Su Bai had a face that looked serious, but his way of doing things was completely the opposite of his appearance.
"These are all deadly poisons. You can't just handle them casually."
After getting along with Su Bai for a while, one would realize that two siblings from the same mother could have such different personalities. The elder brother was steady, quiet, and introverted, while the younger sister was bold, unrestrained, and reckless.
"Are those flowers outside usually used to make pills?"
A few days ago, she had seen many maids busy picking flowers in the yard. A large flower field had been picked clean in the end. Fortunately, she had secretly picked a few before.
"Yes. In previous years at this time, they were used to make Suiyan Pills and Huixuan Pills." Su Bai's expression turned serious. "These pills were sold to the Mo Clan at very low prices. Although the cost of cultivating these flowers and plants was extremely high, the income couldn't even cover the cost. We've been running at a deficit every year."
Selling to the Mo Clan? Tang Youyou didn't know that there could be transactions between different clans.
"Why not raise the price?"
"How could that be? The price is set by the Mo Clan. Although our clan is considered a big one, it has declined. We have no say in front of them and can only let them decide at will."
This was a bit unexpected. When she was in the Qiling Manor before, she had seen that the manor was full of noble and wealthy people. It didn't seem like they were short of money at all.
"I see. Then where does our biggest source of income come from every year?"
"Of course, it's the herbs planted in the backyard. These herbs can only be cultivated in the special geology of the Blood Clan. Tian Baoluo is the same. Fortunately, the Mo Clan is only interested in Tian Baoluo. The remaining herbs are usually sold to other clans at the beginning of the year. Some are also cooperated with the witches in the capital. However, the most expensive one among them is still Tian Baoluo."
She had heard before that Tian Baoluo was extremely demanding on its living environment. If there was a slight mistake, it would wither. A large amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources were needed to cultivate it. No wonder the Mo Clan was interested in it.
"Saintess, the two elders request your presence."
Tang Youyou was concentrating on researching the herbs. Hearing the voice at the door, she waved her hand. "Wait a moment."
"Saintess, this can't be delayed. The two elders have important matters to discuss."
She got impatient. "Okay, okay. I'll go right away."
She washed her hands and then followed this young protector out of the door.
"Did the elders say what it's about?"
"The Saintess will know when she arrives."
They were still acting mysterious. Tang Youyou didn't buy this at all. She quickened her pace. Those herbs were still waiting for her to go back.
As soon as she entered the door, she saw the two elders sitting upright, looking imposing. When they saw her coming, they didn't show any expression.
"I wonder what the two elders want to talk to me about?"
The two elders glanced at each other. The senior elder coughed and then said in a low voice, "We've discussed this with the other elders and protectors in the clan. Considering your previous actions that have seriously threatened the safety of our clan, we hereby decide to remove you from the position of Saintess."
Tang Youyou was shocked. She had only been the Saintess for about a month, and now they were going to drive her away so soon?
"Didn't you two elders already punish me for this matter?"
Hearing this, the junior elder stared at her with big eyes like copper bells and snorted. "You still have the nerve to say. Letting you stay at home and reflect was to avoid unnecessary panic and disputes in the clan! Now the resolution has been passed. From now on, you're no longer the Saintess of our clan. Go back where you came from!"
Tang Youyou was never a shameless person. If they had advised her to resign nicely, she would have accepted it gladly. But these people's angry looks really made her angry.
"On what grounds!"
She wanted to say this, but before the words came out of her mouth, she heard a voice behind her. Turning around, she saw it was Su Ran and Su Bai.
"On what grounds do you remove the Saintess! She was found by us with great difficulty. Now that she's finally back in place, how can you just cancel her position as you like!" Su Bai shouted and scolded. She had almost lost her life in order to find the token.
"Su Bai, you're being presumptuous!" The junior elder stood up angrily.
"I think it's you who are being presumptuous!" Su Bai's voice became even louder. "Why is Tian Baoluo sold at such a low price? Such a precious species should be worth a fortune, but the clansmen only get a few taels of silver. Can you say that no one has embezzled money from it?"
"You!"
"You what! I've already investigated this. I just haven't exposed you. I've been waiting for the Saintess to come back so that I can reorganize the affairs of the whole clan. I haven't even started yet, but unexpectedly you're after the Saintess again. What? Are you feeling guilty?"
Tang Youyou understood what was going on. Tian Baoluo was actually bought by the Mo Clan at a high price, but most of the gold had been embezzled by these elders.
The senior elder was stunned at first, and then his expression softened. "Su Bai, you can't just say such things randomly."
Su Bai was extremely angry. Just as he was about to continue arguing with them, he was held back by Su Ran beside him.
"Brother, you were the one who discovered this first. Why can't I say it? They've been bullying us and the other clansmen by using their status as elders. Everyone has been complaining for a long time. Now they even want to drive the Saintess out openly. The Blood Clan has been around for hundreds of years. How has it become like this today!"
Su Bai was full of dissatisfaction, which made Tang Youyou feel heartache too.
"Two elders, although I don't know if I've been a qualified Saintess or not, even if I'm not qualified, I don't think you have the right to drive me out of the clan. Whether I should step down or not should be judged by everyone.
You can't just make a decision privately. Since you two have objections to me, well, tomorrow, gather all the clansmen here. Let everyone vote. If there are more votes for me to stay, then I'll stay. If there are more votes for me to go, then I'll have nothing to say."
After saying that, Tang Youyou stepped forward a few steps, got close to the two elders, and whispered, "After you've filled your own bellies, you should also leave some soup for the people below. Otherwise, if everyone is hungry, they might even eat people."
She patted their shoulders with a smile and then turned around to lead Su Ran and Su Bai out of the main hall.
"Are those things you said true?" Tang Youyou asked.
She learned from Su Bai that she and Su Ran had secretly followed the two elders and had seen them hiding the silver notes with their own eyes, as well as some jewels and gold. In the past few years, everyone had found that the income was much less than before. Clearly, the flowers and plants had been well-cultivated. They had thought they could sell them at a good price, but unexpectedly, the elders said that was the price the buyers were willing to pay. If it was higher, the buyers wouldn't want them. The clansmen were worried that they couldn't sell them, so they could only sell them at a low price with gritted teeth.
They had thought it was just a bad market this year, but unexpectedly, the market was bad every year. Everyone's life was getting poorer and poorer.