The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 42 The Secret Chamber of the Eldest Branch

Chapter 42 The Secret Chamber of the Eldest Branch

In the small parlor on the third floor of the Third Branch mansion, Ye Baoling showed Ye Yongqi the photos she had taken recently at the art exhibition center.

As she looked through them, Ye Yongqi praised, Sister Ling, your skills are good enough to open a photo studio.

Ye Baoling smiled. I’m glad you like them.

I absolutely love them! Teach me how to do it, and next time I’ll take photos for you. As she spoke, Ye Yongqi stood up and began massaging Ye Baoling’s shoulders. As repayment, I’ll give you a massage.

Despite her usual delicate appearance, Ye Yongqi was surprisingly strong and skilled at massage.

Did you learn this?

From my mom. She often massages my grandmother and dad when she has free time. You don’t need to use much force—just the right technique can make it very comfortable. Then Ye Yongqi added, My brother knows how to do it too. You should ask him to massage you.

Eating grapes, Ye Baoling joked, Forget it. That masseur is too expensive. I can’t afford him.

Ye Yongqi suggested, Make him pay you!

No sooner had she spoken than footsteps sounded behind them. Turning around, she saw her older brother had returned.

Brother, come massage Sister Ling.

Ye Huaizhang would never massage his wife in public.

Ignoring Ye Yongqi, he glanced at the photos on the table. Seeing the bizarre poses, he frowned. What kind of photos are these?!

They’re great! If you can’t appreciate them, just go away! Ye Yongqi complained to her sister-in-law, My brother is getting old. His taste can’t keep up with the times.

Ye Baoling nodded with a smile. True enough.

Ye Huaizhang: …

Sister Ling, when you have time, help my brother improve his taste.

That might be difficult.

Under attack from the sister-in-law duo, Ye Huaizhang launched a verbal counterattack: With the taste that only lets you say ‘very good’ or ‘not bad’ at Grandpa Gong’s calligraphy and painting exhibition? The two of you are just clinging to each other’s worthless treasures.

Ye Yongqi rolled her eyes at her brother, momentarily speechless. She regretted having complained to her family about the calligraphy exhibition incident.

Brother, you have everything except gentlemanly manners! After thinking for a while, Ye Yongqi finally managed to retort.

Ye Huaizhang nodded with a smile. First you say I have no taste, now you say I have everything. Well, sort out your logic before arguing with me, little Ye Yongqi.

Having said that, Ye Huaizhang turned and walked toward the study.

Mocked as a child, Ye Yongqi could only wave her fists in the air, aiming punches at her brother from a distance.

You have neither gentlemanly manners nor taste! Sister Ling, a man like Ye Huaizhang isn’t worth keeping.

Still eating grapes, Ye Baoling nodded with a smile, humoring her. You’re right, he’s not worth keeping.

During their conversation, Yang Pinxian arrived. She held two shopping mall gift cards, giving one to her daughter and one to her daughter-in-law, treating them equally.

If you have free time, go shopping together. Buy whatever you want.

Ye Baoling accepted it with a smile. Thank you, Mom.

Yang Pinxian knew Ye Baoling would move back to the Eldest Branch tomorrow and felt reluctant to see her go.

If you’re not comfortable living there, come back here more often.

It wasn’t very likely.

But Ye Baoling still nodded with a smile. Okay.

Ye Yongqi added, Sister Ling, you should visit more often. Even if my brother isn’t worth keeping, I am!

Yang Pinxian hurriedly chided her daughter, What do you mean your brother can’t have it? Stop talking nonsense!

The three women sat together chatting for a while. Only after Ye Baoling had eaten her fill of grapes did she return to her room.

Back in her room, she replaced the offerings to the Bodhisattva with fresh grapes.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, I won’t be able to change your offerings every day from now on. How about you take a few steps and come to the Old Main House to eat? Alright?

Without waiting for Guanyin Bodhisattva’s response, she made the decision herself, It’s settled then.

She then began packing her clothes. She didn’t have much to bring back to the Old Main House—one suitcase should be enough.

Ye Huaizhang came from the study and saw her humming while packing, looking quite cheerful. He couldn’t help but ask, Where will you stay when you go back? Did the Old Main House prepare a room for you?

Ye Baoling detected the sour note in his tone. I, the eldest young lady of the Ye Family’s Old Main House, can stay wherever I want. I said I wanted to stay in Ye Baoshun’s future wedding room, and he was practically willing to hand it over to me on a silver platter.

