The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 65 Underground Bronze Door

Chapter 65 Underground Bronze Door

Ye Qizu was deeply frustrated after failing to acquire Ye Qingtang’s shares from the Second Branch as intended.

Every transaction allows room for negotiation. How could the Second Branch disregard all norms and sell the shares to an outsider like that?

Ye Kais sighed helplessly, I made an offer right after market close. They said they’d consider it, but when I called back later, they claimed they needed immediate funds and had already sold to another party who offered a higher price.

Ye Qizu remained furious, Who did they sell to?

The Second Branch refused to disclose that.

The realization that his market manipulation had ultimately depressed his own stock price only to benefit someone else made his blood boil! All his scheming had merely paved the way for another’s gain!

How infuriating!

Ye Qizu could only vent by calling his sons useless. You can’t even properly acquire shares from our own clan members. I should have handled the negotiations myself from the beginning.

But what’s done was done. He had no choice but to change tactics and quickly arrange a press conference to stabilize Ye Qingtang’s stock price.

At the next day’s press conference, besides presenting the company’s healthy financial statements, Ye Qingtang jointly with other listed companies exposed widespread corruption within the Stock Exchange management team led by Lü Dexiang…

Subsequently, Lü Dexiang was taken away by the ICAC.

Ye Qingtang’s stock price soared.

Driving home, Ye Baoling listened to the news broadcast with a satisfied smile curling at her lips.

Her objectives had been largely achieved—the stock market battle had concluded perfectly.

*

Ye Baoxin, who had rarely left work early, was in her mother’s room examining photos taken by a private investigator.

Her suspicions were confirmed—Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang were indeed involved in an improper relationship.

Zheng Junni couldn’t conceal her delight. Who would have thought that Ye Baoling, who always seemed more virtuous than anyone, would turn out to be the wildest player? Dating two men simultaneously—a poor boy next door and a wealthy clansman? Who could match her audacity?

Ye Baoxin returned the photos to their envelope. What do you plan to do now, Mother?

Holding such valuable cards but being unable to play them was Zheng Junni’s greatest frustration.

We don’t know how far Ye Baoling has progressed in investigating Ye Baoshun’s media leaks. If she’s truly capable enough to trace it back to me, we can easily control her with just one of these photos. If she hasn’t discovered my involvement, I’ll find an opportunity to crush her completely.

Never to rise again!

Just envisioning this brought Zheng Junni immense satisfaction—both of Ye family’s foolish siblings would ultimately fall by her hand.

Ye Baoxin advised caution, Controlling Ye Baoling should be sufficient. If we expose this, wouldn’t we offend Ye Huaizhang as well?

Don’t be naive! If Ye Huaizhang learns she’s two-timing him, he’d thank me for revealing it. Besides, our Oldest Branch doesn’t need anything from his Third Branch. Why should I fear offending him?

Still, having more friends is better than more enemies. If you expose Ye Baoling, Ye Huaizhang would also lose face. From his perspective, he might not genuinely appreciate your revelation.

Zheng Junni massaged her temples. Her earlier triumphant outburst was merely momentary gratification—when the time came for action, she would certainly proceed with caution.

Let’s first see whether Ye Baoling will be foolish enough to come charging at us. We’ll decide then. Some things don’t necessarily require our direct involvement.

The sound of Ye Kaimin’s voice came from outside. Zheng Junni quickly locked the envelope containing the photos in a drawer, while Ye Baoxin stepped out first.

Ye Kaimin entered from outside. His spirits had improved significantly compared to during the stock market crash. He had accepted the fact of losing money and could only wait for the market to slowly recover.

Noticing his index finger was stained red, seemingly with ink paste, Zheng Junni couldn’t help but ask, What have you been doing? Did you stamp your fingerprint?

The old man brought a lawyer and asked me to transfer two of the Huayang Street shops to Baoling…

Before he could finish, she exploded.

How could you make such a decision without discussing it with me first?

