The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 82 Opening the Great Bronze Door

Chapter 82 Opening the Great Bronze Door

The study was unusually quiet.

After listening to the recording twice, Ye Baoling sat opposite Ye Huaizhang, slowly digesting the content.

She glanced at him, unsure whether to feel heartache or pity for him.

Despite the turmoil in his heart, Ye Huaizhang refused to show it, appearing increasingly composed instead.

Ye Baoling first confirmed with him: Isn’t Ye Huaili your second uncle’s son?

Ye Huaizhang stood up, retrieved the test report from the desk, and handed it to her: I just reviewed the report again—it’s definitely correct.

So Han Yanmei deceived your father, claiming Ye Huaili was his son to compete for inheritance rights. And your father believed her.

Ye Huaizhang nodded: Most likely.

Since Ye Jinsong chose to believe it, it was evident he had maintained a relationship with Han Yanmei after marriage.

After all, Ye Huaili was several years younger than Huaizhang.

Ye Jinsong had cheated.

I’ll arrange for another parentage test tomorrow. In case the previous sample was wrong, he said.

Being cautious was wise.

They began analyzing Han Yanmei’s unfinished sentence.

She said the red wine gifted to Gong Jiahua was useless, but fortunately Gong Jiahua did something with the red wine… It should be ‘fortunately Gong Jiahua regifted the red wine to Fang Shanxing’… Ye Baoling filled in the blanks like solving a puzzle.

Ye Huaizhang: Gong Jiahua did give a bottle of the 1946 red wine to Fang Shanxing. So our previous suspicion of Gong Fonian was misplaced—Sir Fang should be the suspect.

It was Sir Fang who, upon learning Ye Huaizhang had gifted two bottles of red wine to Gong Jiahua, mistakenly thought Ye Huaizhang knew the underground secret, thus sending Auntie Mei to assassinate him.

Ye Baoling suddenly connected something: Do you remember that butler from the Fang family? Seems to be called Sister Ju, with a square face. Could she be Auntie Mei? Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo—similar names, same face shape, also wears a bun.

The Fang family’s butler, Sister Ju?

This line of thinking might be correct.

He said: Tomorrow I’ll have someone get a photo of Sister Ju for Shui Gou to identify.

Ye Baoling continued analyzing: The secret of the wine cellar—both your father and Han Yanmei must have known something about it, though how they found out remains unknown. Your father knew more, Han Yanmei less. Han Yanmei wanted to use you as a scapegoat, but your father intentionally provided a false lead, having her send the red wine to the Gong family. Unexpectedly, Gong Jiahua regifted the extra bottle to Fang Shanxing, ultimately leading to your near-assassination.

This reasoning was likely ninety percent accurate.

Ye Huaizhang said helplessly: If this were ancient times and my father were an emperor, I’d probably be long gone.

Ye Baoling reached out and ruffled his hair, Now your father isn’t an emperor, but you can be the emperor… screw him!

…

Successfully cheered up, the previously downcast Ye Huaizhang laughed.

How? he asked.

Ye Baoling said, Although Ye Jinsong was soft-hearted and didn’t actually send you to your end, he fully cooperated with Han Yanmei and pretended not to know the truth even when he was aware of it. After the New Year, once we obtain the Ugly King Jade Pendant, we’ll find an opportunity to pressure your father into telling the truth. Those two have been deceiving each other—they’re not an unbreakable unit. Your father won’t withstand your interrogation. After that, we’ll have Mom divorce him, force him to leave with nothing, ruin his reputation, and leave him destitute! We should also consult a lawyer to see if this counts as abetting a crime. If it does, we’ll send him to prison.

This was the ideal outcome.

Since it concerned Ye Huaizhang’s personal interests, he was clearly considering more factors.

Their family wasn’t an ordinary one—every move would be scrutinized and amplified by the media, ultimately affecting the stock price.

He preferred not to act for now: Continue the surveillance. Judging by Han Yanmei’s tone, she’ll keep contacting him. We might uncover something new.

Ye Baoling understood his caution and suggested, Then have the household staff follow your father at all times, preventing him from having private conversations with Han Yanmei. This will force her to call him instead.

Agreed.

She scratched his ear, Be careful with what you eat at home. What if Han Yanmei goes crazy and poisons you?

Ye Huaizhang remained silent.

It sounded absurd, but it wasn’t impossible.

The next day, Shui Gou confirmed that Sister Ju was indeed Auntie Mei.