Ye Huaizhang looked at his wife. Did you threaten him?

It wasn’t exactly a threat.

But there was that implication.

Ye Baoling shook her head in denial. He volunteered. That’s what makes us the loving Ye family.

If the Old Main House had a WeChat group, that would probably be the group name.

Ye Huaizhang knew her well enough to understand that any room Ye Baoling managed to obtain from Ye Baoshun likely had hidden significance.

He asked, Which room is Ye Baoshun’s wedding room?

Guess.

The study next to the second-floor study in the Hall of Flourishing Harmony?

The birthplace of their love—the big toy and the back of the knee.

Ye Baoling raised her eyebrows, indicating he had guessed correctly.

Indeed!

Ye Huaizhang expressed some concern: If you go in and out of the secret chamber after you return, might your grandfather discover you?

Unless her grandfather installed cameras in the study, it wouldn’t be easy to detect, but no one would install those at home in this era.

Ye Baoling gently shook her head. Although I’m not a professional thief, I shouldn’t be discovered.

Ye Huaizhang reminded her: Be careful about safety. Call me if you need assistance.

Understood.

After packing her clothes, Ye Baoling took out her lock-picking artifact from the wardrobe—a set of picking needles. She rolled them up and placed them in a small cloth pouch.

Ye Huaizhang went out and brought back a mobile phone, handing it to her: If you use the landline to call me from there, it’s easy to be discovered. Use this to contact me directly if anything comes up.

Ye Baoling was disdainful of this brick-like mobile phone, but there really were no better options in this era. She could only accept it and examine it carefully: How do I mute it?

Mute it?

Can’t it be muted?

The concept of muting might not exist yet.

Ye Huaizhang showed her: You can adjust the volume here.

Setting the ringtone volume to the lowest would work too.

Ye Baoling didn’t want anyone in the Old Main House to know she had a mobile phone, so she reminded him: Don’t call me unless it’s important. I don’t want to be discovered.

Ye Huaizhang: …

Did you hear me?

Ye Huaizhang said helplessly: I won’t call you. If anything happens, you call me.

Before going to sleep, he asked her: When will you come back to stay next time?

Not sure. Ye Baoling idly changed TV channels. Anyway, your twice-a-week quota for this week is already used up.

As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Huaizhang wrapped her in the blanket. There’s still one left from last week.

Ye Baoling couldn’t help but laugh. No, the offer expires if not taken.

Are you going to schedule in advance for your period too?

He wouldn’t even let go of the two sessions during her menstrual week. Ye Baoling teased, Are you some kind of slave driver?

What slave driver? He hadn’t heard of the reference. For your period week, we’ll move one session forward and one backward. I’m doing this for your own good.

Calculating the time, her period should have come already. No wonder she was feeling particularly needy. Touching his chest muscles made her want him even more.

Soon enough, he pressed inside.

Another small square wrapper, three more wasted.

One full meal could last a whole week without hunger.

*

Ye Baoling returned to the Oldest Branch Residence around eleven in the morning.

She was immediately summoned to the third floor by the old master.

Seeing his granddaughter enter, Ye Qizu closed the document in his hands and asked, Why aren’t you staying with your parents at Abundant Moon Tower?

Ye Baoling had prepared her excuse in advance. Aunt Jun is about to give birth, right? My grandmother said the fetal spirit is particularly sensitive at this time. If I keep moving in and out, I might disturb it.

That seemed reasonable.

The old master paused briefly. There are plenty of rooms on the second and third floors of Hall of Flourishing Harmony. Why did you specifically choose to stay in Baoshun’s bridal suite?

Baoshun insisted I stay there. I didn’t even know it was his bridal suite until Second Aunt told me. After muttering this, Ye Baoling immediately added, From your tone, Grandpa, it seems Baoshun can live there but I can’t? Fine then, I’ll go pack my things and move out. Second Aunt can find any random room for me. After all, I don’t deserve nice rooms. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just go back to my grandmother’s house.

If this continued, she would start accusing him of favoring boys over girls again.

Ye Qizu glared at his granddaughter. Enough, enough. I never said you couldn’t stay. I say one sentence, and you respond with a whole basketful.

Having nothing more to discuss, Ye Baoling quickly slipped away after getting her way.

Her luggage had already been moved to the second-floor bedroom by the servants.

This bedroom also had a secret chamber connected to the study.

Last time, she and Ye Huaizhang had accidentally discovered the entrance hidden behind the curtains in the study.

