On a moonless, windy night, Zhou Yongxiang was called by the shopkeeper for a drink.
However, little did he know it was a trap. Although Zhou Yongxiang sensed something was about to happen, he never expected the shopkeeper to drug his drink and knock him out.
When Zhou Yongxiang woke up again, he found himself in unbearable pain from his lower body. From that moment on, Zhou Yongxiang became an incomplete man.
After the incident, the shopkeeper's daughter was betrothed to a wealthy family, and rumors of Zhou Yongxiang impregnating the shopkeeper's daughter began to spread from that day onward, turning into gossip.
Everyone knew Zhou Yongxiang was an eunuch, and how could an eunuch get someone pregnant? So this could only be a rumor.
On the day the shopkeeper's daughter got married, she slashed her wrists in the sedan chair. It was only when the sedan chair was carried to the groom's house that someone discovered it.
From that day on, Zhou Yongxiang somehow obtained a sum of money, redeemed himself, changed his name, and defected to the largest pawnshop at the time, starting as an apprentice and eventually becoming a renowned appraiser in Jiangdong.
As Zhou Yongxiang recounted his past, I was so shocked my jaw almost dropped.
I never imagined he had such a past he couldn't bear to recall.
No wonder he was so old and had no children; it was for this reason.
I looked at Zhou Yongxiang in silence, not knowing what to say for a moment.
"During the ancient Dian Kingdom period, there was a minority ethnic group with extraordinary medical skills. They could not only treat incurable diseases but also had techniques for restoring the physically deformed…" Zhou Yongxiang said slowly.
Hearing this, I finally understood Zhou Yongxiang's purpose for this trip: he wanted to find that "restoration technique" to mend his defect.
"At my age, I've pretty much come to terms with many things. But…"
He paused at these words, sighing deeply, "But my biggest regret in this life is having no descendants. Although I know everything I'm doing now is absurd, I still want to try if there's even a sliver of hope."
"Old Zhou, I'll do my best in this matter," I said.
"Shopkeeper Xiang, this is my only obsession. I hope you can help me fulfill this wish. Even if the final outcome is in vain, it will at least put my mind at ease…"
With Zhou Yongxiang's earnest pleading, I had no choice but to agree to help him find Yang Hanxue.
"Old Zhou, although I can help you find someone, I must preface this by saying I don't dare guarantee that the person can open this bronze box. You must be prepared," I said.
He cupped his hands, "As long as Shopkeeper Xiang is willing to help me, I am already extremely grateful."
"Alright then, I'll make this trip for you."
That afternoon, we left Shuishu Village. To save time, Zhou Yongxiang and I split up. They returned to Guangling, while Wang Yang and I went to Qinnan.
This was my first time in Qinnan, and I had only heard of this city.
Qinnan belonged to the autonomous region and had developed transportation. It was also a city with a long history, dating back to the Neolithic Age. In the pre-Qin period, it belonged to the Baiyue region. After Qin Shi Huang unified China, it was under the jurisdiction of the Xiang Commandery established by Qin.
During the Han to Jin dynasties, it belonged to Jiaozhou, Hepu Commandery.
It was not far from Guangbei, but it was some distance from Guangling.
When Wang Yang and I arrived in Qinnan, it was evening. We ate something casual at the station and found a hotel to stay in.
Although finding Yang Hanxue only required a phone call, I still chose to come in person. In fact, I had some ulterior motives.
I wanted to take this opportunity to see Zheng Shuxuan.
Wang Yang's organization had reached some kind of agreement with Zheng Shuxuan. I was not clear about the specifics of their situation.
After settling into the hotel, I contacted Yang Hanxue. Upon learning that I had arrived in Qinnan, he came to find me immediately.
Meanwhile, Wang Yang claimed he had some personal matters to attend to and went off on his own.
I didn't ask further, knowing he wouldn't tell me even if I did.
Yang Hanxue drove a Santana to the hotel entrance. As soon as I got in the car, he smiled and asked me why I had come to Qinnan.
I didn't beat around the bush and directly explained the purpose of my trip.
After he listened, he said, "Accompanying you to Guangling to open a lock is no problem, but it will have to be in a few days. The Young Lady has some matters to handle during these days." 138Reading.com
Hearing him mention Zheng Shuxuan, I couldn't help but ask, "Sister Ying... did something happen to Miss Zheng?"
"Nothing has happened, it's just that the Zheng family recently acquired a batch of pottery, and the Young Lady is busy with that batch of pottery every day, so I can't get away. I was able to come out today because I took some time off. After we have dinner, I have to go back to help." Yang Hanxue said.
I knew that the Qinnan region was famous for its Nioxing pottery. In Guangling, Hong Yunpeng had also collected a few pieces of Nioxing pottery, which were still displayed at the Anyuantang shop.
"Brother Yang, is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.
Yang Hanxue smiled, "I knew you would ask. The Young Lady instructed me to entertain you well when I came. She will meet you in a couple of days after she finishes her work. As for helping, there's no need. The Young Lady has taken over the Zheng family's business, and it's still a sensitive period. If outsiders were to intervene rashly, it might be counterproductive. So don't think too much about it. Enjoy yourself here. Once the Young Lady finishes her tasks, I'll accompany you to Guangling."
Hearing him say that, I couldn't say anything more.
In the evening, Yang Hanxue took me to dinner and then drove me back to the hotel.
For the next two days, I basically didn't leave the hotel.
Mainly because the wound on my waist was healing and it was itchy and uncomfortable every day, and also because I was unfamiliar with this place and didn't know where to go.
Wang Yang was basically not in the hotel during the day either. He would only come to chat with me for a while in the evening, and then he would rest in his room.
During this period, I also called Fatty to prepare in advance. Once we resolved Zhou Yongxiang's matter upon returning to Guangling, we would have to head to the Greater Khingan Mountains.
On the third day in Qinnan, I met Zheng Shuxuan.
We met at a teahouse. Yang Hanxue first took me there. After about ten minutes of waiting, Zheng Shuxuan arrived.
Seeing each other again, she hadn't changed at all. When she saw me, a happy smile spread across her face.
"We meet again so soon… Xiaofei."
Zheng Shuxuan was wearing a brown trench coat, a blue-white shirt on top, and a short skirt on the bottom. She looked as youthful and beautiful as ever.