Eddie watched as everyone left, obediently returning to their rooms. The grandfather who had ridden the deer, known as Grandpa, arrived only then, giving Eddie a smile that seemed to carry a deeper meaning, yet he said nothing.
When the beautiful lady, Mother Grace, heard that Haye Yew had arrived, she quickly got out of the carriage with Little Frost, who was still soundly asleep, and kowtowed to Haye Yew, "Forgive me, Father-in-law."
She then urged Eddie and Sophia, "Come, both of you, pay your respects!"
Sophia knelt down after a glance at Eddie. However, Eddie stood still, his gaze level and his expression unchanged, showing no intention of kowtowing.
"Eddie, what's the matter? Don't you recognize me as your grandfather?" Haye Yew's voice, reminiscent of clashing swords and armor, had a unique magnetism.
"I've done nothing wrong; there's no need to admit guilt," Eddie replied firmly. He wasn't the original "Cup Guy" and wasn't accustomed to kowtowing easily. Respect for elders was one thing, but Eddie believed genuine respect from the heart was more important than mere formalities.
He didn't know Haye Yew previously and wouldn't kowtow just because of his status.
Trying to maintain a calm voice, Eddie feigned a wronged tone, "A man can die standing, but not live on his knees! I've done nothing wrong; I won't admit guilt or beg for mercy."
"Well said, 'A man can die standing, but not live on his knees.'" Haye Yew seemed surprised, "Eddie, I didn't expect such words from you. It seems I was wrong about you before."
Eddie internally rolled his eyes, knowing that if it weren't for his transmigration in place of the "Cup Guy," such words would never have been uttered.
"Mother Grace, please rise. Whatever your involvement in this matter, I'll give you an explanation. In our Yew family, men can fight and die for honor; settling disputes with fists is normal. But anyone who dares harm women and children is scum. If I find out who's responsible, they'll be executed without mercy. Mother Grace, you can stay here peacefully with your children. As long as I'm alive, no one dares to harm you under my watch. Grandpa, please escort Mother Grace and her family inside. If anyone dares to harm them, you may execute them and report to me later."
With that, Haye Yew turned and walked away, his steps heavy like a moving mountain, shaking the ground with the metallic clang of his artificial leg.
Initially, Eddie thought Haye Yew might confront him or reprimand him, but he was surprised to see Haye Yew comforting Mother Grace.
This gave him the opportunity to show his strength at the family's New Year tournament and regain honor for Mother Grace, crushing those elite talents under his feet.
Once inside the mansion, Eddie found no sign of his Uncle. Grandpa explained the situation, revealing that the uncle had been attacked and poisoned three months ago on his way back after purchasing a Beast Spirit Enlightenment Pill. He had kept it a secret to avoid causing worry.
Eddie thought to himself, looking forward to the family tournament. A battle was exactly what he needed to prove himself and make a statement for Sophia as well.
Mother Grace was shocked upon hearing the news. "Assassination? Poison?" Eddie grew suspicious as he listened. It was too convenient that an ambush happened right after acquiring the Beast Spirit Enlightenment Pill.
"We're not adept at detoxifying. Uncle was afflicted with an unknown, slow-acting, and gentle poison, and we couldn't cure it. "
"Soon, it's the grand celebration of Little Frost's successful contract with the grimoire, and the Feng family, who are experts in poisons, will be there. "
"But they couldn't help either. The only solution involved the Feng family's young lady, who possesses a talent for detoxification. The process requires both to be bare and embrace each other, with her life-guardian war beast slowly removing the toxins. "
"As a lady of high status, she couldn't compromise her virtue without a proper relationship. Uncle refused outright, preferring death over this treatment. But two months ago, his condition worsened, and he was in a constant stupor. After discussing, we decided to send him to the Feng family's young lady."
Eddie was astounded by the story. A deadly poison that only the Feng family's young lady could cure, and through such an intimate method? It seemed less like a cure and more like an overt seduction. He wondered if he would ever have such an opportunity.
Without using his brain, Eddie could tell this was a setup. Whether the Feng family's young lady was an accomplice was unclear, but Uncle was definitely manipulated, reduced to a pawn in someone else's game.
Perhaps realizing the trap, Uncle resisted the treatment, aware that it would bring chaos to the family. Thus, he resisted until he fell unconscious, preferring death to succumbing to fate.
"How is my husband now?" Mother Grace asked tearfully.
"The situation has greatly improved, though he's still weak. The Feng family's young lady assures a complete recovery, but it may take three to four more months of recuperation," Grandpa reassured. "I've seen Uncle, and he's indeed much better."
"Why the rush to marry if full recovery is still months away?" Eddie didn't understand.
"Cough, well, because the Feng family's young lady is already with child. Delaying the engagement might cause scandal, so we chose an auspicious date for the wedding.
Since Uncle couldn't return and the young lady wouldn't come, we had children hold roosters and hens to represent them.
The most important thing is to give the young lady a status, as the child won't wait for anyone. Once born, it would be hard to explain," Grandpa explained.
Eddie felt infuriated.
Uncle was unconscious, and the paternity of the child was uncertain.
How could they be so sure it was his? Just because of the daily embrace?
He wished for a DNA test to prove the child's lineage before deciding on the marriage.
Otherwise, marrying might bring not only a wife but also an unexpected child, and possibly a cuckold's hat.
Grandpa glanced at Eddie, perhaps sensing his disbelief. Seeming hesitant to speak in front of Mother Grace, he gestured to leave the topic for later.