Ye Kaimin glared at his wife. Why should I discuss my street-front shops with you?

I’ve always been the one collecting the rents.

Ever since giving birth to their son, she had completely stopped hiding her temper.

At first, it was tolerable, but over time, Ye Kaimin found it hard to bear. How long has it been since you left confinement? Why is your temper still like this! Let me tell you, Zheng Junni, I’m the one who calls the shots in this family. The old man gives me grief, and now you come home and give me grief too. What? Am I easy to bully?

Zheng Junni couldn’t help feeling wronged. I’ve spent my whole life being subservient to you. Do I not even have the right to speak normally now? I’ve always collected the rent for those street-front shops—can’t I even ask about them? Besides, how much did Ye Baoling lose? Does she need two street-front shops to make up for it?

Ye Kaimin softened his tone slightly. The old man said to consider it her dowry.

Is she getting married? Zheng Junni was quite surprised.

We’re giving it to her in advance.

What if she never gets married?

What’s the use of arguing with me? If you have the nerve, go argue with the old man!

Seeing that Ye Kaimin was fuming, Zheng Junni didn’t dare provoke him further. After thinking it over, she decided to approach the old man herself.

After coming down from Abundant Moon Tower, Zheng Junni made a special trip to the kitchen and then brought a bowl of deer antler slice and sea coconut chicken soup up to the third floor of the Hall of Flourishing Harmony.

The old man was listening to the radio at the time. Ye Qingtang’s stock price had surged today, so he was in a rather good mood.

Dad, I’ve brought today’s soup up for you.

Ye Qizu glanced up at Zheng Junni but didn’t ask why she was the one delivering the soup. He simply said, Leave it there. I’ll drink it later.

After setting down the soup bowl, Zheng Junni stood nearby and said softly, Dad, Kaimin just came back and told me that the two Huayang Street shops near Huanzhong Road are to be transferred to Baoling as her dowry…

Ye Qizu glanced at her sideways. Do you have an objection?

Zheng Junni grew nervous. Of course not. I’ve always treated Baoling as my own daughter. If it’s a dowry, two street-front shops definitely aren’t enough. But isn’t it a bit early to give them to her now? I’m just afraid that with more money in her hands, she might spend recklessly and become even more restless. I’ve heard she’s been quite… wild lately.

Wild how?

Zheng Junni hesitated again. Well… she’s been quite the partygoer. Otherwise, why would she reject so many matchmaking introductions?

Ye Qizu fell silent.

Zheng Junni quickly added, I think we can discuss the dowry later. If she really gets married, we’ll prepare it properly and definitely won’t disgrace our Oldest Branch. For now, Dad, you should hold onto the property. I’m not saying we want to take it back—just keep it with you until Bao Ling gets married before giving it to her. This is for her own good. After all, I’m not her biological mother, and she won’t listen to me anyway.

With the property in the old man’s hands, at least she could still collect the rent. If Ye Baoling’s affairs were ever exposed, she could have Ye Kaimin retrieve it from the old man later.

Alright, I understand. Ye Qizu disliked lengthy conversations with his daughter-in-law. You may go now.

Hearing the old man’s tone, it seemed he had taken her words to heart. Zheng Junni smiled and reminded him, I’ll head back now, Dad. Don’t forget to drink the soup before it gets cold.

Outside the door, Liang Meiyun, hearing Zheng Junni approaching, quickly ducked into the adjacent room.

She had suspected something was up when she heard Zheng Junni went to the kitchen to fetch soup for the old man, which was why she had followed her.

Just as she thought!

After Zheng Junni left, she emerged and headed downstairs, just bumping into Ye Baoling returning from work.

She urgently said, Bao Ling, I need to tell you something.

Ye Baoling smiled and asked, What is it, Second Aunt?

Let’s talk in your room.

Once inside, before even sitting down, Liang Meiyun recounted everything she had just overheard in detail.

Just for the rent from two Street-front shops, she dares to falsely accuse you of fooling around outside. That’s what a stepmother is! A smiling tiger that bites you behind your back. First, she went after our Baoshun, and now she’s targeting you.

