Chapter 380 - A Surprise Gift for a Visit (III) (1/2)

Xiong De did not meet the old man for a long time, almost a year now. After most of his shares in the Xiong Empire was taken away, he made various excuses to visit the old man and handed out his 'gifts' personally.

His gifts were naturally accepted as all of the relatives who visited here personally would normally gift the old man a box of expensive herbal tea, ginseng, some tea seat, antiques, or his favorite incense. They usually would secretly watch out to not clash with each other's gifts and avoided gifting redundantly.

Thus, in the past two years, he took the job to be the old man's supplier of his incense. Others thought he was simply trying to get back the old man's grace.

Even when he finally refrained from visiting too much and simply sent the gifts over, he had never received rejection from the main house.

The poison was unique and very hard to detect unless the experts handling it was familiar with its nature. Poison checks would not be able to detect it, only if they use especially designed tools for this specific poison would they be able to. He was confident that this would pass the safety check and be stored inside the storeroom.

Naturally, the maids and butlers would use this favored incense even without telling the old man himself. Since a relative was the one who gifted it and it was proven safe, it was natural to use it first rather than the ones that the household bought.

This was a kind of courtesy in their circle.

Unless, someone with higher status gave the same gift. The gift from the one with the higher status would be prioritized.

It so happened that the heiress' gift was to be prioritized as a sign of respect.

Xiong De's knuckles went pale, but he still tried to confirm.

”Y-young Miss Zhi...also gave you gifts in the past year...?”

”En. My granddaughter, as you said, is filial. She knows what incense I am quite addicted to. She sent me gifts consistently every month, ever since she was titled as the heir.”

Titled as the heir... that was more than two years ago, almost three years now!

”So you see. Your gifts are all in my storage room. Forgive me for not prioritizing yours.”

Xiong De turned silent. He could not speak. His effort to poison the old man in the past two years... It was all in vain...

How could that be possible! His spies told him that they were using his incense!

His eyes flickered. But did they know that there were two incense with the same shape and material, from the same craftsmen?

The ominous premonition grew stronger.

The Young Miss' gift, exactly the same gift, the same frequency. Was it really a coincidence?

No. He did not believe in coincidences, like his wife's death. It was all planned.

But if it was, then that would be scarier.

Someone knew of his scheme long ago and waited for two years.

It was no doubt connected to the Young Miss.

Was it Xiong Bilan, that snake brother of his, or the Young Miss herself?

Xiong De's brain ran quickly. It did not even slightly entered his mind that the old man might knew of his poisonous scheme. Because if the old man knew, Xiong De would not be sitting here and having tea with the old man in an intact body.

Old Xiong watched every expression faintly flashing on his face. He enjoyed the feeling of cornering a doomed prey. He gave an evil smile.