Could there be an entrance on the bedroom side too?

This suite was larger than Ye Huaizhang’s room. From the entrance, there was first a sitting area, then a walk-in closet on one side and a bathroom on the other, with the bedroom further inside.

So if there was a secret chamber entrance here, it should be located in the inner bedroom.

Though recently renovated, the suite still used classic Brazilian rosewood wall panels. However, these panels were newly custom-made, making the entire suite appear quite fresh.

After circling the room without finding anything, she first dragged her luggage into the walk-in closet.

Sister Ping entered carrying a small tray of fruits and pastries. Seeing Ye Baoling organizing her clothes, she said, Miss, you can leave that to me.

Ye Baoling replied, No need. There aren’t many clothes. I can manage.

Sister Ping was delighted to return with Ye Baoling.

After all, this was familiar territory where many old servants and colleagues still remained, keeping her well-informed about any happenings.

Sister Ping whispered to Ye Baoling, I heard that woman at Abundant Moon Tower cried from anger when she learned you’re staying at Hall of Flourishing Harmony!

Huh?

Is her acting that good?

Sister Ping fumed indignantly: That shameless old hag, at her age when she should be becoming a grandmother, still dreams of getting pregnant and bearing a son. People say what’s in her belly is a male fetus. Just thinking about it makes me feel heaven has no justice—if she really gets her wish and gives birth to a healthy baby boy… I feel like going to beat the villain figurines!

Ye Baoling quickly cautioned: Sister Ping, don’t speak carelessly outside.

I know, I’m not stupid.

*

Normally, Ye Baoxin would accompany her mother and younger brother for meals at Abundant Moon Tower.

But today’s lunch was Ye Baoling’s first meal since returning, and Second Aunt had specially made a grand occasion of it, sending someone to summon them in advance. Ye Baoxin couldn’t very well not attend.

The main branch of the family had many rules, and seating arrangements during meals were quite particular.

Typically, Ye Qizu would sit at the head of the table, with his two sons on either side, followed by their wives, then the eldest grandson and granddaughter in descending order.

By rights, Ye Baoling should sit beside Zheng Junni, but the original host had never been keen on sitting next to Zheng Junni. Whenever Ye Baoxin took her designated seat, she would actually happily move back one position.

So when Ye Baoxin entered, she naturally went to pull out the chair she usually occupied.

Unexpectedly, Sister Ping calmly yet firmly pressed down on the chairback. Miss Baoxin, this is the eldest young lady’s seat.

Sister Ping pointed to the chair on the right: Your seat is here.

Ye Baoxin’s face instantly flushed red.

Zheng Junni, who entered behind her, knew Sister Ping was an old servant who had served under her mother-in-law. She’d heard before that Sister Ping was difficult to deal with. Being accustomed to playing the virtuous wife and mother, though uncomfortable inside, Zheng Junni immediately smiled to smooth things over: Baoxin pulled the wrong chair.

Ye Baoxin smiled awkwardly, said nothing, and silently pulled out the adjacent chair to sit down.

Liang Meiyun, sitting across from them, couldn’t suppress her smile seeing the mother and daughter being put in their place. Sister Ping served the old madam and knows the rules best.

Just then, Ye Baoling came downstairs. Unlike the original host who would avoid Zheng Junni, she would sit exactly where she was supposed to—right between that mother and daughter, making sure they couldn’t eat in peace.

Only when Ye Qizu came down by elevator did Ye Baoshun yawn his way to the table.

Just getting up now for lunch? Ye Qizu couldn’t help questioning. What have you been busy with lately, Baoshun?

Ye Baoshun made an excuse: I wasn’t feeling well last night and slept very late.

Ye Qizu didn’t believe him but didn’t expose him in front of everyone, only saying: You should take advantage of summer vacation to go train at the company with Uncle Shen.

Ye Kais added: Baoshun, you should listen to Grandfather. In your generation, you’re the only one Grandfather can count on. You need to go to the company early, learn more, train more.

Liang Meiyun deliberately said with sarcasm: Why is Baoshun the only one to count on? Isn’t Baoxin also working at Su Man Jewelry? I heard she received an Excellent++ performance rating, right?

Ye Baoxin modestly smiled: Our whole team got Excellent++, I’m just average.

Zheng Junni, afraid Liang Meiyun’s words would upset Ye Qizu, quickly laughed: How can Baoxin compare with Baoshun? She’s just a girl, she could never measure up.

