(The second update is out—don't forget to cast your vote as well!) Upon hearing Han Li's words, the women's faces swiftly turned from pale to rosy, adding a touch of renewed charm and grace. Yin Shi was the first to regain her composure from her initial anger. Gently adjusting the jade hairpin at the top of her braid, she regained her poise and said, "Even if you are truly a cultivator, and thus unafraid of this incense, wouldn't you be mindful of the lingering cold toxin within your body?" She had drawn forth her final reserve. Han Li's previously composed expression immediately grew cold upon hearing this. Indeed, the Master of Medicine had successfully handed over the very weapon that could have threatened him—the one that could have compelled him—to these women. "Indeed, I am afflicted with a cold toxin," Han Li replied calmly, "but before the toxin takes full effect, I would not hesitate to eliminate every single member of your household!" Though his words were delivered with quiet composure, the underlying resolve in his tone was unmistakable to the women. Yin Shi remained silent for a moment, choosing not to speak. The others remained silent as well, it seemed that when it came to matters of life and death, the one truly capable of making decisions within the Mo family was Lady Yan, the fourth consort. "Since we are both hesitant, unwilling to suffer defeat at each other's hands, perhaps we must simply talk things over," Lady Yan said calmly after a brief pause. "Of course, I don't intend to die so humbly at such a young age!" With his own life at stake, Han Li dropped any pretense and readily agreed to her proposal. He then sat down once again directly across from Lady Yan. "However, before we begin our discussions, I would like to kindly ask you to recount the full account of how my husband was killed. As spouses, we are the ones who truly know the circumstances of his death, and only then can we feel at ease. Please rest assured—though my husband may have indeed perished at your hands, we will have no further complaints. After all, as a mother with no children and a household of just us, we cannot possibly risk our fragile position by confronting you head-on and seeking our own demise." "Yan Shi's last words sounded profoundly mournful, as if Han Li were the very tyrant who had long oppressed them and their children. Upon seeing the expression on the other's face, Han Li found himself slightly troubled. Though he knew the woman was acting, the sight of Yan Shi's sorrow touched him deeply. After all, wasn't it merely a matter of recounting the circumstances of Doctor Mo's death? There was little to conceal—Han Li himself believed that Mo's passing was not his fault, but rather the result of Yu Zi Tong's own actions and choices. 'Very well! I'll be happy to give you a detailed account of Doctor Mo's death. Should you still insist on holding me accountable, I shall be ready to accompany you at any time!' Han Li paused, then agreed. 'Thank you, young lord!' Upon hearing that Han Li was willing to reveal the truth, Yan Shi immediately brightened, her face beaming with relief and joy. "Here's what happened—I was deceived by Doctor Mo. After practicing the Changchun Power for over four years, I only realized... " Han Li slowly recounted the story of how he had been fooled, how Doctor Mo had poisoned him and forced him to practice the Changchun Power. He detailed the doctor's plan to take over his physical body, intending to use his life force to sustain himself, only to have his spirit eventually consumed. He also fully explained the appearance of Yu Zichong and the conspiracy behind it. Finally, he mentioned that he had discovered a deep internal poison and had come to Lanzhou specifically to warm himself with the Yang Zhu Yu, a healing jade, to expel the toxin. Han Li wanted these ladies to understand that in the incident involving Doctor Mo's death, he was truly the victim—there was absolutely no loss or obligation owed to the Mo family. Upon hearing Han Li's dramatic account, the members of the Yan family could not help but exchange glances, astonished. If Han Li's story were true, then their husbands' deaths could truly not be blamed on the other side. Moreover, as Han Li had described the Doctor Mu’s methods and strategies, they truly matched the impressions the two had of the person’s habits and demeanor, and there was no contradiction with the information conveyed in the secret letter. Thus, Han Li believed the doctor’s statements were likely genuine. "If all that you've said is true, then my husband’s death should not be attributed to you at all," said Yan Shi, sighing gently. "It must all be due to Yu Zichong’s cunning schemes. Otherwise, how could my husband have perished?" Her words caught Han Li off guard. "Yan Shi is being far too partial to her husband," Han Li remarked, eyes wide. "She simply shifts all the blame onto Yu Zichong—on that already-dead man—while completely absolving her husband, as if he were also a victim." Though Han Li said nothing aloud, the expression in his eyes clearly conveyed his surprise. Under Han Li’s steady gaze, Yan Shi remained composed, neither blushing nor flustered, as if completely unaware of the tension. Han Li smiled to himself, wondering if this woman's resilience wasn't quite as strong as that of a man after all. He glanced at the expressions of the others. Lady Liu, the Third Consort, remained cheerful and unchanged, even offering Han Li a flirtatious glance when he looked her way—something he could only watch in silence. Lady Li, the Second Consort, appeared slightly uneasy when Han Li turned to her, lowering her head slightly; clearly, as a well-bred lady of the household, she felt a bit embarrassed by Lady Yan's earlier remarks. As for Lady Wang, the Fifth Consort, though she had maintained a composed and expressionless demeanor throughout, the way her fingers were tightly clasped revealed her inner tension. Han Li, however, remained uncertain about her true feelings. "Nevertheless," Lady Yan said, her lips parting gently, "as the gentleman just mentioned, there is no deep-seated enmity between us. Thus, the negotiations will surely proceed more smoothly." Han Li listened to Yan Shi's words and turned back, speaking calmly, "What's there to discuss? Simply give me the Warm-Sun Jade, and I'll turn around and leave—never to bother the Mo family again!" "That won't do!" Yan Shi smiled gently and immediately rejected the proposal. "Why not?" Han Li remained composed and asked. "Last night, when the young lord was outside my chambers, he must have heard many things about the Mo family's dire circumstances," Yan Shi said. "You surely understand that, without outside help, the entire Mo family will be wiped out—eventually, inevitably. If that's the case, then why not let the young lord take action and eliminate us sisters completely at once?" Her eyes glistened with emotion, and she spoke with a delicate, pitiful grace. Han Li listened silently, staring at Yan Shi in quiet surprise, watching as her cheeks flushed, yet she remained resolute, refusing to look away from his gaze. Han Li exhaled deeply. Now he understood exactly how Mo Caichuan's little sprite had learned her tricks—clearly, she was a perfect replica of the very sprite before him.