"This is a complete dead end," Liu Zai Xi stated decisively. "From the very beginning, neither Ma Xiu Chuan nor the four great families had good intentions."
I asked, confused, "You mean Ma Xiu Chuan colluded with the four great families to set a trap for your father, with the sole purpose of taking your father's collection?"
Liu Zai Xi nodded. "The title of President of the Ancient Appraisal Association was just a pretense. Their true objective was to plunder my Liu family."
"Do you have any proof?" I inquired.
Liu Zai Xi replied, "Of course! Initially, I believed my father was solely responsible for all of this. But when I discovered our family heirloom had been swapped, I realized it was all a meticulously planned scheme."
"Swapped?"
"After my father passed away, my mother and I depended on each other. We were vulnerable, with no one to rely on. Ma Xiu Chuan found us, mother and daughter, and took meticulous care of us for three years. It wasn't until he learned the whereabouts of the Qianlong Imperial Seal from my mother that he managed to coax her into showing it to him..."
At this point, Liu Zai Xi's expression grew somber.
"How could a woman who knew nothing understand that right under her nose, the person she trusted would swap something the Liu family had desperately protected."
"Is the item your Liu family possessed the real Qianlong Imperial Seal?" I couldn't help but ask the question that was on my mind.
"Of course, it's real."
I gasped. The Qianlong Imperial Seal was no ordinary antique.
During the Boxer Rebellion, it was secretly smuggled out of the Forbidden City, and since then, the Qianlong Imperial Seal had been lost to history.
"This Qianlong Imperial Seal is genuine, the real deal," Liu Zai Xi asserted with certainty.
I wanted to ask why she was so sure, but seeing the hesitation on her face, I knew she wouldn't answer even if I did.
It seemed the Liu family had a significant connection to the disappearance of the Qianlong Imperial Seal back then. What exactly happened remained a secret known only to the Liu family.
"So, the Qianlong Imperial Seal is in the Ma family's possession?" I asked.
Liu Zai Xi replied, "It was, but I'm not too sure about now."
"What do you mean?"
"After Ma Xiu Chuan met his demise, the seal went down with him into the sea."
Confused, she explained, "Ma Xiu Chuan was on a ship with the seal when an accident occurred."
"Why was he taking the seal out to sea?" I asked, bewildered.
Liu Zai Xi sneered, "For what else? It was to take the seal overseas for auction."
Hearing this, I froze for a moment, finding it hard to believe.
I didn't know who Ma Xiu Chuan was, but judging by his son, Ma Xiu Yong, he didn't seem like the type of person to do such a thing.
Smuggling national treasures, what was the difference between that and being a traitor?
After listening to Liu Zai Xi's account, my impression of the four great families had completely changed.
Looking at Liu Zai Xi, I asked, "Is everything you're doing now for revenge?"
She nodded frankly.
"Then, was Yan Hong Guang's accident a natural disaster or man-made?" I asked.
She grinned, "What do you think?"
I took a deep breath, unsure of what to say.
After all, I could understand her actions. Imagine if the person who harmed my father were in front of me; I might have acted even more drastically than she did.
"Don't look at me like that," Liu Zai Xi said. "It wasn't me who tampered with the car; it was his youngest son."
I was startled. She continued, "His youngest son was addicted to gambling. I simply gave him a choice. If he agreed to help me, I would give him a sum of money."
Hearing this, I was immensely shocked. A son killing his father, how heartless must one be to do such a thing?
"Was the newspaper report also your doing?" I asked.
Liu Zai Xi nodded. "Indeed."
I exhaled. "Then, you want the White Dragon Jade Horse to become the President of the Ancient Appraisal Association yourself?"
She chuckled. "I have no interest in that so-called presidency."
"Then what do you want the White Dragon Jade Horse for?" I asked.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that," Liu Zai Xi said. "As long as you give me the White Dragon Jade Horse, I can satisfy whatever you desire."
I smiled. "Really? I'm afraid what I want, you cannot give me."
"Whatever conditions the Yan family has offered you, I can give you double," Liu Zai Xi offered.
I shook my head helplessly. "Actually, my situation is similar to yours, except I wasn't as fortunate."
"What do you mean?" she asked, her brow furrowed.
"At least you know who the person who harmed your father is," I said. "The Yan family's offer is to tell me who harmed my father back then."
She paused upon hearing this. "In that case, does this mean you must side with the Yan family?"
I sighed. "I have no choice."
Liu Zai Xi pursed her lips. "Xiang Fei, I don't want to become your enemy."
I smiled. "I don't want to become your enemy either."
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Alright, I can give up the White Dragon Jade Horse, but you must give me the Water Moon Guanyin."
I blinked. She continued, "I know the Water Moon Guanyin is with you. As long as you give it to me, I won't bother you anymore."
"How do you know the Water Moon Guanyin is with me?" I asked.
She smiled. "What the Yan family can find out, I can also find out."
Hearing this, I gave a wry smile. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I cannot agree to this condition."
Liu Zai Xi's expression changed. "Xiang Fei, you need to think clearly. This is Guangbei."
"I know very well that this is Guangbei, and I'm also aware that it would be easy for you to make a move against me here. But don't forget one thing: your plan hasn't succeeded yet. If I leak any information, all your efforts will be in vain."
I paused and continued, "Also, I don't think you will do anything to me."
Saying this, I chuckled. "I told you before, we are friends. Since we are friends, we should help each other."
My words confused her, and she looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I smiled. "I cannot give you the Water Moon Guanyin right now, but after I've finished my business, I can give it to you. The same applies to the White Dragon Jade Horse. If you consider me a friend and believe my words, you can wait."
The Water Moon Guanyin and the White Dragon Jade Horse are my only bargaining chips. I must use these two items to obtain Yan Hong Guang's notes.
As for the survival of the four great families, frankly, I have no interest in it.
If the Yan family didn't possess the information I sought, I would have no hesitation in siding with Liu Zai Xi.
After all, she had helped me, and she was at least more forthright than the Yan family, telling me everything.
Liu Zai Xi seemed to have seen through my thoughts and smiled. "So, does this mean we are truly friends?"
I smiled back. "Otherwise?"
"Very well, I will await your good news."
With that, we exchanged a smile.