe, the guests began to discuss the event with lingering fear.
[Thank you for all your concern and understanding, dear friends. I have been resting properly lately. As for updates, I'm doing my best for now. I will resume normal updates once I've fully recovered!]