She didn’t mention Baoxin wasn’t originally surnamed Ye, instead saying she couldn’t compare because she was a girl.

Ye Qizu wasn’t that petty. He picked up his chopsticks and said: Let’s eat.

Everyone began eating.

Ye Baoling looked at the stir-fried squid with celery she disliked and picked up a piece for Baoshun: This is your favorite.

Ye Baoshun graciously accepted it. Thank you, eldest sister.

Watching her son devour the squid and take a big mouthful of rice, Liang Meiyun felt quite pleased. Eat more, you’re too thin.

Ye Baoling nodded. Eat more and exercise regularly to build muscle.

Ye Baoxin couldn’t understand why Ye Baoshun, who usually followed her around like a shadow, had suddenly become so friendly with Ye Baoling. She interjected, Baoshun isn’t thin, but he’s not fat either. His current physique is already quite good.

Not wanting to attract the family’s attention, Ye Baoshun kept his head down and focused on eating without saying a word.

Ye Baoxin’s comment fell flat, leaving her feeling somewhat uncomfortable inside.

But with so many elders present, she couldn’t say much.

Taking advantage of the rare family gathering, Ye Qizu was in a good mood. He said to Ye Baoling, I bought you the car you wanted. Have you test-driven it yet?

I’ll take it for a spin after dinner.

Ye Qizu then asked, Your father mentioned you’re working outside?

Everyone looked over, curious that Ye Baoling had actually taken an outside job.

Ye Baoling replied, Yes, I’m working as a clerk at a foreign trade company.

Ye Qizu didn’t criticize her but simply said, It’s good to go out and see the world. Once you realize how hard it is to earn a salary of three thousand dollars, you’ll understand how many people envy the life you have now.

Hmph.

The original host never enjoyed a good life.

Ye Baoling suddenly asked, Grandpa, you asked Baoshun to work at Ye Qingtang. Why didn’t you ask me to go to Ye Qingtang too?

Ye Qizu was slightly taken aback. The Ye family’s eldest daughter, who only completed Form Four, working at Ye Qingtang? Wouldn’t that embarrass him?

Everyone knew the reason but only exchanged glances, unwilling to say it outright.

Only Ye Kaimin felt compelled to speak up. You only finished Form Four. What could you possibly do at Ye Qingtang? The most important thing for you right now is to get married!

He refrained from mentioning Gong Jiahua’s name.

But speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Just after lunch, Gong Jiahua arrived.

He had heard that Ye Baoling was moving back today and came to invite her to play badminton in the afternoon.

Ye Kaimin offered a misguided suggestion. Jiahua, your timing is perfect. You can accompany Baoling to test-drive her new car. Her grandfather bought it for her, and she hasn’t driven it yet. She’s a new driver who just got her license, so I’m a bit worried about her driving alone. Since you’re here, it works out well.

Gong Jiahua smiled. Sure, I’ll go with Baoling.

Not wanting to upset the old man at this moment, Ye Baoling forced a bright smile. Thank you for the trouble.

No trouble at all.

Seeing this, Ye Baoxin could only manage an awkward smile and said nothing. She excused herself, saying she needed to accompany her mother back to their room, and returned to Abundant Moon Tower first.

Once back, she took down the Peace character hanging in her room, wanting to tear it to shreds but ultimately restraining herself!

She couldn’t understand what Gong Jiahua saw in Ye Baoling!

Aside from that pretty face, she was a woman with no redeeming qualities. Why did she deserve to compete with her?

So, in the end, it all came down to men only caring about looks!!!

She felt both resentful and forced to suppress her feelings.

After much thought, she decided to return to the company and work overtime. Relying on men was unreliable; it was better to rely on herself.

Zheng Junni knew her daughter was unhappy, but she had no energy to deal with it now. Her only focus was on protecting her pregnancy—only by giving birth to a healthy baby boy could she truly change her destiny.

*

Ye Baoling went upstairs to change into a set of clothes and sneakers, then came back down to test-drive the car.

Gong Jiahua stood in front of her new V8 and asked, This V8 should cost around £70,000, right?

Ye Baoling shrugged to indicate she didn’t know.

It should cost an extra 10,000 pounds for upgraded configurations, then it would definitely rank among the top three in Hong Kong.

Ye Baoling didn’t conceal her awkward position in the main family branch: My grandfather buying me this luxury car with the basic configuration is already quite generous. You want upgraded features? How is that possible? Any more upgrades would push the price over a million.

