As I was pondering, I saw Bai Zhujing glance at Bai Hanyan. She nodded at me and said, "Let's go."
I looked confused, "Go where?"
"To help you open that box, of course," Bai Hanyan replied.
I was taken aback, "Aren't you..."
Seeing her sly smile, I suddenly understood everything!
So these father and daughter were setting a trap for me!
After leaving the Bai residence, I reviewed the entire sequence of events.
When I returned from Yuncheng, Wu Tingxiu asked me to find someone in Yanjing. Bai Hanyan volunteered, which was her way of probing my background. She wanted to know what Wu Tingxiu had asked me to do in Yanjing.
This meant that from the very beginning, Bai Hanyan knew that to open the Five Elements Twin Dragon Box, it would require the Bai family's expertise.
And I would inevitably have to seek her help, thus smoothly falling into the Bai family's scheme.
During the lock-picking process, Bai Hanyan deliberately drew Bai Zhujing in, intending to make me walk right into the trap myself...
Thinking of this, I felt a wave of helplessness.
"What? Are you still bothered by it?" Bai Hanyan asked from inside the car.
I gave a wry smile, "Does your Bai family always scheme against people like this?"
Bai Hanyan retorted, "What are you talking about? What do you mean 'scheme'? This is called mutual help... Don't forget, when you asked me to go to Binhai, I didn't say a word. Besides, if it weren't for me that time, do you think you could have found the Stone Turtle secret chamber?"
Her words left me speechless for a moment.
It was true, this girl had helped me quite a bit. Compared to Wu Tingxiu, I actually trusted Bai Hanyan more.
After all, we had gone through hardships together, and I had sought her help many times, like the time we set a trap for Liu Hui, Bai Hanyan hadn't refused.
In comparison, asking the Bai family to investigate Wu Cheng wasn't a big deal for me.
Upon arriving at the farm again, Wu Tingxiu didn't see Bai Zhujing and asked me what was going on.
I shrugged and looked at Bai Hanyan. She spoke up, "My father has already told me how to unlock the Five Elements Twin Dragon Box."
Wu Tingxiu's eyes lit up, "Really? Then I'll have to trouble Miss Bai."
Bai Hanyan replied, "Mr. Wu is too polite. If you want to thank someone, thank Xiang Fei."
With that, she walked directly into the private room, leaving Wu Tingxiu and me standing in the hallway.
Wu Tingxiu asked me what had happened. I could only make up a lie, saying that I had agreed to be a consultant for their Yipinpai in exchange for Bai Zhujing's help, and that I would assist them with any treasure appraisal business in the future.
After hearing this, Wu Tingxiu looked at me with gratitude, "Xiao Fei, thank you so much this time. If it weren't for you..."
She trailed off, and a flicker of sincerity appeared in her eyes.
Such an expression was very rare on her. Having interacted with Wu Tingxiu for so long, I knew her personality well.
She was someone who kept herself well-hidden, not easily revealing her vulnerable side.
"Mr. Wu, you're too kind. I should do this. As they say, 'one who eats others' shortens their tongue, and one who takes others' hands shortens their hands'... Besides, our interests are now tied together. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have become the manager of Anyuantang," I said with a smile.
Bai Hanyan added, "Xiao Fei, don't worry. I'll remember all the things you've done for me."
I nodded, "Let's go in."
"Okay."
Upon entering the private room, Bai Hanyan was already working with Yang Hanxue to unlock the box.
I had to admit that Bai Hanyan's geomancy skills were quite impressive.
After some calculations, she said, "Water above, fire below, wood to the left, metal to the right, earth in the center..."
Yang Hanxue turned the key according to her instructions. After a moment, his brow unfurrowed, and he exclaimed with joy, "The password is correct!"
As soon as he said it, we all gathered around.
With a "click," the box was opened.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the box. Inside, there was a scroll of parchment.
"What is this?" Bai Hanyan asked.
Wu Tingxiu was about to reach for it when Wu Hao said, "Wait a moment!"
He then glanced at us and said, "Everyone else, please step out for now."
Yang Hanxue didn't seem to mind. He nodded at me and left the private room.
Bai Hanyan was clearly displeased, muttering, "It's just a scroll of parchment, as if no one has ever seen one before."
After they left, I hesitated, unsure whether I should also leave.
To be honest, I didn't want to leave. After all the effort to open the box, to be unable to witness its contents at this crucial moment made me feel conflicted.
However, considering the need to avoid any further complications, I decided to step out first.
Just as I was about to leave, Wu Tingxiu suddenly called out to me, "Xiang Fei, you stay."
Hearing her words, my heart leaped with joy. I glanced at Wu Hao beside me.
He frowned, looking at Wu Tingxiu, as if he wanted to say something.
"Second Uncle, Xiang Fei is the person I trust the most. Is it okay for him to stay?" Wu Tingxiu asked.
Although there was a hint of displeasure in Wu Hao's eyes, he didn't say much more. He asked someone to bring him a pair of gloves, took out the parchment scroll, and spread it flat on the table.
The scroll was covered with many patterns and ancient script.
"What is this?" Wu Tingxiu asked, looking at me.
I replied, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a 'Yutu'."
"Yutu?"
I nodded and explained, "Yutu, or ancient maps, the earliest Yutu in our country came from the Qin and Han tombs in Gansu Province, called the 'Map of the Warring States Period from Fangmatan'. It is drawn in great detail."
As I spoke, I carefully examined the Yutu before me, finding the depicted elements too abstract, and the place names unclear.
Wu Tingxiu seemed to notice this problem as well, asking me, "Can you tell what place this map depicts?"
I carefully identified it, finding that the depiction of the terrain and landforms and the text bore no relation whatsoever.
"This map has been encrypted," Wu Hao stated. "And this method of encryption was only used during wartime..."
He spoke vaguely, but his words struck a chord with me.
I examined it carefully and found that it was indeed the case.
After all, for such a precious Yutu, the artist would not have drawn it haphazardly. They must have had a purpose.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been preserved in the Five Elements Twin Dragon Box, nor would it be made of parchment.
It was highly possible that this map contained the location of the Marquis of Sui's Pearl.
Thinking of this, I focused even more intently on the parchment Yutu, wishing I could imprint it directly into my mind.
I missed no detail, and when I had memorized most of it, Wu Tingxiu brought out a camera, which seemed to have been prepared in advance.
Taking the camera, she was about to take a picture when Wu Hao suddenly stopped her, "Hold on!"