Therefore, the speculation that Sir Fang was the mastermind behind the attempt on Ye Huaizhang’s life was correct.

Two days before New Year’s Eve, the second parentage test result came out—Ye Huaili was indeed the biological son of Second Uncle Ye Jinbai.

*

Just before the Spring Festival holiday, Ye Baoling went to Qiyuan to review recent work with Liu Haonan.

The agreements for the two land plots in Shenzhen had been signed, and payment was made. They were now going through the approval process, which was expected to be finalized after the New Year.

They had hired a professional accounting team to oversee Gezhi Jewellery, ensuring no financial issues would arise.

Their current liquid funds weren’t abundant, but Ye Baoling had just secured 10 million from Ye Huaizhang, which should be sufficient for post-holiday operations.

She also withdrew 500,000 in cash for employee bonuses, ensuring all her staff could enjoy a prosperous New Year.

Upon returning to Jade Dragon Mansion, her secretary mentioned that General Manager Lin had come looking for her.

It turned out that the year-end bonuses for Ye Qingtang and Su Manzhu were still stuck with Ye Qizu, awaiting approval.

Lin Zhong explained, The chairman feels the year-end bonuses are too high this time. Once we set this precedent, it’ll be hard to reduce them later. But he hasn’t provided a standard, so we’re unsure what amount would be appropriate. If we follow previous years’ standards, both management and staff will be very dissatisfied. After all, performance has been strong this year—everyone has worked hard, and the company has profited.

Ye Qizu simply wanted to avoid paying anything.

What were the year-end bonuses in previous years? she asked.

Lin Zhong replied, At most, one month’s salary. Sometimes as little as half a month’s pay. This time, we proposed two months’ salary. That’s why the chairman is withholding approval.

Is my grandfather in the office today?

He just arrived.

Ye Baoling sighed, Even if I approach him, he might not grant me any favors. Let me think about how to handle this.

After Lin Zhong left, Ye Baoling made several calls and had a new proposal drafted before going upstairs to see Ye Qizu.

Ye Qizong was also in Ye Qizu’s office.

The two brothers seemed to be discussing the gossip about the Third Branch nearly being trapped by the Li Family in a scheme to seize Hongtong Industry.

Ye Qizong snorted coldly: In our lifetime, we finally get to see the Third Branch make a spectacle of themselves. Who could have helped them so greatly this time? They actually managed to luckily overcome the crisis.

Ye Qizu remarked: This shows that excessive capital expansion isn’t a good thing.

Noticing Ye Baoling enter, Ye Qizong asked curiously: Baoling, I haven’t congratulated you yet. I heard Huaizhang has been promoted to Chairman of Hongtong Industry.

Ye Baoling responded: Third Uncle, why congratulate me? You should tell him directly.

Isn’t he your husband? A wife shares her husband’s glory—that’s been the way since ancient times. Ye Qizong’s rigid, chauvinistic attitude was sometimes even more irritating than Ye Qizu’s.

Ye Baoling was utterly exasperated: He doesn’t share his earnings with me. What kind of ancient principle is that?

Ye Qizong inquired curiously: Do you know who helped the Third Branch so much this time?

Me!

Ye Baoling forced a polite smile: I don’t know. As a granddaughter of the Oldest Branch, they wouldn’t tell me anything about their affairs.

Ye Qizong scoffed: Then what’s the point of you being married? It’s as if you’re not married at all.

Not wanting to waste time on him, Ye Baoling placed the documents on her grandfather’s desk. Grandfather, please review this year’s year-end bonus distribution plan.

Ye Qizu, unwilling to let his brother interfere with company operations, instructed: Qizong, you may leave now. We’ll discuss the ancestral worship matters later at home.

Though he wanted to stay and hear about the bonus plan, Ye Qizong had no choice but to stand up. Fine, I’ll take my leave then.

Only after Ye Qizong left did the old man pick up the documents and put on his glasses. He first asked: What’s different from the previous version?

Ye Baoling explained: This year, employees have high expectations for the year-end bonus. They’ve been anticipating at least two months’ salary. If we fall short, we’ll likely see significant talent loss after the new year. I recently inquired about Hongtong Industry and Yunchang Group’s bonuses—they’re both giving three months, one month more than us.

They’re major conglomerates!

Suddenly, the old man wasn’t interested in competing with others.

