“Dad, think of something!” Xiao Wenbin said quietly to Xiao Defu. “They’re in league with Xiao Jianren. If this is admitted, I’ll have no chance of becoming the Xiao family patriarch!”
Xiao Defu frowned and remained silent.
Seeing this, Xiao Wenbin grew more anxious. After thinking for a moment, he directly addressed Xiao Cuiying, “I can acknowledge this woman as my cousin, a member of our Xiao family, but I have one condition!”
“What condition?” Xiao Cuiying asked.
“Doctor Yan and Jiang Yi will simultaneously treat the Elder. Whoever’s physician successfully treats the Elder will become the patriarch!” Xiao Wenbin stated.
Hearing this, Xiao Cuiying looked towards Jiang Yi. She was unsure if she could successfully treat the Elder, so she dared not agree directly.
Jiang Yi nodded.
Seeing Jiang Yi nod, Xiao Cuiying immediately agreed to Xiao Wenbin.
“Jiang Yi, whether I can become the patriarch this time all depends on you!” Xiao Jianren’s gaze fell upon Jiang Yi as he spoke, “If you cure the Elder and let me become the patriarch, from now on in the Xiao family, you will be second to none, and I guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor.”
“Mm!” Jiang Yi nodded. Xiao Jianren had said these words many times!
However, what Xiao Jianren did not know was that Jiang Yi intended to use this opportunity to make Ye Yanran the patriarch of the Xiao family. The method was simple: after he successfully treated Elder Xiao, he would tell everyone that Ye Yanran had invited him to treat the Elder. At that time, Ye Yanran could legitimately become the Xiao family patriarch. As for Xiao Jianren, he would be out of the picture. Jiang Yi had not exposed him yet because Xiao Jianren still had some use.
“Simultaneous treatment by Jiang Yi and Doctor Yan, this method is not appropriate!” Xiao Defu interjected. “I understand a little about medicine. How about this: Jiang Yi and Doctor Yan will each diagnose the Elder’s condition separately, and then they will each prescribe medicine and treatment. Whoever’s prescription successfully treats the Elder wins! During this period, I will supervise Jiang Yi, and Xiao Cuiying will supervise Doctor Yan. This way, neither of them can cheat, and it will also be clear who successfully treated the Elder!”
“Alright!” Xiao Cuiying agreed.
“This matter is decided then!” Jiang Yi nodded. This was indeed a good idea. Separating their treatments would make it clear who was responsible for the Elder’s recovery.
“Anyone who disagrees can step forward now!” Xiao Defu declared. Everyone remained silent, signifying their agreement.
“When shall we begin?” Doctor Yan inquired.
“Now!” Xiao Defu replied. “Now, Xiao Cuiying and I will escort Jiang Yi and Doctor Yan respectively to diagnose the Elder.”
Doctor Yan nodded upon hearing this.
“Please go ahead!” Xiao Defu’s gaze fell upon Xiao Cuiying. Xiao Cuiying frowned. She knew that Xiao Defu wanted Doctor Yan to diagnose the Elder first.
“I object!” Xiao Jianren stepped forward and said, “Why should Doctor Yan diagnose the Elder first? Jiang Yi must go first. Everyone knows that whoever diagnoses the Elder first gains an advantage. You are Xiao Wenbin’s father, so naturally, you will help Xiao Wenbin and Doctor Yan.”
Xiao Defu’s brow furrowed.
“It’s fine!” Jiang Yi said with a slight smile. “Let Doctor Yan diagnose the Elder first!”
“Jiang Yi, don’t you understand? Why would you let them gain an advantage at a time like this?” Xiao Jianren exclaimed.
“It’s okay!” Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. “Even if they gain a small advantage, it doesn’t matter. Healing people depends on medical skill, not other things.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jianren felt a pang of displeasure. This was the first time Jiang Yi had contradicted him.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you!” Xiao Jianren looked at Jiang Yi and said indifferently, “If you lose this time and I lose my position as patriarch, I will never forgive you.” Xiao Jianren issued a stern warning! Jiang Yi’s actions had greatly angered him. In fact, Jiang Yi did not take Xiao Jianren seriously at all. If Xiao Jianren had no further use, he would have kicked him out long ago.
Xiao Cuiying said nothing further and led Doctor Yan upstairs towards the main hall. Elder Xiao’s ward was on the floor above the main hall.
“You are now the eldest daughter of the Xiao family!” Xiao Jianren’s gaze fell on Ye Yanran as he spoke. “From now on, your name will appear in our Xiao family’s genealogy.”
Ye Yanran nodded.
“Right!” Xiao Jianren continued to address Ye Yanran. “I heard that the Elder once said that this old house here was left to you. From now on, you are the owner of this old Xiao family residence, and your word is law here.” Xiao Jianren assumed Ye Yanran was in league with him, which was why he was helping her. Xiao Jianren did not yet know that he had been deceived. Ye Yanran’s true identity was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, and he believed Ye Yanran was a fraud brought in by Jiang Yi.
“Xiao Jianren, that was many years ago. Who can prove that the Elder ever said such a thing?” Xiao Wenbin looked at Xiao Jianren and sneered. “You were still a child playing in the mud back then. I think you are talking nonsense.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jianren let out a cold laugh. “Ask your father if the Elder said such a thing back then!” he said.
Xiao Wenbin looked at Xiao Defu. Xiao Defu frowned and remained silent. Xiao Defu believed that everything was under his control today. However, he had not expected things to spiral completely out of his control. The situation was now beyond his command.
“Your father’s silence is tacit consent! The old house originally belonged to Yanran!” Xiao Jianren finished speaking and looked at Xiao Wenbin. “What else do you have to say now?” Xiao Wenbin’s face darkened. He was completely at a disadvantage. Xiao Defu’s silence was due to the fact that Elder Xiao had indeed said this in the past, and more than once. Many of the clan members present were aware of this matter. For the sake of his prestige and reputation, Xiao Defu dared not speak carelessly.
“Dad, why aren’t you refuting Xiao Jianren?” Xiao Wenbin whispered to Xiao Defu. “The old house is our Xiao family’s property. Such a large old house cannot fall into Ye Yanran’s hands…”
“The Elder did say he wanted to give the old house to Ye Yanran back then, but it’s fine. What’s the big deal about an old house? If Ye Yanran wants it, let her have it!” Xiao Defu replied. “What you need to do now is find a way to cure the Elder. Once you become the Xiao family patriarch, the old house can naturally be taken back from Ye Yanran!”
Hearing this, Xiao Wenbin finally calmed down.