Chapter 639: Yu Family in the North of the City

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Yes, it’s still here!” The innkeeper hastily exclaimed.

He was now counting on Gu Qingluan to save him and was very courteous to her.

Gu Qingluan asked him to bring the removed charcoal to take a look.

The innkeeper took two people to fetch the charcoal.

Xiao Jingye was afraid that he would slip away, so he sent guards to follow.

After a moment, a basket of silver-white charcoal was delivered.

Gu Qingluan picked up a piece of charcoal and said, “It’s the same as the one used in the inn where we stay, it’s also silver-thread charcoal.”

“Is it poisonous?” Xiao Jingye asked in a deep voice.

“How is that possible? We have always used silver-thread charcoal here. If it were poisonous, how could we have been fine for so long?” The innkeeper immediately denied it, not wanting to be blamed for this.

“Single silver-thread charcoal is not poisonous,” Gu Qingluan shook her head. “But these silver-thread charcoals have been mixed with a powder called ‘Red Star,’ which is silver in color. It’s hard to detect if you’re not familiar with it. Red Star can mask the scent of silver-thread charcoal and emit a faint fragrance. However, if it’s mixed with Yeyu Grass, it will produce a scent that puts people to sleep.”

“Where can we find Yeyu Grass?” Xiao Jingye asked.

Gu Qingluan looked outside. “The name of Yeyu City seems to come from Yeyu Grass.”

Xiao Jingye was stunned, “Are you saying that there are a lot of Yeyu Grass in the city?”

Gu Qingluan smiled faintly and looked at the innkeeper. “If there’s no heavy snow covering it, Yeyu Grass should be everywhere, right?”

The innkeeper’s expression changed. “Madam seems to have a deep understanding of our Yeyu City. Yes! Yeyu City is named after Yeyu Grass, and the most common grass here is Yeyu Grass. Even under the snow, there are still Yeyu Grass. However, I’ve never heard of this thing called Red Star, let alone know that it would become a drug when mixed with Yeyu Grass.”

“You dare to quibble!” Xiao Jingye stared at him with a dark expression.

The innkeeper straightened up. “Sir, you must have heard what this Madam said. Prosperous Guest Inn also uses this silver-thread charcoal. Do you think that our two inns have collaborated to harm people?”

Xiao Jingye was at a loss for words.

Gu Qingluan said in a low voice, “The answer is still unknown, but for now, we cannot rule out your suspicion.”

Hearing this, the innkeeper was startled and said urgently, “Madam, this matter really has nothing to do with me.”

“If the innkeeper is innocent, then cooperate with us in finding the mastermind behind this,”

The innkeeper asked, “Madam, what do you want me to do? I’ve told you everything 1 know, and I don’t know anything else.”

Gu Qingluan glanced lightly at the basket of silver-thread charcoal and asked, “First, tell us where you buy this silver-thread charcoal.”

“From the Yu family in the north of the city.”

“The Yu family in the north of the city?”

“The Yu family in the north of the city is the wealthiest in Yeyu City. They own a silver-thread charcoal mine, and all the silver-thread charcoal in the city is supplied by them.”

Gu Qingluan furrowed her brows at this information. “You all buy from the Yu family?”

“Yes, the people from the Yu family are good, and the silver-thread charcoal they sell to us locals is both good and cheap. The price is a full thirty percent lower than what’s offered to outsiders.”

“That does sound quite good,” Gu Qingluan casually agreed.

Xiao Jingye impatiently interrupted them, “Stop talking about irrelevant things and find the mastermind quickly. My cousin is still missing.”

The innkeeper dared not speak in the face of his anger.

Gu Qingluan’s gaze swept coolly across his face. “Young Master Yun can find him yourself.”

Xiao Jingye’s heart sank instantly.

This woman…

Gu Qingluan then asked the innkeeper a few more questions.

Afterward, she instructed Xiao Jingye, “Send two groups of people out for investigation. One group should go to the Yu family’s mine and check if their silver-thread charcoal is mixed with Red Star. The other group should investigate other inns and residences, focusing on the silver-thread charcoal they use. If it can’t be determined, bring some back for me to examine.”

Xiao Jingye rallied and ordered his men to carry out the tasks as per Gu Qingluan’s instructions.

During the waiting period, he asked her, “Do you suspect the Yu family?”

“Yes.”

The following moments were filled with anxious waiting.

Xiao Jingye looked at Gu Qingluan and Feng Tianlan and couldn’t help but ask, “How did the two of you end up here?”