Ye Baoling couldn’t resist mocking: Grandfather, with such stinginess, our company will never grow into a large corporation.

Enough! Ye Qizu sighed. Ye Qingtang is fine—he has sufficient funds. But Su Man just purchased an Australian gold mine. Most of their money is bank loans—how can we use loans for year-end bonuses? Besides, every cent in the accounts has its purpose.

Ye Baoling had anticipated this response: Su Man’s revenue has surged this past month. I checked the accounts—they have ample liquid assets, more than enough for bonuses. Everyone sees how booming business is; they won’t understand if we plead poverty. Grandfather, please choose between these two distribution methods.

What are the options?

Whenever Ye Qizu asked this, it meant he tacitly agreed.

When dealing with superiors, the best approach is to offer choices rather than a single yes-or-no decision.

The conventional method is to pay two months’ salary as bonus before the new year. The alternative is one month before, and the second month in the first quarter. The latter reduces post-holiday talent loss.

Ye Qizu wavered: One month before Spring Festival, and the second in the first quarter?

Yes. Once it’s clearly explained, employees will understand the company’s difficulties with insufficient working capital. Given our tight cash flow, if we’re still willing to give double-month year-end bonuses, everyone will surely feel even more grateful.

Let me think about it some more. Ye Qizu habitually delayed the decision.

Ye Baoling pressed, The day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. If you don’t approve it soon, Finance won’t have enough time to process everything.

Ye Qizu didn’t believe her. Finance has had the money ready for a while now. Did you think I didn’t know?

If it’s already prepared, why not distribute it? They know both General Manager Lin and I have approached you about this. If you don’t approve it, you’ll be the one who ends up looking bad. After Ye Baoling laid out the situation, Ye Qizu realized he had no real choice.

Finally, the old man waved his hand in resignation. Alright, proceed with the second option you proposed.

Ye Baoling quickly picked up the document, flipped to the last page, unscrewed the fountain pen from the desk holder, and handed it to him.

Grandfather, sign here.

Only after Ye Qizu signed his name did Ye Baoling leave with a smile.

When implementing the plan, she specifically instructed Finance to provide an additional New Year’s allowance to the lower-level employees in the Cleaning and Security Sections.

On New Year’s Eve, the Oldest Branch Residence was filled with festive Spring Festival decorations both inside and out.

The Spring Festival couplets, spring scrolls, and large fortune characters were all handwritten by Ye Qizu himself.

After they were put up, family members gathered to admire them, inevitably offering some flattery and praising the old man’s excellent calligraphy.

Ye Baoling had returned to the Gu Family early that morning.

Her uncle Gu Xianyong had received a relatively large bonus this year. He bought New Year clothes and shoes for all the children, and also paid for Gu Man’er to purchase a scarf for Ye Baoling.

This was the second gift she had received from her uncle, following the birthday lipstick.

Chosen by Gu Man’er, it wasn’t expensive but had a beautiful pattern.

Coincidentally, the temperature had dropped today, so Ye Baoling put it on with a smile. Thank you, Uncle. I wish you great wealth and steady promotions in the coming year.

Her aunt Shen Yue’e was nearby, attaching red paper to a pair of large oranges. She lamented, Promotions? After the New Year, we don’t even know if he’ll still have a job.

What’s wrong?

This garment factory had your uncle set up the workshop and production lines from scratch, hire and train all the workers. And now? The boss wants his younger brother to take your uncle’s position. It’s just ‘use someone when needed, discard them when not’—flip the pig’s belly and it’s all shit. After saying this, Shen Yue’e cursed under her breath.

Gu Man’er comforted her, It’s alright. I got a raise, and second sister will graduate soon and can start an internship. Even if Dad finds a lower-paying job, it’ll be manageable.

Shen Yue’e sighed, At his age, finding any job won’t be easy.

Ye Baoling, however, had an idea: We’ve acquired land in Shenzhen to build a factory. Uncle, why don’t you go be the manager for me?

Hearing this, Shen Yue’e assumed the land belonged to Ye Qingtang. Thinking that having such backing would provide good shelter, she smiled and said, That sounds wonderful! Baoling is now Ye Qingtang’s deputy general manager. Who would dare fire your uncle so easily in the future?

Gu Xianyong said somewhat awkwardly, After working hard all these years, I still end up relying on my niece in the end.

