Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

The next morning, Bai Ling returned from outside, and Sun San Niang had already started making breakfast.

Zhou Feng had brought these seasonings to her when he went to the Dream of Splendor world, so Sun San Niang knew their individual flavors and how to mix them.

Qin Jingru was standing next to her, explaining how to use these kitchen utensils.

Even after hundreds of years, Qin Jingru and Lou Xiao'e would still salivate at the sight of Sun San Niang's skillful movements and the aroma wafting from the pot.

The reason why Banzhemian was able to spread her fame throughout the entire city of Tokyo was not only because of Zhao Pan'er's tea-making skills, but also because of Sun San Niang's continuous research and innovation in various delicacies to accompany the tea.

With these modern seasonings and cooking utensils, Sun San Niang's skills have been brought to their fullest potential.

In particular, the local dialect recipes that Zhou Feng brought back for Qin Jingru, who was illiterate, were not something the girl had much patience for. She glanced at them twice and then threw them aside, while Sun Sanniang treasured them like a precious gem.

She had been watching him since midnight last night, but Zhou Feng couldn't resist getting out of bed and pulling her up.

As a result, this woman, relying on her fast recovery speed, got up early again in the morning and, before making breakfast, turned countless pages.

This level of dedication is almost on par with the scholars of ancient times who would hang themselves by their hair or prick their thighs with an awl to stay awake, or the high school seniors in this world who stay up all night studying.

Indeed, interest is the greatest driving force for learning!

But when Zhou Feng sat up, Bai Ling almost couldn't help but laugh: "What's wrong with you? Did you go out to steal something last night?"

Yesterday, Zhou Feng was full of energy, but now he had two dark circles under his eyes. When he got up to wash, he was listless and had no energy.

"Steal what? Don't talk nonsense!"

As if feeling somewhat guilty, Zhou Feng carried the basin of water and a towel to the yard.

None of the five women in the room were virgins; they all knew what had happened last night.

Qin Jingru chuckled and rubbed her head against Sun Sanniang's arm: "Sister Sanniang, Brother Zhou Feng just got back not long ago, so you all have to be gentle! Otherwise, what will Sister Bailing, Sister Xiao'e, and I do?"

"Pah, pah, pah! What do you mean by 'what to do' or 'what not to do'? If you want to, that's your business, but don't drag me into it!"

Although Bai Ling has been married to Zhou Feng for only a short time, she hasn't fully adjusted yet.

Qin Jingru's bluntness in front of so many people made her blush deeply, and she was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Hey! Sister Bai Ling, we're all sisters, why bother with all that formalities? Xiao'e and I have met you before... um!"

Seeing that Qin Jingru's words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Bai Ling strode forward and covered the girl's mouth with both hands.

If we don't stop her soon, who knows what other outrageous things this brat might say!

"What are you guys doing? I hear you laughing and joking around, tell me about it too!"

After washing up, Zhou Feng walked in from outside, and the girls who were still playing around inside immediately stopped what they were doing.

Bai Ling and Qin Jingru were joking around, and their conversation was all about bedroom matters.

If it's just a few girlfriends playfully teasing each other, it's fine to say whatever comes to mind. But if they're talking so bluntly in front of the person in question, they can't bring themselves to say it.

Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang stopped because they had been taught etiquette by countless matrons in the palace, and their behavior in front of the emperor was a bit too presumptuous.

"By the way, the organization asked me to bring something back for you as a thank you for your previous support."

As she spoke, Bai Ling picked up a box from behind her, placed it on the table, and opened it. After taking out the cotton thread that filled the box, the gifts inside were revealed.

Holy crap!

Even Zhou Feng, who was well-informed, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his eyes widening as if they were glued to the ceiling.

Inside the box lay a bronze artifact, 34.5 cm high, 45 cm long, 13.1 cm wide, and weighing 7.3 kg.

Don't ask Zhou Feng why he knows so much, because in this industry, no one is unaware of this size!

This bronze artifact depicts a galloping horse, with three hooves in the air and one hoof sweeping past a flying bird.

The entire horse's weight is concentrated on one hoof, which surpasses even the strength of a flying bird. Despite being a bronze artifact from thousands of years ago, it has managed to bring the principles of mechanical balance to their fullest potential.

Zhou Feng first saw a picture of this thing in his elementary school Chinese textbook, in a text called "Horse Trampling a Flying Swallow"!

This is no laughing matter. It was recognized as a national treasure in the 80s and is even prohibited from leaving the country for exhibitions!

I never expected that the organization of the Courtyard World would actually give him this as a gift. This is too outrageous!

"No way, this thing is a national treasure! You're just giving it to me like this?"

Zhou Feng swallowed hard, staring at the bronze artifact inside the box.

He wouldn't even dare touch such an antique if it were here, for fear that touching it would cause some kind of problem.

"It's just a bronze artifact, isn't it? Our Dragon Kingdom is currently in a stage where it urgently needs development. If this thing can be exchanged for the resources we need, then that's its greatest value."

"It's like selling your father's land without a care in the world." Looking at Bai Ling's magnanimous manner, Zhou Feng couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

If decades later, experts or collectors find out that this thing was given to them, wouldn't that cause a huge uproar?

It's estimated that if he's convicted online without his consent, the bullets aimed at executing him could go on for a month straight.

But how could Zhou Feng not be tempted by such a national treasure, especially one with a legitimate origin?

After hesitating for a few seconds, he stuffed the cotton thread back in and then carefully put the box away.

"Tell me, what does the higher-ups want this time?"