At this moment, the Qin Family's main house.
Just as Qiu Tu had predicted, the members of Qin Family's Fifth House had all gathered and were quarreling non-stop behind closed doors!
Among them, the most intense argument was between Qin Zhengguang and Master Qin Si.
At first, when Master Qin Si received the notification that the family was going to have a meeting to discuss important matters concerning the future of the Qin Family, he was overjoyed, thinking that since Qiu Tu had taken the money, he indeed did the job.
However, he was shocked when he learned from Qin Zhengguang that Qiu Tu had pinned all the evidence he had collected so painstakingly on him.
At that moment, he wanted desperately to interrupt Qin Zhengguang, then question him, "What? What did you say? Qiu Tu said I did all those things? Has Qiu Tu gone mad?"
But... he didn't dare.
After all, up to this point, none of the Qin houses knew that it was he who had betrayed the Qin Family.
Through the years, despite the heavy internal conflicts, the Qin Family had always observed one bottom line, which was to present a united front externally.
If he exposed that it was he who had sold out the Qin Family's evidence to Qiu Tu, he guessed he wouldn't even need the Investigation Bureau to take action; he would immediately become the target of all.
Thus, all he could do was sit on the chair in a daze and listen to Qin Zhengguang recount the events that had happened in Yan Chen's office.
But, as soon as Qin Zhengguang got to the part where he was about to take the fall for all the crimes, Master Qin Si couldn't sit still anymore.
With his belly out, he put on an incredulous face and looked at Qin Zhengguang, "Big brother! I didn't hear you wrong, did I?"
"You plan to let me take the fall for all the crimes?"
"How many lives do I have to take on so many crimes!"
"I'm your own brother for God's sake!"
Hearing Master Qin Si's words, Qin Zhengguang's face was also filled with conflict, and he said gravely, "Fourth brother, really, this is beyond your brother's control."
"Right now, Qiu Tu is pinning it all on you. Even if we offer up some other branch of the family, the Bureau won't believe it."
"Since you're going to be implicated anyway, isn't it better to take the blame than for everyone to be ruined together?"
Master Qin Si slammed the table with a "pah" and stood up, glaring at Qin Zhengguang, bellowing, "What kind of talk is that!"
"Are you going to just watch your own brother be thrown into the flames?"
As he spoke, he swept a glance at Patriarch of the Qin Family, Qin Heng, seated at the head seat, then looked at Qin Zhengguang again, and said in frustration, "I've figured it out long ago. Ever since our father died, you and the eldest brother have looked down on me and third brother."
"After all, you are both political bigwigs, influential figures in Xinjie City. While me and third brother are just businessmen. Especially me, who deals with the black market."
"You've always looked down on me, and I've endured it because that's how our father divided the family. But now that something has happened, you still want to push me out to take the blame? I won't accept this!"
Seeing the two of them arguing, Patriarch Qin Heng, seated at the main seat, covered his mouth with a cough twice, then said in a deep voice, "Alright, let's all say a little less."
After saying that, he looked towards Master Qin Si, and spoke gently, "Fourth brother. Second brother has reported this to me at noon. We have discussed it for a long time, and this is really the best outcome."
"Of course, I know this matter has indeed wronged you."
"But, this is for the sake of the family, isn't it?"
Seeing that Master Qin Si was about to argue again, Qin Heng raised his hand to gesture him to pause, adding, "Don't worry. We are aware of the contributions you have made for the family."
"So, as long as you weather this storm, I guarantee your two sons will hold a position of at least section chief at the City Hall or in the Investigation Bureau once they come of age."
"As for your assets, one-third of the legitimate business in third brother's hands will be divided to ensure your family's future expenses."
"Regarding your safety... when I meet with Yan Chen tonight, I will secure a guarantee for you."
"Guarantee that you won't be tortured and that your life will be free from any danger."
"So, for now, go to jail for the family. Once the dust settles and we find an appropriate opportunity, we will find a way to get you out."
Hearing Qin Heng's words, Master Qin Si's face changed rapidly.
But just then, Qin Shu from the Qin Family's Third House suddenly stood up. He expressed his dissatisfaction, "Wait a minute. Big brother. Why should I pay for the crimes that second brother and Master Qin Si have committed?"
"I've been conducting my business just fine, so why is a third of my family's business suddenly being divided away?"
"I still have to give half my income to the family every year. What will I have left?"
"I do not agree with this!"
And so, a new round of quarreling began…
But what no one knew was... while they were all caught up in their tumultuous argument, Master Qin Si's communicator suddenly vibrated twice.
Master Qin Si discreetly took out the communicator to have a look.
At that instant, his face turned exceedingly grim, but it quickly returned to normal...
The process of concocting the Cataclysmic Potion is troublesome yet simple.
The difficult part is that the Pharmacist must understand all the Cataclysm Materials. They must also know the timing and interactions of the "Star, Moon, King, and Minister" medicine categories, thoroughly acquainted with when to add which ingredient, when to stir, and when to take the Potion off the fire.
The simple part is that once these steps are memorized, for the most part, the brewing is fully automated and doesn't require the Pharmacist to keep constant watch.
Thus Shen Lingshuang had ample time to pester Qiu Tu.
After setting the alarm for the next stirring, Shen Lingshuang tiptoed into the living room and tilted her head to look at Qiu Tu.
Qiu Tu was sitting on the couch at that moment, with his hands crossed behind his head, seemingly deep in thought.
Shen Lingshuang silently watched him for a while and got bored, so she took the initiative and called out, "Hey, Qiu Tu~"
Qiu Tu came back to his senses and turned his head towards her.