Chapter 157: Blood Test to Establish Kinship, Part 2

In the clear water of the tea cup, two drops of blood slowly sank to the bottom and spread out, yet there was no sign of blending; they remained distinctly separate, each occupying one half of the cup. Qiao Yi’s face darkened with a bluish tint. Looking at the little figure who had previously tugged at his throat, crying and fussing, once so beloved, a wave of disgust rose within him—he did not want to hold the child for even a moment longer.

At this moment, Qiao Yi felt as if a verdant light shimmered above his head more intensely than ever before. If it weren’t for the presence of several powerful factions in the hall, he would have immediately gone to ask that woman whose bastard child this was.

“This child cannot be included on the red list. I request that Prince Nanping and his son provide blood for the paternity test,” a low, hoarse voice echoed through the grand hall, serving as a reminder to Qiao Yi.

Qiao Yi’s complexion gradually returned to normal. He nodded toward his brother, whose face was also grim. Qiao Bin pressed his thick lips tightly together, the anger within him nearing a breaking point. He understood perfectly well what this result meant: his second son was thus lost to him.

However, from the words of the low voice, he had also heard the term “red list” and roughly understood the reason behind this scene. He took the sword from Qiao Yi’s hand, gently slicing his finger to let a drop of blood fall into the still clear water of the tea cup, then bent over to look at his son.

Qiao Ke extended his chubby, pale hand toward Qiao Bin, glancing at his still-crying younger brother, and said resolutely, “Father, Ke’er is not afraid of pain and will not cry.”

“Well done, my son,” Qiao Bin said with satisfaction as he used the sword to cut Qiao Ke’s finger. Qiao Ke furrowed his brows slightly but did not cry out. Qiao Bin gently pressed the wound, allowing a drop of blood to fall into the tea cup that already contained his own blood. As soon as the drop entered the water, it slowly spread and merged with the first.

This result was entirely as expected. Qiao Bin lightly held the wound on Qiao Ke’s hand while casting a glance toward Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao).

Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) said nothing but took out a porcelain bottle and handed it over. “Apply this externally.”

Qiao Bin nodded at him, then opened the bottle and poured the medicine onto Qiao Ke’s wound. The bleeding soon stopped. He then approached Qiao Yi.

“It’s nothing serious; such a small wound doesn’t require medicine,” Qiao Yi said calmly. But Qiao Bin knew his second brother’s heart must be stormy with rage. Glancing at the little prince who had just ceased crying and who had been lofty moments before, he refrained from suggesting that medicine be applied.

Yet, just as Qiao Bin prepared to return the medicine to Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), Qiao Yi spoke, “Apply the medicine to him.” Then he calmly looked toward Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) again: “Young Master Yuwen, do you have any ointment to cover the wound?”

Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), seemingly unchanged, took an ointment from his sleeve and handed it over. Qiao Yi accepted it, first having Qiao Bin apply it to the little one’s wound to stop the bleeding, then smearing the ointment on the injury. Unless one looked closely and climbed up to inspect, the wound would be completely invisible.

Qiao Bin watched Qiao Yi’s actions intently, understanding fully why he did this. Before Qiao Yi could speak, he applied a layer of ointment to Qiao Ke’s wound as well and instructed, “No one is to speak of today’s events outside this hall.”

Although Qiao Ke was only five years old and somewhat precocious, he still only had a partial understanding of what had just occurred. Seeing his father’s serious expression, he nodded obediently.

Qiao Yi then reached out and spilled the two tea cups used for the blood paternity test onto the ground, shouting toward the main gate, “Yongchang!”

With a creak, the main doors were pushed open, and Yongchang entered, bowing slightly. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

“Send the prince back,” Qiao Yi commanded.

Yongchang stepped forward to take the little one. Having guarded outside earlier and heard the crying, and now seeing the tear-streaked, red-rimmed eyes, he guessed something had happened but, as a loyal servant, he adhered strictly to the principle of seeing nothing when not meant to see, asking nothing when not meant to ask, and speaking nothing when not meant to speak. He treated the child's distress as if it were invisible.

“My brother will also take his leave,” Qiao Bin said. Knowing it was no longer appropriate for him to stay, he pulled Qiao Ke aside to bow respectfully, then clenched his fists in greeting to the others before withdrawing.

