Steward Qiu, caught in Lin Qingling's sharp gaze, felt a fine layer of cold sweat bead on his forehead. He quickly wiped it away and waved his hands in protest.
"No, no, I—"
"Steward Qiu, why are you afraid of her?" Lingxu Zhenren suddenly spoke. "The Spiritual Weapon Pavilion has operated in our market for over a hundred years. Its reputation is well-known to all! Which of our Sword Sect disciples hasn't purchased something from it? Regardless of what others may say, I have full confidence in Steward Qiu's character."
He added firmly, "Since Steward Qiu has come to me, it proves that Li Shuang's character is indeed questionable."
Lingxu Zhenren looked at Lin Qingling with a hint of satisfaction. "Master Lin, I told you all before—you were wrong!"
It had been he who decided to give up on Li Shuang. Now, only by proving her to be a despicable villain could everyone see that Lingxu Zhenren's judgment had been correct all along.
"Really?" Lin Qingling's voice was icy as she looked at Steward Qiu. The sword at her waist was ready to be drawn at any moment.
"Master Lin," Lingxu Zhenren said sarcastically, "are you trying to defend someone by force?"
"I don't believe Li Shuang has done anything wrong," Lin Qingling replied coldly.
"If she hasn't, then why would Steward Qiu come knocking on my door?" Lingxu Zhenren raised an eyebrow, speaking with confidence.
As soon as he finished, Steward Qiu seized the chance to speak. Wiping the sweat from his forehead again, he said, "No, no, I'm not here because of Fairy Li."
He glanced at Li Shuang almost flatteringly. "It was I who was blinded by self-interest and acted wrongly. This Pure Heart Jade Pendant rightfully belongs to Fairy Li. Not only is she innocent, but she also made me realize my mistakes and wake up to my senses."
Lin Qingling, who had looked ready to strike moments ago, blinked. The sword at her waist stayed in its sheath.
Li Shuang looked at Steward Qiu in surprise.
So, he wasn't here for her?
Her eyes flickered with doubt.
This was strange.
The last time they had met at the market, Steward Qiu's hostility toward her had been obvious. After she had taken his Pure Heart Jade Pendant—causing a heavy loss to the Spiritual Weapon Pavilion—she would have expected his resentment to grow, not vanish.
"Manager Qiu," Lingxu Zhenren said suspiciously, "are you frightened by this Lin Feng Master? Don't be. As long as you are in the right, the entire Sword Sect will stand behind you."
Steward Qiu glanced at Lingxu Zhenren. "Then you, Master Lingxu, will be the first to stand up for me, yes?"
"Of course," Lingxu Zhenren replied without hesitation.
Steward Qiu nodded. "In that case, please have Master Lingxu's young disciple give us a proper explanation!"
His cold gaze turned toward Ye Zhaozhao.
Ye Zhaozhao's body trembled, her eyes filled with sudden panic.
Li Shuang was also stunned.
Ye Zhaozhao?
Steward Qiu had actually come for Ye Zhaozhao?
Thinking back to the figure she had glimpsed on the second floor, Li Shuang's mind stirred with suspicion.
"I… I don't even know you. What explanation could you possibly want from me?" Ye Zhaozhao's voice carried a guilty edge.
Lingxu Zhenren frowned. "Manager Qiu! Zhaozhao hasn't even been to the market in recent days. Why are you bringing her up? Li Shuang was my senior disciple before—have you mistaken her for someone else?"
Manager Qiu's gaze was cold and steady. "Mistaken? Impossible. A few years ago, a wandering cultivator who called herself Ye came to Lingbao Pavilion proposing a partnership—she would provide ideas, and we would execute them. Once we made profits, she would receive a share."
"She truly came up with many ideas. The Double Eleven event five years ago, the red envelope spirit stone event four years ago—all hers. I admit that Lingbao Pavilion's sales have grown significantly thanks to her, and I paid her share as promised."
At these words, expressions shifted around the room.
Meng Yifei glanced at Ye Zhaozhao several times. He remembered how Lingbao Pavilion had rolled out new events in recent years, once even marveling at how creative the business world was becoming.
Who would have thought that Ye Zhaozhao was behind it all?
"If that's the case, my disciple has helped your business thrive. Shouldn't that be a good thing? Why are you speaking as though she has wronged you?" Lingxu Zhenren's confusion was plain.
Steward Qiu's jaw tightened. "Her ideas certainly boosted sales, but she also taught me underhanded tricks. For example, during the buy-one-get-one-free event, the free elixir bottles contained medicine with only half the potency. Before the Double Eleven event, prices were quietly raised a month in advance, only to be 'slashed' on the day itself. These methods increased profits, yes—but over the past five years, they have also damaged the century-old reputation of Lingbao Pavilion."
"Nonsense!" Lingxu Zhenren snapped. "Zhaozhao would never suggest such things. It was you who was blinded by greed and made those decisions yourself—now you're trying to frame her!"
"I've already admitted my mistake to Gongsheng Hong," Steward Qiu said with a cold sneer. "Punishment within Lingbao Pavilion is inevitable. But should Ye Zhaozhao get away unscathed?"
His gaze was like that of a venomous snake, fixed on Ye Zhaozhao.
"And let's not even discuss the past. Just two hours ago, Ye Zhaozhao came to me again—she gave me the idea for this blind box scheme, this time without asking for any share of the profits."
Chang Le'an stepped protectively in front of Ye Zhaozhao. "My junior sister gave you advice for free. What, that's still not enough for you?"
"But she had one condition," Steward Qiu said coldly. "She wanted me to devise a scheme to take all of Fairy Li's wealth!"
Gasps spread through the crowd, and all eyes turned to Li Shuang.
Li Shuang was not surprised; she had already suspected as much when she saw that shadowy figure earlier. Now Steward Qiu had confirmed it.
"Nonsense!" Chang Le'an shouted, trembling with fury. "Zhaozhao has been caring for Second Senior Brother at Lingxu Peak. How could she have gone to the market two hours ago? Tell me—did Li Shuang bribe you to slander her?"
Sheng Yuan's gaze shifted to the trembling Ye Zhaozhao, his lips pressing into a thin line.
He didn't want to believe she could do such a thing.
But…
If Zhaozhao had truly stayed on the mountain, Second Senior Brother's temper wouldn't have flared like that.
Two hours ago…
Hadn't they just left Lingxu Peak?
She had promised to look after Shen Yue—had she instead gone straight to the market?
A sharp pain pierced Sheng Yuan's chest.
No.
Absolutely not.