Ye Baoling knew her second aunt was trying to win her over, so she immediately nodded in agreement, I’ve always known she’s not a good person. In the past, when she bought me clothes, they were indeed name brands, but few were wearable—she deliberately picked the ugliest and most outrageous ones for me.

That woman is truly sinister. Liang Meiyun sighed and asked her, How’s the investigation into the tip-off going?

I’ve pretty much confirmed the phone number used for the tip-off was from a small convenience store. But it’s not one near us—it’s far away, in the Northern District.

Liang Meiyun was somewhat disappointed, A Jin went all the way to the Northern District just to make that call?

Ye Baoling: But there’s a curious coincidence: that convenience store is very close to ‘Lin’s Hardware Store.’

Liang Meiyun didn’t understand, What ‘Lin’s Hardware Store’?

Do you remember A Feng? The one who previously accused me of being a lesbian.

I remember. Zheng Junni’s distant relative who came to take care of her for several months.

Ye Baoling: Lin’s Hardware Store is run by A Feng’s family. She lives there.

Liang Meiyun instantly understood, It wasn’t A Jin who made the call—it was A Feng! Zheng Junni had A Feng do it!

Most likely. But we don’t have direct evidence. With just this, she won’t admit it. Ye Baoling said helplessly, I’m stuck at this point.

You’ve done remarkably well to uncover this much. As she spoke, Liang Meiyun lowered her voice mysteriously, There’s something I want to tell you too.

What is it?

I suspect Ye Baoxian isn’t actually a blood descendant of our Ye family.

Ye Baoling thought to herself, Second Aunt, you’re finally catching on!

Outwardly, she feigned surprise, What do you mean?

Intuition! This Ye Baoxian doesn’t resemble anyone. I suspect Zheng Junni was never pregnant at all – this child was bought by her. Why would she choose such a dilapidated hospital to give birth? To fake the delivery, of course. If she had delivered at the Love and Harmony Hospital under the second branch family, would she have had the opportunity to pull off this deception? Absolutely not. Liang Meiyun reminded her, Do you remember? That day at the hospital, you mentioned running into that A Feng, but A Feng never actually appeared in Zheng Junni’s hospital room. Why? Because she was specifically tasked with swapping the children.

Though there were still minor judgment errors, the general direction was correct.

Ye Baoling pretended to have a sudden realization: Second Aunt, now that you mention it, everything seems to fall into place.

Right? This woman has deceived your father! Deceived everyone. The only reason she could marry your father was because of that supposed pregnancy! After saying this, Liang Meiyun added, I’ve been thinking about this constantly these past couple days, but given our current conflict, I have no chance to get close to Ye Baoxian. Arranging a parentage test has become quite challenging. But you’re different – no matter what, you’re still his sister…

Ye Baoling said, She’s wary of me too, and anyone around me.

Liang Meiyun had already carefully considered all possible candidates around them and immediately suggested: What about Ye Leyan? She has a good temperament and is friendly to everyone. Zheng Junni definitely wouldn’t be suspicious of Ye Leyan. You and Leyan are so close – if you ask her to handle it, it should work.

This wasn’t something Ye Baoling wanted to involve Ye Leyan in, as she had other methods. After a brief contemplation, she said, Let me think about how to handle this.

Seeing Ye Baoling agree, Liang Meiyun – finally having found an ally – nodded with relief. This time, they would surely be able to take down Zheng Junni.

They didn’t need explicit division of labor. Ye Baoling could basically confirm that she would gather the evidence, while Liang Meiyun would undoubtedly take charge of pushing forward.

Shui Gou had been located in Thailand.

This was the news Xiao Dahai brought back.

Ye Huaizhang, who had just finished playing golf with friends and was preparing for another round, stopped in his tracks and asked: Who found him?

Xiao Dahai: Lai Yaoming. He’s fighting desperately to save his own life too.

