When the two elves performed together, the flowers and plants in the flower garden began to sway slightly with their melody.
Seeing this scene, Xia Duo didn't know whether to sigh that the elves knew how to play, or to feel distressed that he was about to waste an afternoon!
But fortunately, the concert of the two elves could not continue after all. At first, Oripus could keep up with Toph's rhythm, but later, maybe because he was not familiar with the music, he could no longer keep up with Toph's rhythm.
Already.
After discovering this situation, Tove also lost interest in continuing to sing.
But Shado could tell from Toph's expression that the other party still had some unfinished ideas. Shado didn't want an informal meeting to turn into a private concert for the other party, so he quickly changed the subject:
"Ms. Toph, I heard from the Oripus clan leader that you came to Savile Territory to investigate the truth about Ryan's death? If you need any help, please feel free to ask."
In fact, by now in the conversation, Xia Duo has gotten most of the information he wants to know. The rest that he doesn't know will be difficult to know if he continues to use this method.
It is better to end the meeting as soon as possible and go back to discuss it with Niya.
Sure enough, when Shado mentioned the purpose of Toph's trip, Toph's expression quickly turned cold, "Human beings are really impatient! Boring!"
Although he said this, Xia Duo didn't hear any anger in the other person's tone. He was more upset because of the interruption of his interest.
Of course, complaining about human beings' impatience is also the other party's true intention.
"I have already investigated, but Ryan died at the hands of the drow and has nothing to do with the Saville Territory. But I have another thing to do here -"
Having said this, Toph turned her attention to Oripus who was standing aside, "I didn't expect the Silverleaf family to be so bold and actually collaborate with humans to smuggle spices!"
As soon as these words came out, Oripus's slender ears suddenly trembled, and his body began to tremble, but his only courage still supported him to stand here, and subconsciously cast a look at Xia Duo for help.
Xia Duo sighed in his heart, you gave up before anyone else said anything. If you really met someone who came to investigate smuggling, why not just collapse to the ground in fear?
In fact, the Oripus authorities were obsessed with it, and when the treason was pointed out, they immediately became frightened, but Shado saw that Toph actually had no intention of questioning her.
On the contrary, it feels like a joke!
Whose joke are you looking at? It’s unlikely for humans, but it’s not a joke about the Silver Leaf family, right?
If Toph was an ordinary elf, this might be possible, but for Toph, who was born in a famous family and was very likely to become a high mage, the Silverleaf family's jokes were a bit too vulgar.
Then just watch Cormanzo's jokes.
The upper-ranking family and Prince Mian are not necessarily of the same mind. This has long been an open secret that has been seen through by all parties but has not been revealed. Smuggling has harmed the interests of many related families, but more importantly than the interests, it has damaged the majesty of Prince Mian.
For a time, Xia Duo thought about a lot. For example, the Yueguan family was very dissatisfied with the thousand-year rule of King Comansuomian and wanted to cause trouble.
But now, maybe we saw an opportunity.
This speculation made Xia Duo feel more excited, and at the same time he decided to add fire to it. He walked between Toph and Oripus, blocking Oripus from Toph's teasing and scrutinizing gaze.
Welcoming him:
"Is the Yueguan family also interested in the spice business?"
Chateau didn't mention smuggling, as if he was discussing a normal business, "With the Yueguan family's status in Cormanso, do they still care about this little profit?"
Hearing this, Toph was obviously stunned, but she quickly reacted and smiled, "High-ranking families sometimes lack money!"
"So, there is a chance for us to cooperate?"
"Of course, apart from this time, there will be many opportunities for cooperation in the future!"
At the same time, Oripus, who had just been frightened out of control, was now recovering from his emotions. Hearing that Shado had reached an agreement with Toph so easily, his jaw almost dropped.
"Two, two -"
"Chief Oripus, please relax, Ms. Toph has no intention of asking for guilt." Sha Duo comforted her.
"me--"
For a while, Oripus still couldn't react. He still couldn't understand why the upper-class family supported smuggling for money.
However, this situation now seems to be the most ideal situation he had imagined.
In the past, didn't he just want to find a high-ranking family to endorse smuggling? Now he has it, but it's just too easy to get, so he is so worried about gains and losses.
Xia Duo wouldn't be too worried. Even if the smuggling was discovered, it would be a big deal and he would not do it again. At most, he would have to pay some money, which would be fine. However, he could also understand Oripus.
…
After making a preliminary intention to cooperate, Toph did not stay any longer. Instead, she left directly after saying that she would send family members to supervise and assist in the matter.
Xia Duo guessed that the other party might have other things to do and he was just dropping by.
But Xia Duo still had doubts about her initial excuse for investigating the truth about Ryan's death, but the other party concealed it well, and he couldn't get more information.
It's not a big deal at all. Ryan's family has already died at the hands of Drow, and the Moondew Rose family, which has an old relationship with his family, has not issued any investigation commission.
Maybe this was just a temporary excuse that Toph thought of.
…
After returning to the Tower of Time, Shado did not go anywhere else, but went straight to Niya's study.
Niya has been paying attention to Xia Duo's itinerary. Even if she did not directly use detection spells to avoid causing misunderstandings by the Cormanzo investigators, she was monitoring Xia Duo's movements from a distance.
Niya already knew that Sha Duo had been here all the way to the Tower of Time. Now that she saw Sha Duo coming to the study, she couldn't wait to ask the question she was most concerned about:
"are you OK?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry. The conversation went smoothly and there was no conflict."
After hearing that there was no conflict, Niya was immediately relieved, and then asked:
"Then what is the real purpose of the other party? Is it possible that it is to investigate the so-called truth behind the death of an ordinary elf?"
Regarding this question, Chateau thought for a while and then expressed his guess, "Maybe he came for the spice smuggling business in cooperation with Lord Collins, or maybe he came for other purposes, such as testing my love for Netheril.
Attitude, try to sway me towards Comanso, or simply go to Comanso."
Judging from the potential information hidden in Toph's words, the other party did intend to win over him, but Shado knew very well that Cormanso would not have room for his development. In the past, he would only be regarded as a tool.
Therefore, he pretended not to understand Toph's temptation. Anyway, he showed that he could only speak standard Elvish, and the underlying message had nothing to do with standard Elvish.