Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 8 Jade Bracelet
"Old Man Wuji?" Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin blurted out subconsciously.

The two looked at each other, both realizing that they had lost their composure.

Rong Wanyin's heart immediately went on edge. It seemed the other party knew her master to some extent, otherwise why would he react so strongly? Could it be that the other party was also interested in her master's "junk"?
"Where is the treasure chest?" Yan Mingzhang restrained his inner anxiety, clenched the jade flute in his hand, and asked.

Rong Wanyin glanced at Yan Mingzhang warily. Taking advantage of Wen Xin's inattention, she leaned over and said in a low voice, "I don't care about other things. If this is really Elder Wuji's thing, then I will definitely get it. Don't try to snatch it from me!"

Seeing her looking at him, Yan Mingzhang seemed to be thinking about something. He smiled politely at Rong Wanyin, but said without being too condescending: "Oh? So you are from the same field? However, we each rely on our own abilities..."

"I've never believed in ghosts and gods. I think someone must be behind this! Just like today!" Rong Wanyin rolled her eyes at Yan Mingzhang, stood up and walked over to Wen Xin, saying firmly, "And it must be someone who's very familiar with the Wen family and knows that Zhenbaozhai is part of their business."

"I think so too, but my parents are convinced that ghosts exist and have hired all kinds of people to catch them. We've reported it to the authorities, but they won't help. So I beg for your help," Wen Xin said sincerely. "I'll definitely reward you handsomely once you're done."

I heard you can catch ghosts, how fun! Rong Wanyin's eyes lit up, and she took the opportunity to go to the Wen family and take a look: "Okay, okay, I want to see who's causing trouble."

Yan Mingzhang smiled and accepted the task. Rong Wanyin suddenly felt annoyed with him. Where did this young boy come from? He wanted to steal her things? She had just thought that this boy looked decent.

Suddenly, Rong Wanyin's stomach growled, and everyone looked at her. She scratched her head, a little embarrassed, and a little angry: "I didn't even get to eat a single bite! What a waste!"

"It was my negligence." Wen Xin quickly apologized and said to the shopkeeper Gao beside her, "Shopkeeper Gao, please prepare a banquet for our guests." Shopkeeper Gao responded with a smile and went out to prepare it.

Wen Xin served the food to everyone, revealing the jade bracelet on her right hand. The jade wasn't very transparent, and it looked cheap. The bracelet had probably been broken, so the broken end was covered with silver. Two small bells hung from it, the workmanship so exquisite that it made the bracelet look even more luxurious. There was actually a "little red bean" at the joint, just like the one on Rong Wanyin's compass!
Rong Wanyin and Yan Mingzhang saw it at the same time, and their eyes lit up instantly.

"Sister Xin, your bracelet..."

"Boss Wen, your bracelet..."

The two spoke almost at the same time.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Wen Xin's face. She quickly hid the bracelet in her sleeve and said with a smile, "It's just a little gadget I bought on the street. I thought it was interesting, so I wore it for fun..."

Rong Wanyin thought: The jade bracelet wasn't carved by Master, but the connection to it was definitely made by Master! I couldn't have been mistaken. How could I have bought it on the street? I just didn't know how to get it. I could only wait and see.

Rong Wanyin felt a little headache. When would her master change his habit of giving gifts to others casually?
-
After dinner, everyone followed Wen Xin to the Wen family's villa halfway up Jinsu Mountain outside the city. Rong Wanyin looked up and saw that the villa was extraordinary.

This courtyard, called Siyi Garden, was built into the hillside. Because it was a separate courtyard, its specifications were unconventional, unlike those of ordinary residences. It was surrounded by towering walls, and beyond them were cliffs. The sheerness of the cliffs was daunting; even if someone managed to scale the wall, a fall would surely spell death. As they entered the courtyard, the first thing they saw was a white marble arch bridge. Beneath the bridge lay a deep, bottomless pool. As Rong Wanyin crossed the bridge, she shuddered, a sense of unease and a chill rising within her.

After walking across the white marble bridge, you will see a curved bridge spanning the water. After crossing the bridge, you will see a winding corridor. On both sides of the corridor, exotic flowers and plants are scattered in an orderly manner. At the end of the corridor is the main hall.

There is a lake on the right side of the corridor. It seems that the water under the white marble arch bridge was diverted from this lake.

The owner of this garden took advantage of the mountain and the wall to enclose the lake within the garden. He is indeed very rich!

"This courtyard is exquisitely designed and quite charming. I wonder which famous artist created it?" Yan Mingzhang exclaimed.

Wen Xin smiled and replied: "My daughter is not talented..."

……

Everyone walked into the hall.

Three people were standing in the hall. Seeing someone arrive, they came forward to greet them. One of them was a middle-aged couple, who, judging by their elegant attire and the dignified demeanor they exuded, must be Mr. and Mrs. Wen. Mr. Wen, a seasoned businessman, wore a polite smile and was courteous, but his eyes were cold and distant. He nodded slightly, his words full of politeness, devoid of any genuine emotion.

Mrs. Wen stood aside, her brows slightly furrowed, a look of criticism and impatience in her eyes. The corners of her mouth drooped slightly, as if she was dissatisfied with everything around her. When she looked at Wen Xin, her gaze seemed to be scrutinizing, as if she were examining an object that did not suit her taste.

Beside them stood a young girl, slightly younger than Wen Xin, with a youthful face. Judging by her appearance, she was likely Wen Xin's younger sister, Wen Rou. The mother and daughter bore a striking resemblance. Wen Rou held Madam Wen's arm affectionately, while Madam Wen gently tucked Wen Rou's hair behind her ear. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell they were mother and daughter. Wen Wen, on the other hand, resembled Master Wen more than Madam Wen.

Madam Wen's face was filled with anxiety and suspicion. She looked Rong Wanyin and the others up and down several times, and then she rudely accused Wen Xin, "Where have you been? I told you to find some Taoist priests who can exorcise ghosts, so why are you just back? Are these the Taoist priests you found? Those Taoist priests who can catch ghosts? Who are they? You can't just find someone to fool us! The disturbance in this house is getting worse and worse."

Wen Xin bowed respectfully and replied, "Father, Mother, these are Master Yan's attendants Mo Yun and Chang Feng, and this is Miss Rong Wanyin. They both possess unique skills, and I believe they can break this impasse."

Mrs. Wen's cold and stern attitude towards Wen Xin was completely different from the way she treated Wen Rou, like two completely different people. Wen Xin, however, seemed calm and answered respectfully, politely but distantly.

Master Wen knew Madam Wen was harshly criticizing Wen Xin, but he remained indifferent and said nothing. Although Master Wen remained silent, his eyes scrutinized Yan Mingzhang, Rong Wanyin, and the others standing before him. His disapproval was evident as his gaze scanned their attire; they certainly didn't look like ghost hunters.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the Wen family's main hall was a little solemn.

(End of this chapter)