Are we certain it’s Shui Gou?

Positive. He admitted to paying 50,000 to bribe the minibus driver to crash into your car.

Where is he now?

Locked up at the abandoned site. Do you want to go see him now, Young Master?

Ye Huaizhang wasn’t in a hurry: Wait until I finish this round.

Two hours later, in a small building at the abandoned site, Ye Huaizhang finally met the Vietnamese man Shui Gou whom they had been searching for over four months.

True to his name, Shui Gou was thin and pale, resembling a hairless dog.

He was tied to a pillar, face covered in blood, with tape over his mouth.

Shui Gou stared dazedly at the man walking in – tall and slender, with an indifferent expression showing little emotion.

He recognized him – this was the Ye family’s eldest young master, Ye Huaizhang.

Someone pulled over a chair for Ye Huaizhang to sit.

At a glance from Xiao Dahai, the local site manager stepped forward to warn Shui Gou: Don’t make any noise, or I’ll put a bullet through you.

When the tape was torn off, Shui Gou’s lips stung from the removal. Enduring the pain, he asked: Can I have some water?

Xiao Dahai glanced at Ye Huaizhang, then ordered: Give him water.

A underling brought in bottled water and poured most of it into Shui Gou’s mouth.

The room fell silent as Xiao Dahai gestured for all other unnecessary personnel to leave.

Ye Huaizhang stared at Shui Gou without uttering a word.

Xiao Dahai demanded, Speak. Who sent you?

Shui Gou tried to negotiate: If I tell the truth, will you let me go?

Before he finished speaking, the gang leader slapped him across the face. Who gave you the right to bargain and talk back here, you motherfucker! You have two sons still in school, don’t you? Answer properly or I’ll kill your whole family! I’ll make your entire clan rich in the afterlife!

Shui Gou’s head rang from the slap, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He wasn’t afraid of pain, but he feared retaliation against his family – these gangsters were capable of anything.

He didn’t dare talk back anymore.

Xiao Dahai warned him: Only by answering properly will you have a way out. If you don’t, there’s definitely none. Speak, who exactly sent you?

Only then did Shui Gou say: It was a woman. She contacted me through a Vietnamese acquaintance of mine, gave me 150,000 to kill Young Master Ye Huaizhang. She promised another 150,000 after the job was done.

Xiao Dahai: What did this woman look like?

Shui Gou: Forty or fifty years old, wearing a brown cheongsam, hair tied up in a bun, somewhat square face, ordinary appearance, nothing distinctive. Dressed quite wealthy.

Do you know her surname?

No. My fellow villager called me and said she’s called Auntie Mei.

Where did you meet?

At Chaoxing Noodle Restaurant in the North District. She said if the job succeeded, I should wait for her call at Chaoxing Noodle Restaurant at 8 PM. Later when things failed, I didn’t go and ran away.

Xiao Dahai asked further: On the day of the incident, how did you know our Young Master would be dining at Royal Gate Hotel?

That morning, Auntie Mei sent me the information via pager.

Ye Huaizhang gestured for Dong Jian to come over and spoke a few words to him. Dong Jian had already prepared – he went to the car and brought back a photo album.

The album contained photos of almost everyone from the Third Branch, including family relatives and previously employed servants.

Dong Jian took out all photos matching the age group from the album and showed them to Shui Gou for identification. As they went through the photos one by one, Shui Gou shook his head indicating none were Auntie Mei.

After another ten-plus minutes of interrogation, Ye Huaizhang knew there would be no further results. He stood up and left first.

Although they had obtained new information, they faced a new puzzle.

Previously they were looking for Shui Gou, now they needed to find Auntie Mei – at least it was progress.

Returning home, Ye Huaizhang sat in his study spacing out for a while.

Sometimes thinking about nothing, just emptying his mind, sitting quietly and slowly relaxing – within half an hour at most, he could completely recharge himself.

After dinner, Ye Baoling received a call from Lisa.