Ye Baoling disagreed: It’s not about relying on me. I need the right, trustworthy person to oversee things in Shenzhen. Uncle, you just completed the entire process of setting up a garment factory in Shenzhen. You have the experience, and that’s invaluable.

Hearing his niece say his experience was valuable, Gu Xianyong finally smiled. So I’m still somewhat useful.

Of course.

With Gu Xianyong’s work issues resolved, the Gu Family could finally enjoy a happy and prosperous New Year together.

At noon, Ye Huaizhang also came. Grandma Gu rarely came downstairs, and they all shared the reunion meal together.

In the evening, Ye Baoling returned to the Oldest Branch while Ye Huaizhang went back to the Third Branch – the couple returned to their respective homes to continue with another reunion dinner.

This New Year, Ye Qizu was particularly happy. After the evening meal, he gave generous red envelopes to both Ye Baoling and Ye Baoshun.

During the incense offering at the ancestral shrine on New Year’s Day, his wish was: May 1988 bring great achievements, and may Ye Qingtang have a worthy successor.

On New Year’s Day, Ye Baoling first went to pay respects to her grandmother and gave red envelopes to her younger female cousins.

Grandma Gu reminded her, Tomorrow is the second day – your mother’s birthday anniversary. Remember to come back and burn incense.

She had almost forgotten – the original host’s mother’s birthday was tomorrow.

But Ye Baoling planned to feign menstrual cramps tomorrow to avoid going out, so she said: Grandma, I might not be able to come back tomorrow as I have something important. I’ll burn three extra incense sticks for my mother today – she’ll understand.

What matter?

Important business. After speaking mysteriously, Ye Baoling went to add more incense for her mother.

Grandma Gu knew she was busy and didn’t press further.

Early on the second day of the New Year, all three branches of the Ye family gathered at the ancestral hall for worship.

Ye Huaizhang excused himself, claiming he needed to personally receive foreign guests, and didn’t attend.

Meanwhile, Ye Baoling pretended to have stomach pains and stayed in her bedroom without going downstairs.

After everyone left, the Hall of Flourishing Harmony became quiet. Except for someone in the first-floor kitchen, everyone else had gone to the ancestral hall.

Only Sister Qin and her son hadn’t taken leave, pretending to work while guarding both staircases.

Ye Huaizhang came to Ye Baoling’s room through the Blue Brick Tunnel. They put on gloves, and Ye Baoling slung a small bag containing tools over her shoulder before heading to the third floor.

Sister Ping kept watch by the third-floor window. From her position, she could both see the ancestral hall entrance in the main garden and monitor activity on this floor.

Ye Baoling instructed: Sister Ping, if you see anyone returning from the ancestral hall, call me immediately.

For this covert operation, Ye Huaizhang had provided mobile phones to all the lookouts.

Okay, okay. Sister Ping was excited, though she didn’t know what the young mistress intended to steal.

But she knew it must be very important.

Failure was not an option.

The couple soon reached Ye Qizu’s bedroom, which was locked.

Ye Huaizhang glanced at her as if to say, Lockpick master, your turn.

But the lockpick master pulled out a set of keys – she had already prepared all the necessary keys for the third floor. Direct unlocking saved time and effort.

He couldn’t help but praise: Impressive.

Ye Baoling smiled. Took some effort.

Entering the bedroom, they noticed a faint medicinal oil scent.

With no electric lights on in the early morning, the room was somewhat dim. Elderly people preferred rooms that conserved energy and gathered qi, so the space wasn’t large – one had to pass through the walk-in closet to reach the bathroom.

Everything was smaller than in young people’s rooms.

The codebook was less likely to be hidden in the walk-in closet or bathroom – it was probably in the bedroom itself.

After scanning the surroundings, they noticed the left-side floor-to-ceiling cabinet was quite tall. Ye Huaizhang quickly divided tasks: I’ll take left, you take right.

Okay. Ye Baoling moved to the right side.

Bedside tables, desks, drawers, the Five-Drawer Chest, rocking chairs, carpets, baseboards… they left no potential hiding spot for the codebook or coded papers unchecked.

After searching for at least twenty minutes, they found nothing.

Finally, they turned their gaze to the large bed. Working from opposite sides, they shifted it away from the wall.

Even after nearly dismantling the bed frame, they found no clues.

They had no choice but to reassemble the bed.

Exhausted, Ye Baoling collapsed into a rocking chair to rest. Could it not be in the bedroom?

