Qi Huan's icy words instantly drained all strength from Qi Yue, scattering the myriad excuses he had prepared like smoke in the wind.
His breathing grew rapid and ragged, as if an invisible hand were tightening around his throat. His vision began to blur, everything before him turning hazy and distorted. The chaotic, senseless noise around him flooded into his ears, making him dizzy and disoriented.
"No... Big Brother... I didn't..." he could only murmur.
Qi Tianxiang, who had remained silent, gave a slight flicker in his eyes but quickly regained his composure.
This matter had been handled by Qi Yue from start to finish; the entire process had never passed through his own hands. Therefore, even if Qi Huan managed to uncover solid evidence, there was absolutely no way the blame could be pinned on him.
"So, it's true! The eldest young master Qi's crippled legs were really caused by this ungrateful brother of his!"
"For Eldest Young Master Qi, this must be a double blow! Not only are his legs ruined, but he was betrayed by his adopted sister and his own brother!"
"Grandpa Qi is probably furious. It's rare to have such an outstanding grandson. The Qi family's future looked bright under the Eldest Young Master's management, and now Qi Yue has ruined it."
"Looking at it this way, the rumor that Grandpa Qi sent him away because he would affect the Qi family's fortune wasn't wrong. As soon as this person was brought back, he harmed the Qi family's 'son of fortune,' the Eldest Young Master."
Qi Huan gave a slight nod, casting a meaningful glance at Cheng Jing beside him. Understanding perfectly, Cheng Jing respectfully presented the evidence they had painstakingly gathered to Grandpa Qi.
Grandpa Qi took the thick stack of documents from Cheng Jing, his sharp eyes rapidly scanning through them.
Soon, his previously calm expression began to change. An uncontrollable fury surfaced on his weathered face, turning his countenance dark and grim.
"Bring Qi Yue to me!" Grandpa Qi snapped the documents shut and roared, his voice filled with anger and slightly hoarse.
As soon as the words were spoken, two bodyguards ruthlessly seized Qi Yue's arms and dragged him roughly before Grandpa Qi as if he were a mere object.
"Kneel!" Grandpa Qi issued another stern command.
Already weak with guilt, Qi Yue's mind went completely blank at Grandpa Qi's furious shout. Before he could even think, his legs gave way, he shuddered involuntarily, and then fell to his knees with a thud.
"Qi Yue, if it weren't for your elder brother Qi Huan pleading for you, did you think you could have ever returned to the Qi family?!" Grandpa Qi trembled with rage, pointing at the kneeling Qi Yue as he scolded him sternly. "Not only were you ungrateful, but you also conspired with your father's illegitimate daughter to harm your own brother! Or is it, as Xiao Li said, that you are not Qi Huan's biological brother at all? That you, like Qi Yu, are just another bastard born from Qi Tianxiang's affairs outside!"
As soon as these words were uttered, Qi Tianxiang hurried forward to explain, "Father, that is absolutely not true! Qi Yue is without a doubt Qi Huan's biological brother!"
Grandpa Qi looked coldly at his most disappointing youngest son and said, "Since Qi Huan hasn't found evidence of this matter, I will believe you for now. But regarding Qi Yue's actions, they must be dealt with here tonight."
Apart from Jiang Yonghe, who was still receiving treatment, the other seven poisoned guests had mostly recovered. Their gazes towards Qi Yue were filled with murderous intent. "Grandpa Qi, this Qi Yue nearly killed us. You cannot let him off lightly."
Qi Yue, kneeling on the ground, trembled uncontrollably.
Grandpa Qi said solemnly, "Tonight Qi Yue is handed over to you, the poisoned guests, to be dealt with. Just don't kill him."
Hearing this, one of the poisoned men, having regained his strength and unable to contain his anger, rushed forward without a word and kicked Qi Yue, sending him sprawling onto his back.
Finding it insufficient to vent his rage, he then stomped heavily on Qi Yue's chest twice.
"Ah..." Qi Yue let out a pained groan.
"You worthless trash! You almost got me killed! Is your miserable life enough to compensate for that?!"
"If it weren't for your big brother Qi Huan protecting you, did you think a waste like you could return to the Qi family and live as a pampered young master?"
"A useless piece of garbage like you, and you dare to overreach, trying to replace the Qi family's Eldest Young Master!"
The man cursed while kicking at Qi Yue's head.
Qi Yue could only hug his head in agony, enduring the man's punches and kicks.
Qi Tianxiang glanced at Grandpa Qi and, seeing no intention to stop him, could only shut his mouth. He didn't utter any words of plea, for fear of being dragged down himself.
Seeing this, the other six poisoned guests could no longer hold back their own pent-up fury.
"Grandpa Qi, to be blunt, we must settle this score with Qi Yue. Is it truly acceptable as long as we don't kill him?"
"Yes, as long as you don't kill him. As for the subsequent compensation, the Qi family will promptly arrange it to your satisfaction," Grandpa Qi said, soothing the emotions of the guests who had been poisoned.
"Alright, with your permission, Grandpa, we'll take this useless Qi Yue away tonight and deal with him privately," one of the poisoned guests said.
Grandpa Qi had no objections. "As you wish."
At this moment, Qi Huan spoke up with a look of incomprehension. "Father, Qi Yue is your son. How can you just stand by and watch your own son be humiliated like this?"
"If I had known he would do such a thing to his own brother, I would have been the first to deal with him!" Qi Tianxiang declared, stepping forward and kicking Qi Yue, who had just struggled to his knees, sending him tumbling to the ground again.
Lying prone on the floor, Qi Yue looked at his father in disbelief, but quickly understood the hint in his eyes.
That's right. As long as Father remains safe, he still has a chance. He must not drag his father down.
"Eldest Young Master Qi, Miss Jiang, given what has happened, we must excuse ourselves from continuing with your engagement banquet," the poisoned guests said, turning to Jiang Youli with respect and gratitude. "This time, it's all thanks to you, Miss Jiang Youli. Otherwise, we would have all lost our lives here!"
Jiang Youli smiled. "Although your poison has been neutralized, your bodies have suffered some damage and still need some recuperation. I will prepare appropriate medicines for each of you for follow-up care and send them along with the compensation provided by Grandpa Qi."
"Thank you, Miss Jiang." After expressing their gratitude, the seven poisoned guests looked towards the Jiang family and said sincerely, "Grandpa Jiang, Miss Jiang's medical skills are truly exceptional. Your Jiang family has brought back a truly remarkable person this time!"
Grandpa Jiang, still anxious over the matter of Jiang Xing, now felt a surge of pride at the praise for his granddaughter. His emotions were mixed. "Yes, ever since Youli returned, she has surprised me time and again."
The poisoned guests glanced disdainfully at Jiang Yangxu's family and mocked,
"What a pity Second Master Jiang's family is too blind to recognize her worth. Hah, if it were me, I'd enshrine Miss Jiang!"
"Not only does he deny it, but this Jiang Xing even secretly colluded with Qi Yue in an attempt to harm his own younger sister."
"Hah, people like them, with their narrow-mindedness and utter lack of humanity, will get their comeuppance sooner or later. It's too late for regrets now."
Listening to these open criticisms, the expressions of Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian grew increasingly unpleasant.
Then, the man who had led the poisoning incident turned and demanded, "As for tonight's affair, Jiang Xing is also guilty as an accomplice. How does Second Master Jiang and Second Madam intend to deal with this?"