Gong Jiahua regretted making the casual suggestion and quickly said, Actually, this configuration is perfectly sufficient. It’s not like you’re going racing.

They got in the car, with Gong Jiahua taking the passenger seat. He suddenly grew concerned, When did you get your driver’s license?

Ye Baoling teased him: Just recently.

Have you driven before?

Besides the instructor’s car, never driven anything else.

Gong Jiahua’s heart leaped to his throat – this was literally testing the car with their lives!

His hand unconsciously tightened around the overhead handle.

Seeing his frightened yet reluctant-to-admit-it expression, Ye Baoling suppressed a laugh and reminded him: If you’re scared, you can still get out now.

No no no… I’m not scared, I just…

Just a bit nervous, Gong Jiahua laughed: I’m just excited.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Ye Baoling accelerated sharply, startling Gong Jiahua so much he nearly screamed.

With many pedestrians on the street, Ye Baoling suggested going for a drive in the mountains instead.

To the mountains?

Silver Snake Mountain.

Better not, the mountain roads are narrow and small, not suitable for beginners.

That’s exactly why it’s perfect for beginners – no one goes there. After saying this, she turned toward the back mountain.

At the entrance of Silver Snake Mountain stood a large warning sign reminding visitors of venomous snakes in the area, which explained why few people ever came here.

There was only one very narrow dirt road on the mountain, rocky and steep.

Ye Baoling drove at a considerable speed, scaring half the courage out of Gong Jiahua. He gripped the handrail tightly, constantly reminding her: Bao Ling, slow down… slow down…

Relax, it’s safe. I’m not speeding.

If Ye Baoling were an experienced driver he wouldn’t worry, but she was a beginner – he couldn’t convince himself to relax.

He couldn’t help but keep warning: Slow down… slow down… curve ahead…

Gong Jiahua spent the entire ride nervously accompanying Ye Baoling around the mountain.

When they returned to the garage, his palms were sweaty and his legs trembled uncontrollably.

Ye Baoling asked him: Still dare to ride with me next time?

Gong Jiahua gave a thumbs-up against his better judgment, Smooth driving!

Ye Baoling couldn’t help laughing, Hey. Let’s be honest – we’re not compatible. I have a boyfriend.

Gong Jiahua smiled and waved his finger, No you don’t. I’ve thought about it carefully, and through my connections, I got accurate information. You don’t just lack a boyfriend – you’ve never even dated.

Gong Jiahua continued: Were you driving so fast just now to test my courage and bravery? Don’t worry, I can definitely pass any test.

As he said this, he happened to be getting out of the car and nearly lost his balance.

Ye Baoling looked at him speechlessly. This guy simply didn’t understand plain talk, making her both annoyed and amused.

No, she needed to find a way to make him back off.

That afternoon, Ye Baoling didn’t go anywhere, staying in her bedroom searching for whether there was an entrance to the secret chamber next door.

The bedroom had a simple layout: just a bed with nightstands on either side, and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf by the window. Since no one had lived here before, the bookshelf was completely empty—no books, no trinkets, and no suspicious devices.

At the foot of the bed stood an ottoman, and beyond it, next to the window, was a chaise lounge.

After searching around, she found nothing.

That evening, she wandered around the mansion. Using the excuse of borrowing books from her second uncle, she entered the adjacent study and picked up two novels. Afterwards, she settled in the sitting area of her bedroom.

Quietly, she listened for any movement outside.

On the other side of the study was a small sitting room, beyond which lay her second uncle and aunt’s bedroom, and further along, a gymnasium.

The opposite end housed a table tennis room, several guest rooms, and Ye Baoshun’s bedroom.

This floor had a large floor area, but normally only her second uncle’s family of three lived here. Now with her addition, there were just four occupants.

Therefore, during bedtime hours when the servants didn’t come upstairs, the exterior would fall silent, making any sound in the corridor particularly conspicuous.

On the first day, she restrained herself from taking action.

There was no need to rush—she wanted to familiarize herself with the situation before making a move.

On the second day, she visited Orchid Pavilion Residence to play with Le Qiong and her sisters. The girls went shopping and didn’t return until evening.

After dinner, Ye Baoling dozed for a few hours. When she woke, it was already 10 p.m.

Holding a handful of sunflower seeds, she wandered outside to gauge the movements of the family on the second floor. Then she settled in the sitting area, reading a book while listening for any activity outside.

Around 11 p.m., Ye Baoshun went out.

