When they heard Jiang Chen say their Young Mistress had been tampered with, Lu Ming, though skeptical, began to waver.

"This..."

Seeing Lu Ming’s hesitation, Jiang Chen recalled how Qin Lie had poisoned Liang Yiyi with Heart-Tugging Powder on the street.

In an instant, he made the connection to Qin Lie.

Everything about this affair was bizarre.

He immediately said to Lu Ming, "As far as I know, there are countless ways to control a person’s mind."

"And Alchemists are the ones who excel at such methods."

"That Qin Lie... I seem to recall your Young Mistress never gave him the time of day. Why would she suddenly agree to marry him?"

"Don’t you find that problematic?"

At that moment, the color drained from Lu Ming’s face.

If Qin Lie really had used some trick to make their Young Mistress marry him...

If it turned out there was foul play, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Their deaths would be a small matter. The crucial thing was that the Young Mistress would have been defiled by then. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Furthermore, Murong Xiangming’s status was tied to the reputation of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion.

This matter was too significant.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, wait here. I’ll go find the Pavilion Master right away."

Rather than trust Qin Lie, Lu Ming naturally trusted Jiang Chen more.

Although Master Tian Mu was also very busy preparing for Murong Xiangming’s wedding, he had to be disturbed.

She was the Young Mistress, after all, so the preparations had to be appropriately grand.

Thus, he had been working himself ragged these past few days.

When he heard Jiang Chen had arrived, Master Tian Mu hesitated for a moment before agreeing to see him.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, what can I do for you?"

Master Tian Mu didn’t think much of Jiang Chen, since he knew Jiang Chen was just coasting on his master’s reputation.

Thus, he appeared quite indifferent.

Jiang Chen noticed Master Tian Mu’s lack of respect but didn’t care.

Instead, he asked, "Master Tian Mu, I hear your Young Mistress is getting married."

"Hmph, that’s right. It’s hardly a secret."

Master Tian Mu crossed his legs, clearly impatient with Jiang Chen.

"So, Young Master Jiang Chen, are you here to offer congratulations, or to cause trouble?"

Previously, Jiang Chen and Murong Xiangming had been rather close.

Master Tian Mu had always opposed it.

So, in his eyes, Jiang Chen was a suspected troublemaker.

Jiang Chen felt a flash of anger.

But he didn’t let it show, instead letting out a soft chuckle.

"Master Tian Mu, if you’ll forgive my bluntness, you’re not doing a very competent job as Pavilion Master."

’What?’

Master Tian Mu flew into a rage. Jiang Chen actually dared to lecture him.

’This is infuriating!’

He shot to his feet and roared, "Jiang Chen, you’re courting death! It’s one thing to waste my time, but my competence is not for you to judge!"

"Get out of here right now, or I won’t be so polite!"

If he weren’t considering Jiang Chen’s powerful master, he would have attacked already.

Jiang Chen, however, remained seated, completely composed.

"Whether you admit it or not, your rash decision to marry your Young Mistress to Qin Lie is a mark of your incompetence."

"Use your head. Do you really think Miss Murong wants to marry Qin Lie?"

"I believe you know the answer to that better than I do."

Facing the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion, Jiang Chen showed no fear.

On the contrary, he was openly mocking a Martial King Level expert like Master Tian Mu.

Master Tian Mu was absolutely seething with suppressed rage.

But then, suddenly, he understood what Jiang Chen was implying.

His expression changed.

The matter of Murong Xiangming was something he couldn’t figure out either.

He gave Jiang Chen a deep look.

He suddenly sat back down, his gaze sharp as he stared at Jiang Chen.

"Do you know something?"

Jiang Chen crossed his legs.

He picked up a piece of fruit and started eating it.

He said slowly, "While I don’t know the full story, I do know that Miss Murong has never been fond of Qin Lie."

"That alone is enough."

"Therefore, I suspect your Young Mistress has been manipulated. Her agreement to marry Qin Lie was forced."

Master Tian Mu shot up from his seat again.

He stared intently at Jiang Chen.

This news undoubtedly stirred him.

After all, the Young Mistress’s sudden agreement to marry Qin Lie was far too abrupt.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Speak plainly."

Jiang Chen had no desire to beat around the bush with Master Tian Mu either.

He said seriously, "I have a Maid. A few days ago, she met a man on the street and was subsequently, and silently, poisoned with Heart-Tugging Powder."

"She became utterly devoted to him, swearing she would marry no one else."

"That man was Qin Lie, whom I injured on the spot before he fled."

"So, I’m wondering if your Young Mistress might have encountered a similar situation."

"I forgot to mention, I have no special relationship with your Young Mistress, nor any romantic feelings. If you don’t think this matters, then neither do I. Just consider this a wasted trip on my part."

"Goodbye!"

Jiang Chen stood up and started walking toward the exit.

He had made himself clear enough. If Master Tian Mu ignored this, it would mean he was definitely involved.

He might even be one of the people who framed Murong Xiangming.

An accomplice of Qin Lie.

Jiang Chen didn’t know if this Master Tian Mu was in league with the Qin Family.

That’s why he turned to leave after saying his piece.

"Wait!"

At that moment, Master Tian Mu urgently called out to stop Jiang Chen.

The way he looked at Jiang Chen was different now.

If he had looked down on Jiang Chen before because of his master...

...then now, he suddenly realized that Jiang Chen’s character, at least, was sound.

Most importantly, this matter truly concerned Murong Xiangming.

He could not afford to treat it lightly.

He certainly didn’t want to be branded a traitor; he really wasn’t in league with the Qin Family.

If Murong Xiangming was being forced to marry Qin Lie, and he had been the one to facilitate it, he would regret it for the rest of his life if the truth ever came to light.

"Young Master Jiang Chen, please don’t go."

He stopped Jiang Chen from leaving.

Jiang Chen turned around indifferently and asked, "What is it, Master Tian Mu? Is there something else?"

Of course, even if Master Tian Mu intended to harm Murong Xiangming, Jiang Chen had no intention of standing idly by.

Though he and Murong Xiangming weren’t close, he still felt she was worth helping.

Master Tian Mu said hurriedly, "Young Master Jiang Chen, don’t misunderstand. Please, sit. Regarding the Young Mistress, whether what you say is true or false, I cannot simply ignore it."

Jiang Chen returned to his seat.

He knew that Master Tian Mu was not in league with the Qin Family.

’Things will be much easier now.’

Before Jiang Chen could speak, Master Tian Mu said in a grave tone, "To be honest, the Young Mistress did indeed reject the Qin Family once before."

"But the second time the Qin Family came, they seemed brimming with confidence. I found it baffling, and then the Young Mistress actually agreed to everything."

"I felt something was wrong with the whole situation, but I couldn’t put my finger on it."

"Young Master Jiang Chen, I know you must have a solution, right?"

"If the Young Mistress has truly been manipulated and forced into doing something against her will, our Treasure Elephant Pavilion will absolutely not let them get away with it."

Jiang Chen nodded. "I have a way. But first, you have to let me see your Young Mistress."