"This?" Xiao Wu took out a clean white handkerchief.
“Yes,” I took Xiaowu’s handkerchief, carefully folded it, and put it into the box containing the moon lattice.
Afterwards, Xiao Wu and I plundered the Moon Pearl, Qilin Jade, and Fragrance Pills from another small gang (according to Xiao Wu), as well as some other unknown items, from Old Man Luo's other boxes.
Tonight was very fruitful; I even unexpectedly obtained the Moon Mirror. What a wonderful night!
Next, we'll have to wait and see what Old Man Luo's treasure-appreciation event will be like tomorrow; it's sure to be a spectacular show!
(Dear everyone, I apologize for the slow updates. Please forgive me. I hope you will continue to support me. I will try my best again. Thank you. As always, please recommend this post. Thank you.)
Chapter Sixty-Five
The real show is about to begin.
The following day, people began to check into Luozhuang one after another, and the lobby was bustling with noise and excitement.
But who knows how much filth is mixed in with this bustling scene, such as the desire to compare and the greed for wealth? And who can truly understand why they came here for themselves? Status, profit, power...
Just as I expected, that old man Luo was too busy cleaning up my mess to bother checking the treasures. Perhaps he thought his defenses were strong enough and there was nothing to worry about!
Jue rushed back, but I still didn't ask him where he went, and he didn't say either. Sometimes I just felt empty inside and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. I looked down and saw the moon lattice on my shoulder, and the withered heart of the earth bloomed again.
"Wow, look! Xiao Wu said this is the Moon Window, and it recognizes me as its master!" I smiled, as radiant as a peony.
Jue saw the disappointment in my eyes, and her heart ached, but she still chose to remain silent.
"What's wrong, Jue?" Not hearing Jue's voice, I looked up in confusion.
His deep black eyes stared intently at me, the light shimmering in the darkness indescribable.
"Xue'er" smiled, calling out in a deep and drawn-out voice, then pulled me into a tight embrace, gently rubbing her chin against my hair.
"Jue, what's wrong?" I heard the weariness in Jue's voice and asked anxiously, thinking he was injured.
"No, Xue'er, I will protect you." His words, devoid of emotion, held an unprecedented firmness, allowing me to firmly remember this promise and believe it without a doubt.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, like a ripple on her face, quickly spreading across her cheeks. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the moment.
A cough interrupted us.
Jue let go of me, but her hand was still around my shoulder.
"Young Master Jue, please come to the front hall. The treasure appreciation event is about to begin." It turned out to be Old Man Luo. How tactless of him! Seeing the couple enjoying their time together, he actually dared to interrupt.
"No need" is absolutely decisive and resolute.
"This..." Old Man Luo stood there, unsure whether to go in or say anything, and the scene fell into silence.
"Jue, come on, come with me!" Hearing Jue's refusal made my head start buzzing. No way! I arranged this whole thing to entertain others and make myself happy, and now Jue's one sentence is letting someone else benefit from my performance? What was the point of everything I did last night?! (Author's note: It was useful, he lost face. Zi Xue said: In my eyes, not seeing the show is useless. Author's note: Okay, this person has reached a certain level of unreasonable behavior.)
Jue lowered her head and glanced at me with a smile and affection in her eyes, then brushed past Old Man Luo, leaving Old Man Luo alone there in the cold wind.
I turned around and saw Old Luo's desolate figure, and sighed in my heart; bad people are always easily overlooked. My condolences, Old Luo.
When we reached the lobby, I smiled and released Jue's hand, instead taking his arm.
Jue's arrival brought an instant silence to the hall; you could hear a pin drop.
Without looking at anyone, he took my hand and led me to the seat of honor in the hall.
Noble, domineering, aloof, and proud...
