After hearing Han Li's words, the women's faces rapidly shifted from white to red, lending them a flush of rosy color.
Yan Shi was the first to recover her composure from the anger. She lightly adjusted the jade hairpin in her hair and spoke with renewed calm: "Even if you truly are a cultivator, and even if you are unaffected by this soporific incense, do you not fear the yin poison in your body?" She was playing her final card.
Han Li's previously smiling expression instantly turned cold. Doctor Mo had indeed handed over to these women the only weapon that could threaten him.
"Correct, I do have a cold poison in my body. But before it kills me, I have no qualms about slaughtering every last person in this household!" Han Li spoke these words in an utterly flat tone, yet the sheer ruthlessness behind them rang crystal clear in the women's ears.
Yan Shi fell silent for a moment and said nothing. The others followed suit, holding their tongues as well. It seemed that when matters truly came down to life and death, the one who could make decisions in the Mo Residence was still Yan Shi, the Fourth Madam.
"Since we each hold something the other fears, and neither side wishes for mutual destruction, it seems the only option is to sit down and talk this through properly," Yan Shi said calmly after a prolonged silence.
"Of course. I have no desire to die young in such a pathetic manner!" When it came to his own life, Han Li put on no airs and readily agreed to the proposal.
He returned to the seat opposite Yan Shi and sat down.
"However, before we begin our negotiations, I would ask that you first tell us the full circumstances of my husband's death. After all, we were husband and wife, and knowing the true cause of his passing will put our minds at ease. But please rest assured — even if my husband truly died at your hands, we will harbor no thoughts of revenge. We are but widows and orphans, and we would never smash an egg against a rock or court our own destruction!" The last words carried a note of desolation, as though Han Li were some bullying tyrant preying upon defenseless women and children.
Han Li looked at her expression and could not help but feel a headache coming on. Though he knew she was putting on an act, the sight of Yan Shi's wretched expression still stirred a measure of sympathy.
Wasn't it simply telling them how Doctor Mo died? There was nothing to hide about that matter. After all, Han Li believed that Doctor Mo's death was not his own fault — it was Yu Zitong's scheme, and Doctor Mo had brought it upon himself.
"Very well. I can tell you in detail how Doctor Mo died. If, after hearing the truth, you still insist on seeking revenge, I will be ready at any time." Han Li deliberated briefly, then agreed.
"Thank you, young master!" Upon hearing Han Li's willingness to speak the truth, Yan Shi's face immediately brightened with pleasure.
"It happened like this. After I was deceived by Doctor Mo and trained in the Art of Eternal Youth for more than four years, I discovered..."
Han Li slowly and deliberately recounted how he had been deceived — how Doctor Mo had poisoned him, forced him to practice the Art of Eternal Youth, and then attempted to seize his body through soul-possession. He described how Yu Zitong had appeared and the plots that had been hatched, leaving nothing out. Finally, he spoke of discovering the yin poison in his body and his necessity of coming to Lanzhou to obtain the Warm-Sun Jade as an antidote. Han Li wanted these women to know that in the affair of Doctor Mo's death, he was the true victim. He owed the Mo Residence nothing.
After hearing this thrilling tale, Yan Shi and the others could only stare at one another in astonishment.
If what Han Li said was true, then their husband's death could hardly be blamed on him. Moreover, the methods and schemes Doctor Mo had employed against Han Li, as described by the young man, matched perfectly with their impression of the man's character and ways. The account also contained nothing that contradicted the information contained in the hidden letter. It was likely that most of what Han Li said was the truth.
"If everything you have said is factual, then my husband's death truly should not be laid at your door. This should be blamed entirely on Yu Zitong's treachery. Otherwise, how could my husband have died?" Yan Shi sighed softly and spoke words that made Han Li raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"This Yan Shi is far too biased toward her own husband. In a single sentence, she lightly shifted all of Doctor Mo's blame onto Yu Zitong — that dead man — and absolved her husband entirely, as though he were also a victim." Han Li stared at Yan Shi with wide eyes. Though he said nothing, the strange look in his gaze conveyed his meaning plainly.
Under Han Li's stare, Yan Shi did not so much as flush. She met his gaze as though she had seen nothing at all.
Han Li chuckled bitterly to himself. When a woman grew thick-skinned, she was no less formidable than any man! He could not help but glance at the expressions of the other wives.
Third Madam Liu still wore her customary grin, utterly unchanged. When she caught Han Li looking her way, she even flirted with a wink. Han Li was rendered speechless.
Second Madam Li, upon seeing Han Li's gaze upon her, grew visibly flustered. She lowered her head slightly, worthy of her upbringing as a well-born lady who knew propriety — clearly, she felt some shame at Yan Shi's recent words.
As for Fifth Madam Wang — the cold beauty — though her face remained expressionless as always, her fingers, tightly intertwined with one another, betrayed the turmoil within. As for what exactly she was thinking, Han Li could not say.
"However, given what the young master has just told us — that there is no deep blood feud between us — then the matter of reconciliation should be all the easier to arrange." Yan Shi parted her delicate lips and spoke in a soft, lingering tone.
Han Li turned back and replied evenly: "There is nothing to discuss. Give me the Warm-Sun Jade, and I will turn and leave immediately, never to trouble the Mo Residence again."
"That will not do!" Yan Shi smiled faintly and refused outright.
"Why not?" Han Li asked, showing no anger.
"Yesterday, young master, you must have overheard much from outside my door regarding the Mo Residence's dire situation. You must understand that without outside help, the extermination of our entire household is merely a matter of time. If that is the case, then we might as well have you do the killing — slaughter us sisters clean and be done with it!" Yan Shi's eyes reddened, and she spoke with pitiable vulnerability.
Han Li listened to these words and stared at Yan Shi in silence, his gaze so unwavering that her cheeks flushed crimson. Yet she stubbornly refused to look away.
Han Li let out a long breath. Now he knew where Mo Caihuan, that little imp, had learned her tricks. They were plainly a mirror image of the fox before him — Yan Shi herself.