Xiao Yan looked at the ancient cauldron, and understanding dawned on him. The people in Room Three had paid an eye-popping price to acquire it, then sealed off their room afterward, practically making it clear that they too understood the cauldron's value. Now that they had sent it over, Xiao Yan could vaguely sense, even from his brief earlier look, that something was missing from it. Naturally, what was missing was what the man in white had taken. Yet he had still sent the cauldron to Xiao Yan now. The provocation could not have been more obvious.
Xiao Yan was growing impatient as well. It was one thing for the man in white to outbid him and buy what should have been his halfway through the transaction; after all, competitive bidding at a trade fair was normal. But this blatant provocation was going too far. They had met only twice, and although Xiao Yan had not been particularly friendly, there had been no grudge between them.
As she looked at the cup of fine wine held by the maid, Xiao Yi Xian rose from her chair and examined it carefully. She brought her straight nose close to the rim and sniffed lightly before waving a hand. "It isn't poisoned."
Xiao Yi Xian was far inferior to Xiao Yan in alchemy, but when it came to poison, Xiao Yan was far inferior to her. Since Xiao Yi Xian had confirmed it so firmly, poison was clearly not involved. However, she said nothing further. She plainly had no intention of interfering with Xiao Yan's decision on whether to drink the wine.
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered repeatedly. In the end, he picked up the cup of fine wine and said to the maid, "Please deliver a message for me as well. Xiao Yan