The Favored Heiress
Chapter 420: Illegal Acts

Chapter 420: Chapter 420: Illegal Acts

Academician Jiang’s modesty seemed to please Shang Qiongying.

A deeper smile formed on her face as she glanced at Li Qiao, who appeared to be talking with Lian Zhen. She then said to Academician Jiang, "That’s far too modest, we all know that your laboratory is currently conducting research on human genetic mutations.

If there are indeed substantial developments, that would be a tremendous contribution to the medical field."

"Hardly, hardly..."

Academician Jiang said with a smile, waving his hand dismissively. He did not continue the topic, or perhaps he was not used to such business-like pleasantries.

Savvy and worldly, Shang Qiongying could tell he was weary of the small talk and did not press further, instead gesturing forward, "Let’s go in then."

...

At eight o’clock in the morning, the seminar room was packed.

Renhe Laboratory was scheduled to present third in the morning session.

Li Qiao sat in the audience, listening to the presentations from other laboratories. Gone was yesterday’s indolence, and the slight smile on her lips hinted at her interest.

However, if one looked closely, they would find a faint trace of mockery in her eyes. She occasionally glanced at her phone before surveying the Council members in the judging seat with an even more mocking expression.

Two hours later, at ten o’clock, the host, holding his manuscript, invited Renhe Laboratory to share their research findings on stage.

Li Qiao and Lian Zhen organized their materials. As they rose, Lian Zhen whispered lowly, "Xiao Li, would you like me to do the presentation?"

Although Li Qiao had been involved in the entire research process, there were many details, and Lian Zhen was worried she might not handle them well.

It wasn’t about taking credit. It was just that Li Qiao was still young, and he feared she might get stage fright in front of such a large audience.

Li Qiao arranged her materials and, as she stood up from her chair, shook her head, "No need."

As she turned to walk to the podium, she lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear and instructed Lian Zhen, "Senior Brother Lian, remember what I told you this morning."

She absolutely had to give today’s report.

Renhe Laboratory’s research theme was human gene mutation. Both took the stage together with Li Qiao as the main speaker and Lian Zhen assisting.

The content displayed on the screen included various research reports and journal materials.

Li Qiao’s cool and steady voice lacked dramatic intonation but did not sound too monotonous.

"Renhe Laboratory’s newly developed drug Rh49, in clinical trials with Australia’s Dz13 inhibitor, has proven to be significantly effective against genetic mutations and chromosomal disorders.

In the future, we will continue our exploration into human genetic research targets. Thank you."

After the report, a round of symbolic applause rippled through the seminar room.

Li Qiao stood in front of the podium, holding a laser pointer, her gaze sweeping over the audience. Three seconds later, she raised her eyebrows subtly, preparing to step down, and then—

"Researcher Li, I have a question I’d like to ask."

This was said by Shang Qiongying. Without surprise, Li Qiao paused mid-step and looked toward the judges’ seat on the right side of the room, nodding faintly, "Please go ahead."

Shang Qiongying flipped through the research report in her hand and looked up to meet Li Qiao’s gaze, "I wonder, why has Renhe Laboratory suddenly started researching human genetic mutations? Is there a particular reason?"

The last sentence was very pointed.

Li Qiao stood in front of the projection screen, her gaze sharp and unblinking as she looked back at Shang Qiongying, replying calmly and firmly, "Because the medical community’s research on gene mutation has lagged, even though Renhe Laboratory has not been established for long, it still hopes to contribute to the advancement of medicine.

As for the opportunity, it probably comes down to the right timing, place, and people. Each laboratory’s research direction and field are different; not all research can wait for a specific opportunity to begin."

Shang Qiongying glanced at Li Qiao on the stage, her smile slightly restrained, "What you say doesn’t sound too bad, but I seem to have heard some unfavorable rumors about Renhe. What do you think about that?"

Li Qiao tilted her head, speaking at an even pace, "The vice-chairwoman also referred to them as rumors. If rumors were reliable, then what would we need research for? Couldn’t we just rely on rumors to spread information?"

Below the stage, someone laughed out loud, accompanied by a few teasing remarks.

Shang Qiongying had always known that Li Qiao was eloquent, but she was somewhat surprised that Li Qiao dared to embarrass her at such a prominent medical conference.

With new grudges adding to old ones, Shang Qiongying smiled meaningfully, "Researcher Li certainly has a way with words. Normally, in an occasion like today, I, as the organizer, should not be saying so much.

But... I have received a report alleging that your Renhe Laboratory has conducted unauthorized human experiments in violation of ethical standards. Is this also a rumor?"

When the words were spoken, the large seminar room became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

But after just three seconds, a buzz of commotion began to rise.

Human experimentation was no trivial matter.

"Is it true? They dared to conduct human experiments in secret?"

"Who knows what’s true, but Academician Jiang is a national-level academician. Would he make such a low-level mistake?"

"Well, you never know. For fame and fortune, what wouldn’t some people dare to do?"

Discussion and a smattering of accusatory voices filled every corner of the venue.

The Renhe team’s seats instantly became the focus of everyone’s pointing and comments.

Academician Jiang’s face flushed red with anger. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up to say to Shang Qiongying, "Vice-Chairwoman, what do you mean by that? All of Renhe’s research has been within the operational boundaries allowed by the nation; how could we possibly conduct human experiments?"

Shang Qiongying sat at the judge’s panel and turned to look at Academician Jiang behind her, her lips pressed into a thin line, "Academician Jiang, since I dared to say this, there must be sufficient evidence.

You also know that this is our first time hosting such an exchange event, and Renhe was very lucky to have received the qualification to attend.

If your research was initiated through illegal means, then the Medical Research Council certainly cannot pretend to be blind. Don’t you agree?"

Academician Jiang had been immersed in medical research all his life and had never been publicly questioned about his research methods.

He braced his hands on the tabletop, the space between his eyebrows throbbing, "Then show your evidence."

Li Qiao gave Lian Zhen a secret signal from behind the scenes. Although his expression was solemn, he folded back to the audience seats and whispered a few comforting words to Academician Jiang.

At this moment, Shang Qiongying and a few judges beside her exchanged a few words, and afterward, an elder over sixty years old looked through the Renhe materials thoughtfully, "Miss Li, as I understand it, you have just graduated from university this year, and the gene mutation research at Renhe was initiated by you, wasn’t it?"

"Yes, it was me." Li Qiao played with a laser pointer in her hand, responding indifferently to the other party’s question.

Seeing this, the elderly man pursed his lips, shook his head, and whispered a few words to Shang Qiongying, a look of disappointment and resignation appearing on his face, "Young lady, at your young age, it’s still best to stay grounded.

Even if you want to make a contribution to the medical field, you should not take shortcuts. Do you realize that conducting human experiments is illegal in this country?"