To those seated in the hall, the man possessed an exquisitely handsome appearance. His cold, handsome face was breathtakingly beautiful, and his black eyes were filled with chilling coldness. A snow-white, simply styled robe wrapped around his slender body, making him appear like a beautiful phantom projected by a beam of light, illusory yet real. The jade pendant inlaid beside his jade belt indicated his identity. To his left, he held the hand of a woman in a floor-length brocade dress of moon-white and pale pink, with silver trim on the hem and cuffs. A white gauze sash draped over her shoulders, and when a breeze blew, it gave her an ethereal feel, like a fairy descending to earth. The gauze dress clung to her body, perfectly showcasing her delicate and graceful figure. Her long, fine, black hair often draped over her shoulders, and her smile was like a snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains—elegant, serene, and bringing a warm feeling to those around her, like a spring breeze.
Old Luo's wife sat gracefully in the seat of honor, smiling as she greeted the guests who had come from afar. After a moment of surprise when Jue and I entered, she stood up to greet us.
"Young Master Jue has arrived."
After Madam Luo finished speaking, the people below began to discuss it.
"Why is Young Master Jue here?"
"I've heard that it's quite difficult for the imperial palace to invite Young Master Jue."
"This Lord Luo is truly remarkable; he actually managed to invite Young Master Jue."
Who is that woman?
"I heard from people in the palace that it seems to be Lady Jue."
...
Hearing what the people below had said, Madam Luo felt immensely proud, her innate arrogance shining through. However, upon hearing the latter part, she felt a slight dissatisfaction, though she didn't show it. She said, "Young Master Jue, please, Madam."
Madam Luo wasn't stupid. She knew she couldn't ignore me in this situation. Doing so would only add to her troubles and make Luo Manor a laughing stock in front of outsiders. She also knew very well that the seat of honor should definitely be theirs. Although she was annoyed that the little girl was sitting in the seat of honor, she couldn't make a scene here!
I saw Mrs. Luo's somewhat pale face, and I felt a surge of joy in my heart. Serves you right for always ignoring me.
However, the show had barely begun when her face turned pale. I wonder if she has the guts to accept the gift I'm about to give her. I hope she doesn't get so angry she dies.
I chuckled softly, and Jue Shen gave me a long, deep look that sent a chill down my spine. Could he know my plan?
I behaved well in the palace, so I can certainly do the same in Luozhuang.
The maids brought in tea one after another and placed it on the right side of all the guests before stepping back, while Xiao Wu stayed by my side.
Old Man Luo hurriedly walked in, bowed to everyone, and said, "It is my honor that all you heroes and valiant individuals have come to Luo Manor."
While Old Man Luo was speaking, I glanced around the hall. In front of me was a fighting arena, which would be used when the treasure was presented later. It was magnificent yet noble. On the left and right were some maids and servants, probably to serve the guests. Overall, it looked very grand.
"Alright, I won't say anything more. Let the treasure appreciation event begin." With that, he waved his hand, and a servant brought out the box from the room last night.
Seeing this, I started to laugh inside. Haha, the show is about to get interesting.
Upon hearing the steward's words, "The Beggars' Sect's Evil Jade," he carefully opened the box.
The Beggars' Sect? I'm speechless. So there's a Beggars' Sect here too. I wonder what they look like.
I turned my head and saw the person who stood up and bowed to everyone. His clothes were tattered and patched, and he was holding a stick. Well, overall he did look like a beggar.
After looking at it, he muttered to Jue, "Those Beggar Clan members seem really incompetent."
"Competent?" Jue asked indifferently.
“Well, look, he’s missing a bowl,” I said, pointing to the beggar.
Everyone present was skilled in martial arts, so they naturally overheard my whispers with Jue. Their eyes twitched, and the beggar froze, unsure of what to say, since Jue was protecting him.
"Hey, wow, that man looks really weird, his eyes are triangular."
"Hey, look at that woman's eyes, they seem to be twitching. Why are they always twitching at you?"
"Oh my god, look how funny he is! He's lost two teeth but he still keeps smiling at people."
"Absolutely not..."