By 11:30, her second uncle had returned to his room.

As for her aunt, she had been watching TV in her bedroom since dinner and hadn’t emerged.

Ye Baoling waited until 12:30 a.m. before putting on her sneakers, pocketing a flashlight, a small knife, and a lock-picking needle, and quietly slipping out.

She had carefully observed the lock on the adjacent study door when she entered yesterday—it was an ordinary lock that she could quickly open with a No. 3 picking needle.

Unlocking the door and stepping into the dark, she recognized the familiar surroundings where she and Ye Huaizhang had once spent time together.

Skirting the sofa, she moved to the corner by the window. Crouching where the curtain recessed, she pressed a switch, opened the secret chamber door, and bent down to enter.

As she stepped into the narrow, elongated chamber, memories of pain in the back of her knees rushed back.

Shaking off the chaotic images in her mind, she shone her flashlight along the wooden shelves on both sides.

The shelves reached the ceiling, adorned with numerous small ornaments. She tested each one, but none triggered any response.

The wall paneling here matched that outside, unlike the steel plate with black-and-white keys in the secret chamber of the third branch’s old residence. She was fairly certain this chamber contained no safe.

Now, her task was to search for a staircase descending beneath the floor.

She tried forcefully pulling the partitions between the wooden shelves. If the structure of the old main branch resembled that of the third branch, the mechanisms should be similar.

Working her way inward from the entrance, she tested each partition. Nearing the middle, one suddenly gave way.

Click…

A familiar sound echoed from beneath her feet.

Suppressing her exhilaration, Ye Baoling directed her flashlight toward the corner of the wall, illuminating a crack.

Lifting a half-square-meter section of the floor, she revealed a pitch-black staircase.

She had speculated she might make a discovery today, but when she actually found the stairway entrance, she clenched her fists in excitement and allowed herself a small, quiet celebration.

The layout was essentially identical to that in Ye Huaizhang’s bedroom.

However, the last time she discovered an underground staircase, fear had been her dominant emotion. Today was entirely different—she was thrilled.

Holding the flashlight, she descended. The stairs here were relatively wider, making the descent less cramped. Since this was the second floor, going down one level would lead to the basement.

If the structures on both sides were truly identical, there should be a large iron door on the third underground level.

The staircase gradually widened. As she turned onto the third underground level, a spacious cellar unfolded before her.

There was no door to this cellar.

No lock to pick!!

How convenient.

The flashlight beam swept downward from above, revealing rows upon rows of towering wooden racks shrouded in darkness below.

The small circular patterns on the wooden frames stared back at her like countless eyes.

Ye Baoling shuddered, silently reciting Amitabha Buddha in her heart…

Ye Huaizhang had once told her that this place remained pitch black regardless of whether one came down during daytime or nighttime.

But actually, there was a difference.

Coming down during daylight hours made her feel much more at ease.

Because deep down, she held the belief that ghosts wouldn’t appear during the day.

But now it was nighttime, and she was alone here – naturally, she felt somewhat frightened.

Holding the flashlight, she stepped onto the wine cellar floor and carefully scanned the area. The wine racks were identical to those in the Old Third Wing, though the wines they held were different.

Hundreds of red wine bottles here were all produced in 1946 by Chateau Ausone from France.

Same vintage, different wineries.

After circling the wine cellar twice, she could basically confirm that not a single bottle was missing from these racks – unlike the other place where two bottles had disappeared.

She carefully counted – there were also twelve red wine racks here. Could they also follow the decryption method of the Fu Xi Eight Trigrams diagram?

With her experience from the other location, she no longer needed to move the wine racks to locate the key floor tiles.

She tried using the password from the Old Third Wing to decrypt the mechanism, but after three attempts, nothing happened.

Was the switch here not based on the Fu Xi Eight Trigrams diagram?

Seeing that it was almost 2 AM and she still had work tomorrow, Ye Baoling didn’t linger any longer.

Back in her bedroom lying in bed, she wanted to call Ye Huaizhang, but it was too late, so she ultimately resisted the urge.

The next morning, as soon as she woke up, she dialed his number.

The phone rang three times before he answered.

Deliberately pitching her voice higher, she called out: Husband, good morning! Time to get up.

Ye Huaizhang, who had just finished brushing his teeth and was changing clothes, had been waiting for his wife’s call for two days.

Hearing Ye Baoling’s voice, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted, I’ve been up for half an hour. So, any new discoveries?