Lisa asked about the Witch Doctor’s preferences. What gifts should I buy for her that would be appropriate?

Ye Baoling had already made arrangements with Granny Tong in advance. She said: Granny Tong likes money! I’ll prepare red envelopes for you. You just need to make a gesture, give some incense money.

How much is ‘making a gesture’?

Whatever you want, no fixed amount. Like us, we usually give a few hundred or thousand, it’s up to you.

US dollars or Hong Kong dollars?

If you want to earn US dollars, give US dollars. If you want to earn Hong Kong dollars, give Hong Kong dollars.

Lisa understood – she would definitely give US dollars.

Just before hanging up, Lisa reminded Ye Baoling: Daniel’s team is discussing coming to your company to negotiate cooperation. Be prepared—they drive a very hard bargain when it comes to pricing.

Ye Baoling and her colleagues had thoroughly researched L&D, and she had a general understanding of Daniel’s working style.

He was a cunning, stingy, and ruthless negotiator—a regular Scrooge.

Ye Baoling intentionally leaked some information: Another team in our company has also reached out to L&D’s competitor. We hope L&D won’t push too hard on pricing so that our team can come out on top. We can win this.

Lisa tried to probe about which competitor it was, but Ye Baoling skillfully dodged the question.

After hanging up, Ye Baoling took a walk outside before returning, locking the door, and descending into the tunnel to visit Ye Huaizhang in the Third Branch.

The shares purchased by the Second Branch had been initially covered by Ye Huaizhang, and she wanted to repay him first.

Ye Huaizhang came to the wine cellar to meet her. In such a hurry to pay me back?

I don’t like owing people money.

Ye Huaizhang paused mid-step. Am I just ‘people’?

You’re not just people, she said with a laugh. In that case, can I not pay you back?

Ye Huaizhang chuckled. Sure, if you give me the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

Ye Baoling replied, I’m not falling for that. Without a payment record, those 4.3% shares of Ye Qingtang from the Second Branch would end up being yours.

The agreement was signed under your company’s name. How could they become mine?

The steps here were quite narrow, and as he followed behind with a flashlight, he couldn’t help but remind her, Watch your step.

Back in the dressing room, Ye Baoling made her usual bow to Guanyin.

Seeing her demeanor, Ye Huaizhang didn’t think she seemed like someone who truly believed in deities. He asked, Do you actually believe, or is it just for show?

Ye Baoling smiled. I believe in whatever benefits me. If it doesn’t, then I don’t bother. But when I make wishes, they’re always for my benefit. So yes, I believe.

Brilliant logic.

Back in the bedroom, she handed him a check. Remember to deposit it.

Ye Huaizhang placed the check in his desk drawer.

Ye Baoling noticed the desk was covered in photos and leaned in for a closer look. What are these?

Upon closer inspection, they were all pictures of the blue brick walls and floors inside the Blue Brick Tunnel.

Did you take these in the Blue Brick Tunnel?

He nodded. Under Silver Snake Mountain, near where we suspect there’s a door. I photographed the surrounding environment.

He wanted to study how to unlock the door.

Ye Baoling stood and looked for a while. The photos were almost identical, making her eyes blur. Any leads?

Just now, I noticed there are two shades of blue bricks. Most are dark gray, but a few are slightly lighter. It’s hard to tell with the naked eye, but the photos make it easier to distinguish. He pointed them out in the pictures.

Even in the photos, it was quite difficult to identify. Ye Baoling asked, Could the lighter gray bricks be the key to opening the door?

Possibly. I’m thinking this Blue Brick Tunnel must be a complete structure. Shouldn’t the code to open the door be consistent as well?

Ye Baoling nodded. It should be. In the Fuxi Bagua Diagram, aren’t there two Trigrams still unused? The Oldest Branch used Qian 1 and Dui 2, the Third Branch used Xun 5 and Kan 6. If the Second Branch has a cellar, that would be 3 and 4. Could the remaining 7 and 8 be the code to open the door under Silver Snake Mountain?