"Absolutely..."
Leng Mei and the others really wanted to slap this nagging woman to death, but their master was sitting there, listening to her rambling with amusement. Who would dare to slap her?
Xiao Wu rubbed her forehead. "Miss, this time you've really offended everyone in the martial arts world."
I listened patiently and calmly to everyone present, but we were just one step away from killing that Lady Jue. However, considering that she was a woman, and adhering to the principle that a good man doesn't argue with a woman, we kept our eyes on our treasure.
Then came all sorts of messy gangs, which made me want to fall asleep. Although those treasures were very beautiful, you get tired of seeing them all the time. Try having all that glittering gold shining in front of you all the time, and see if your eyes get tired.
I waited and waited...
Stay tuned for the next episode.
Chapter Sixty-Six
I was drowsy and kept nodding, completely ignoring Xiao Wu's speechless expression.
The solemn hall exuded an air of seriousness, but one could not interrupt the martial arts practitioners below to say a few words.
There were still some soft noises in my ears, but then everyone in the hall gasped, and the hall became as quiet as if no one was there.
Confused, I rubbed my eyes and turned around to see everyone staring in disbelief at the arena. An unknown person stood there with a livid face and a slightly trembling body.
Following their gaze, I looked up and saw an exquisite box on the table displaying the treasures. However, unfortunately, inside the box was a stone that seemed completely out of place. Old Man Luo stared at the stone in astonishment.
I shuddered, my wandering gaze instantly focusing. Stone, and I could think of last night. Thinking of last night, I could think of my plan. Oh haha, the show is about to begin. Luckily, I didn't miss it. I pursed my lips, my eyes crinkling like a cat that had stolen some fish.
The most important thing in life is to be low-key, low-key, and even more low-key. Even if I knew the origin of this stone, I couldn't openly show my schadenfreude. A little hypocrisy is necessary.
"What's wrong?" I tried to act like a curious child.
"What a fine thing you've done," Jue glanced at me lightly, then picked up her teacup and sipped her sweet dew.
I was stunned. It turned out that my curiosity was unnecessary. Look, this is what a smart person is. He judged the enemy to be doomed before the game even started.
I withdrew my wide-eyed gaze, looked at the chaotic scene in the hall, and glanced at Xiao Wu out of the corner of my eye, giving her a glare.
Clearly, the innocent Xiao Wu was truly innocent. What her master needed to know didn't require them, her subordinates, to tell her. Was that ring on her master's neck just for show? The young lady stared at her, utterly bewildered.
"Master Luo, what's going on?" the standing man asked Old Man Luo with sharp eyes.
What happened? I just smashed your luminous pearl! I thought to myself, but kept a calm expression on my face.
But it seems I misjudged. I thought Old Man Luo's things would be taken out first, so last night when I couldn't find anything, I just asked Xiao Wu to throw a stone in. Oh dear, what a pity! (Author's note: What are you pitying about! Zi Xue's words: We had to use that stinky old man as a setup, after all.)
"Chief Xiao, please calm down. I don't know what happened either. Please allow me to ask," Old Man Luo said respectfully, but had already ordered his men to bring up the guards who were protecting the treasure.
"What's going on?" Old Man Luo narrowed his eyes, his face turned cold, and his words made the kneeling guards tremble.
"This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die!" They didn't know what was going on. Completely bewildered, they were brought here to be questioned. How could their precious treasure, which was perfectly fine last night, have turned into stone? Recalling the strange things that had happened a few days ago, they thought to themselves: This Luozhuang is really strange!
"Master wants to know what happened," the butler kindly reminded the guard who was kneeling below, only knowing fear.
"My lord, please understand! We servants never left that room. As for the stone..." The lead guard hesitated, unable to continue. To say he didn't see anyone go in meant he was incompetent, allowing the thieves to succeed. To say he didn't know how it turned into stone meant he was negligent. Either way, it would cost him his life.