The grand hall returned to the original eight people.

Qiao Yi recalled his earlier demands and felt like a clown playing a part. But since he was seated at the negotiating table, his mental fortitude was extraordinary.

“Thank you all for indulging me today.”

“Your Majesty is too gracious. Let us continue discussing the terms just proposed,” Yu Tanfeng smiled at Qiao Yi from the corner of his eye. “The management rights of the Southern Barbarian Mountain Range will be handed over to the Dawn Breeze Pavilion for three years. As long as everyone agrees to this, the Dawn Breeze Pavilion will naturally consent to your conditions as well.”

Originally, Qiao Yi would never have agreed to this term. But now, learning that the child he had always believed to be his own was not, the throne would have to go to his nephew, Qiao Ke. The Yue family was his strongest support, and naturally, the Yuwen, Zhou, and Hidden Clans all supported Qiao Ke. Together, their power was unsurpassable by the other factions.

After reading the letter and calming down, Qiao Yi realized that since the inability to conceive a son was due to the pregnancy medicine, if a concubine became pregnant again without using this medicine, there was still hope for an heir. These three years were primarily for maintaining balance of power.

“Very well, I agree.”

Yu Tanfeng’s lips curled upward in satisfaction. Initially, he only aimed for one year, but given recent events, he was evidently a beneficiary.

“What about the Zhou family’s transport rights?” Zhou Man quickly followed up, though he knew the royal family would never relinquish transport rights after what had just transpired, and that the baseline set by his eldest son was non-negotiable.

Just as he expected, Qiao Yi did not yield. “Transport rights are critical, especially for north-south routes, involving the imperial grain transport of the Niche Empire. Master Zhou, perhaps you should consider another candidate.”

“That’s quite biased of you. If that’s the case, then give me an explanation regarding my niece from the Yue family.”

Yue Lingjun, Meng Chuchen, and others had long anticipated this outcome and understood Qiao Yi’s thoughts. Were they in his position, they would act similarly. The alliance of the three great families plus the Hidden Clan already made the other factions wary. Any further demands now would inevitably provoke backlash.

Seeing no further objections, Qiao Yi wished to conclude the meeting promptly. “Since no one has further comments, let us end today’s session here. To expedite the capture of the mastermind behind these events, I ask everyone to keep today’s matters confidential.”

Naturally, no one opposed.

“Attendants!”

With Qiao Yi’s voice, the doors opened again, this time revealing a different eunuch.

“Escort our distinguished guests to the rear hall to rest.”

The thrice-yearly council ended just like that—arguably the most hasty and inconsequential assembly in history.

This was Chai Mengqing’s first time attending the eight great faction meetings. Unexpectedly, she had witnessed quite a spectacle. The Misty Rain Pavilion was composed entirely of women and was the most modest and compliant among the eight factions.

Whenever discussions did not concern their interests, they played the role of observers, neither drawing attention nor asserting themselves. It was precisely this that allowed the Misty Rain Pavilion to maintain a stable seat among the eight great powers.

Upon arriving at the rear hall, Chai Mengqing, claiming she wished to admire the palace’s beauty, provided a suitable venue for the other factions to continue their discussions.

Yu Tanfeng, having obtained what he desired, excused himself under the pretense of rest, and the eunuchs escorted him to another room.

Secretly exchanging glances with Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), the low voice vanished from the grand hall without a word.

Yue Lingjun looked at the remaining three with a hint of apology. “This time, it is the Yue family that has caused trouble for everyone.” This was directed primarily at Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao) and Zhou Man.

“It’s no trouble at all. What happens to the Yue family is the Zhou family’s concern as well. But how did you find out that his son wasn’t his own?” Zhou Man asked.

Yue Lingjun recounted the entire story about the pregnancy medicine to Zhou Man, who was amazed. Turning to Yuwen Lingxi (Xiao), he lamented, “The Yuwen family has once again advanced in medicine. Nephew, talk to the pharmacist; maybe Zhou Ziweng can become his apprentice.”

This line of thinking was not something ordinary people could follow. But as juniors, they had heard too many bizarre stories about this Uncle Zhou and witnessed them multiple times, so they had become somewhat immune. The topic then shifted to discussing the next steps.