The Double
Chapter 238 - 103: Grandparent and Grandchild

Chapter 238: Chapter 103: Grandparent and Grandchild

"Why is there Tuoluo on this Ancient Fragrance Satin?"

At these words, everyone around looked at each other in confusion.

Ye Jiaer asked, "Lord Tang, what is Tuoluo?"

"Tuoluo is a kind of plant from the Western Regions," before Tang Fan could speak, Jiang Li answered, "It blooms around swamps, has a fragrant smell, but the petals of the Tuoluo are poisonous. There have been instances of people grinding the Tuoluo petals into powder to create poison, blending it into food and clothing without detection, and over time, people would be poisoned."

Looking at Jiang Li in surprise, Tang Fan took a moment before saying, "How does the Second Miss know so much about this?"

"I read about it in the ’Annals of the Western Regions’ in my father’s study. I happened to come across this information." Jiang Li smiled.

As the Grand Secretary, Jiang Yuanbai had a vast collection of books, so having such rare volumes was within reason. Tang Fan said, "I see, the Second Miss truly is learned and has an impressive memory."

Ye Rufeng and Ye Jiaer exchanged looks. Jiang Li was younger than them but seemed to know more.

"Does Lord Tang mean that all of the Ancient Fragrance Satin here has Tuoluo on it?" Ye Mingyu asked.

"Indeed," replied Tang Fan, "it is definitely Tuoluo without a doubt."

"The petals of the Tuoluo flower have a fragrance, and the Ancient Fragrance Satin has its own scent. Grinding the Tuoluo petals into powder and mixing it into the Ancient Fragrance Satin would not be easily detected. Looking at it this way, the cause of the rashes and even deaths from the Ancient Fragrance Satin could all be due to the Tuoluo flower." Jiang Li said.

"The Second Miss is correct," Tang Fan looking at Ye Jiaer, "how could the Ye Family’s Ancient Fragrance Satin have Tuoluo in it?"

Ye Jiaer shook her head: "Lord, this is absolutely impossible. Without reason, how would the Ye Family ruin their own reputation? The Ancient Fragrance Satin has been problem-free for many years, and suddenly to have issues, there must be a reason, but it couldn’t possibly be something we did."

Tang Fan stared at her: "Perhaps it was an accident during the Weaving Yard’s production, that Tuoluo flowers got mixed in?"

"That..." Ye Jiaer hesitated for a moment, then shook her head firmly, "Lord, the Ye Family Weaving Factory is personally inspected by my father and my second uncle, it cannot be flawed. If the problem came from within the Ye Family, it would’ve been discovered before it ever left the weaving yard. It’s impossible for defective fabric to go out."

Tang Fan was about to say more, but then he heard Jiang Li speak up, "Lord Tang."

In front of the Chief Minister’s Daughter, Tang Fan, no matter how bold, would not fail to give face, so he assumed a serious listening posture.

Jiang Li said, "To my knowledge, Tuoluo flowers grow in the swamps to the south of the Western Regions, which is far too distant from Xiangyang. After all, Xiangyang is not as bustling as Yanjing, with a multitude of people coming and going. The Weaving Maidens of the Ye Family Weaving Factory have been in Xiangyang for years, it should be impossible for them to obtain Tuoluo. The same applies to the other people of Xiangyang. It would be worthwhile to investigate the merchants who come and go from Xiangyang each year, and whether any come from the Western Regions. If there are such merchants, it’s highly possible that the Tuoluo could have flowed from their hands. Whether it was intentional to target the Ye Family or accidentally mixed into the weaving yard, such an exotic and dangerous plant is not something one commonly encounters."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingyu also said, "Indeed, this Tuoluo flower must be a rare item. I’ve been traveling around all year, and this is the first I’ve heard of it. Jiang Li, this thing must be expensive, right?"

"A less expensive Tuoluo flower costs one hundred taels of silver, while a better one can go for a thousand taels. The more vibrant the color and the stronger the fragrance of the Tuoluo flower, the more toxic and expensive it is. Like the problematic Ancient Fragrance Satin which could kill a person, it should undoubtedly be worth over a thousand taels of silver." Jiang Li looked at Tang Fan, "Lord Tang, forgive my presumption, a top-grade piece of Ancient Fragrance Satin costs five hundred taels of silver; ’accidentally’ mixing in Tuoluo flowers worth a thousand taels into a batch of satin valued at one hundred taels is not something ordinary people can do. I think suspecting someone deliberately framing the Ye Family and concocting this plot should not be considered excessive."

With a lighthearted smile, her words carried significant weight. Tang Fan’s brows furrowed as he listened, feeling increasingly burdened. It was possible what Jiang Li said was true, but if it was indeed a conspiracy, the matter was serious. Merchants pursued profits and sabotaging each other wasn’t unheard of. But the Ye Family was not just any merchant; they were the Grand Secretary of Northern Yan, with businesses all over the country. Whoever dared to target the Ye Family must have a great deal of courage, and the issue could potentially involve some important figures. Meanwhile, the Jiang Family was openly supporting the Ye Family, and this matter could not be left uninvestigated, especially when the Second Miss, seemingly amiable, was in fact very astute. It seemed like she had already clearly seen through the situation, just waiting for someone to be the scapegoat and resolve the matter cleanly.