Gen Seven and Kun Eight. Ye Huaizhang looked at the photos on the table, which he hadn’t been able to match earlier.

He suddenly remembered: No, the Kun Eight trigram was already used in the Oldest Branch wine cellar.

Ye Baoling also recalled: It was swapped with the ‘Qian One’ trigram. Then the ones at Silver Snake Mountain might be Qian One and Gen Seven?

Ye Huaizhang moved the photo from the lower left corner of the table upward, Seems like that’s really it.

Both husband and wife were people of action. They immediately gathered their tools, entered the tunnel, and headed toward Silver Snake Mountain.

Arriving at the base of Silver Snake Mountain, where they previously suspected there was a brick door, Ye Huaizhang had left half a brick as a marker. The two stopped.

The color shades of the bricks on either side of the suspected brick door location were almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.

After comparing with the photos, Ye Huaizhang identified the position of the lighter-colored bricks and marked it with chalk.

He waved the flashlight: Three columns on the left with six light-colored blue bricks connected without an opening—that’s Qian One.

The flashlight shifted to the right. Three columns on the right with six light-colored blue bricks have two openings—should be Gen Seven.

They found the positions, but how to press them?

They tried from left to right—no response.

Ye Huaizhang immediately judged: Should press Gen Seven on the right first, then Qian One on the left, because ‘Qian One’ replaces ‘Kun Eight’.

Makes sense.

They reversed the order, pressing from bottom to top, left to right.

When the last blue brick was pressed hard, the light-colored brick recessed inward.

Immediately, subtle cracks appeared along the doorframe they’d identified earlier!

Ye Baoling cheered: It worked!

They pushed hard against the blue brick door. Fortunately, unlike the wine cellar’s brick door, this one opened toward the mountain.

The blue brick door slowly opened, revealing a dark, seemingly small space.

Their flashlights swept inside, illuminating walls covered with spells made of unknown materials.

Eerie and chilling—enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

If Ye Huaizhang hadn’t been beside her, Ye Baoling would have bolted.

Her foot kicked something. Looking down, she saw a skull.

She screamed in terror!

Nearly throwing herself into Ye Huaizhang’s arms.

He examined it and told her: It’s an ox skull.

Ye Baoling opened her eyes and looked again—truly an ox skull.

It scared her to death. I thought it was a human head.

There’s another one here. Ye Huaizhang’s flashlight beam moved to the right wall.

A massive ox skull hung centered on the wall.

Apparently, both side walls originally had ox skulls, but the left one had fallen.

This resembled a ritual anteroom, completely different from the wine cellar atmosphere downstairs.

They advanced about ten meters, turned a corner, and discovered a bronze door standing ahead.

Sturdier, more refined, and taller than the iron door in the old third room.

Standing before the bronze door, Ye Baoling—still shaken from her earlier scare—felt somewhat disoriented.

What lay behind the door? She felt afraid.

This door has no lock.

Ye Huaizhang, bolder, pushed hard against it—it didn’t budge.

Pulling outward—still no movement.

After studying it, Ye Huaizhang said: This bronze door isn’t lockless—its lock isn’t ordinary.

He pointed to a slot in the door’s center—about six-seven centimeters long and three-four coins thick.

Ye Baoling reacted quickly: This looks like the coin slot on a piggy bank.

As she spoke, the couple exchanged glances—they’d thought of the same thing.

The bronze tablet she’d found on the mountain peak.

Its color matched the door perfectly, and its diameter seemed to fit the slot.

He asked: Is the bronze tablet at home?

It was at home.

She’d almost stored it in the bank safe with the Ugly King Jade Pendant.

I’ll go get it. She tugged his sleeve. Come with me.

She was scared.

Ye Huaizhang smiled—good to know there were things that frightened her.

Ye Baoling rolled her eyes. Heaven gave me brains and gave you courage.

Let’s go, wifey.

Author’s note: The exciting drama everyone wants to see will arrive in about 2-3 chapters—no need to rush