I Became a Sugar Mama to an Ancient General during a Famine! - Chapter 8 Part 2

Upon exiting, Ye Mumu staggered, her body swaying uncontrollably. Overwhelmed by dizziness and nausea, she vomited several times.

The medical examination revealed a severe concussion with persistent dizziness and vomiting, already classified as a minor injury.

Determined, she photographed the medical report, carefully obscuring her name, and sent it to a local journalist known for fearlessly confronting the powerful. This was a significant scoop: Wang Chang International’s owner had brazenly kidnapped a young woman in broad daylight, forcibly taking her to his home.

She provided precise details – location, time, and the existence of surveillance footage as irrefutable evidence. In a city center teeming with security cameras, a cursory investigation would easily corroborate her claims.

After recording her statement, Ye Mumu wasted no time. She drove straight to the local street renowned for its antique and curio shops. Despite her limited knowledge of antiques, she methodically inspected each store, evaluating their scale, financial standing, and the perceived expertise of their owners.

In an unassuming corner shop, she spotted an elderly man wearing reading glasses, engrossed in his newspaper. As she entered, he briefly glanced up before calmly returning to his reading. Ye Mumu’s gaze settled on the sole piece of jewelry adorning the shelf.

“Caught your eye, has it?” the old man inquired.

Ye Mumu shook her head. “The style is undoubtedly ancient, but the material isn’t gold. Yet, it bears an uncanny resemblance to an authentic piece.”

Intrigued by her observation, the old man set aside his newspaper. “How can you tell?” he asked, his interest piqued.

Keeping her own similar possession a secret, Ye Mumu sat across from him. “Do you purchase antiques here?”

Adjusting his glasses, the old man replied, “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Ye Mumu produced a small, unassuming box and slid it across the table. The old man’s initial disappointment at the modern container vanished the moment he opened it. Inside lay a gem-encrusted, three-legged wine goblet that instantly widened his eyes.

With trembling fingers, he gently lifted the artifact, meticulously examining its base, the intricate coiled dragon patterns, and the quality of both gold and gemstones. His excitement grew palpable with each passing moment.

“This… this is over two millennia old! An extraordinary find! Even our most prestigious museums lack such a piece,” he exclaimed. “From this era, unearthed wine vessels are typically bronze, porcelain, or iron. This golden goblet, with its filigree and openwork inlay, is unprecedented.”

His voice rose in fervor as he continued, “And look! There’s an inscription: ‘For Imperial Use of the Great Qi.’ The Great Qi Dynasty! It actually existed!”

Ye Mumu’s heart clenched. “How long did this dynasty last?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s not recorded in official histories, but unofficial histories mention it. The Great Qi Dynasty only existed for fifty years.”

Her mind raced. Fifty years? Did the Marquis of Ningguan truly die? And did those hundred thousand soldiers all perish in battle?

She became even more eager to know and quickly asked the old man, “How much is the wine goblet worth?”

The old man raised two fingers.

Ye Mumu asked, “Two million?”

The old man shook his head.

“Twenty million?”

The old man shook his head again.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Two hundred million!!!”

The old man nodded with a smile. “Two hundred million is a conservative estimate. No antiques from Great Qi Dynasty have appeared in the country yet. Unofficial history records that this Dynasty perished due to natural disasters, man-made calamities, wars, and internal strife.”

“Great Qi once had a general comparable to the renowned General Huo Qubing. The unofficial histories describe Great Qi in derogatory terms: treacherous officials in power, puppet emperors, droughts, and suffering among the people!”

“But the general is described with admiration, likened to a heavenly dragon!”

“What was the general’s name?” Ye Mumu pressed.

“Zhan Chengyin. He was granted a noble title and appointed as a minister at the age of twenty, bestowed the title of First-Class Marquis of Ningguan. He died at just twenty-one, and shortly after his death, the Great Qi Dynasty fell!”

The revelation hit Ye Mumu like a physical blow. Her phone clattered onto the wooden table as realization dawned. Lord Ningguan – the very being who had called her a god, communicated with her, bestowed upon her a fortune in gold – was none other than Zhan Chengyin.