They entered the small walk-in closet and rummaged through every cabinet and drawer, yet still came up empty-handed.

Back in the bedroom, Ye Baoling suddenly remembered Ye Qizu’s cane. Where’s my grandfather’s walking stick?

Haven’t seen it. He probably took it to the ancestral hall.

Could it be hidden inside the cane?

She’d seen many TV dramas where elderly characters liked to hide things in their walking sticks.

This was a scripted world after all.

It really was possible.

Hidden in the cane? Ye Huaizhang shook his head. Your grandfather only uses a cane occasionally when his legs bother him. Unless you need it constantly, a cane is like an umbrella – easily misplaced.

That made some sense.

Prompted by his words, Ye Baoling scanned the bedroom. It must be hidden in something that’s hard to remove. Let’s switch sides and search again. I’ll take left, you take right.

Time was running out. If they didn’t find anything this time, today would be wasted.

Yet they still found nothing.

Ye Baoling glanced at her watch – an hour had passed. The ancestral worship ceremony at the hall would be ending soon.

As a last resort, she considered going to the secret chamber and trying every family member’s birthday as passwords. Maybe one would work?

Just as she was about to move, Ye Huaizhang called from where he stood before the five-drawer chest. Come look at this.

What?

Isn’t the top panel of this chest unusually thick?

Ye Baoling moved closer for inspection. It did seem thicker than normal.

They bent down to examine it carefully.

The wood beneath the surface panel seemed specially crafted. Light tapping produced a hollow sound, suggesting empty space inside.

Yet when they tried pulling it out forcefully, it wouldn’t budge.

Noticing seams where boards joined on both sides, Ye Huaizhang said, Let me try something.

He gripped both ends of the panel and pulled outward in opposite directions. To their surprise, it actually opened.

Inside was a concealed shallow drawer.

Ye Baoling whispered excitedly, You’re amazing, honey!

Hearing his wife’s effusive praise, Ye Huaizhang maintained a calm exterior, though if he hadn’t controlled himself, his eyebrows would have shot up to his hairline.

Sure enough, there was a small notebook in the drawer. After quickly flipping through it, they found the page recording the password.

The writing looked somewhat peculiar. As Ye Baoling took out her camera to photograph it, a small box at the back of the drawer caught their attention.

She said, I’ll take photos, you check what’s in the box.

She photographed not just the password page, but all the other pages as well.

While she was shooting, Ye Huaizhang murmured beside her, Look.

Ye Baoling glanced over and froze.

It took her several seconds to process what she was seeing.

Wasn’t this the Ugly King Jade Pendant she’d been dreaming about day and night?!

The Oldest Branch’s Ugly King Jade Pendant was pure white, just sitting hidden in this inconspicuous little drawer.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Ye Baoling picked up the white jade pendant and whispered to it, How could grandfather treat you like this? Leaving you all alone here? Don’t you deserve to be in a safe? Don’t you deserve better?

All that time she’d spent researching safe-cracking methods had been wasted.

Ye Huaizhang laughed at her. Have you gone mad?

She nearly had – truly nearly gone mad.

The moment Ye Baoling gripped the Ugly King Jade Pendant, a mechanical system voice suddenly echoed in her ears.

Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission. Please choose your next direction.

A virtual screen appeared before her eyes, with the button on the left labeled Return to Original World and the one on the right labeled Continue the Challenge.

She wondered, what kind of mission would Continue the Challenge entail?

The system reminded her that it was a mission related to the Ugly King Jade Pendant. If she succeeded, she would gain permanent residency in the script world; if she failed, she would return to her original world as a beggar.

There was no need to hesitate—of course, she would continue the challenge.

Here she was a billionaire heiress, with two major corporations waiting to fall into her hands in the future. She had no desire to return to being an office drudge in her original world. Though she had earned a high salary and never lacked money there, even as a workplace champion, she’d never been as wealthy as she was now.

Without hesitation, she chose [Continue the Challenge].

And then… nothing happened.

What the continuing challenge entailed, she had no idea.

The system vanished again.

Meanwhile, Ye Huaizhang had already returned the other items to their places. If they directly took the Ugly King Jade Pendant, her grandfather would easily notice.

The fake Ugly King Jade Pendant Ye Baoling had prepared earlier came in handy just in time.

After all, both were made of pure white jade, identical in shape and similar in texture. Without careful examination, it would be difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

Ye Baoling didn’t have time to overthink. She quickly ran back to her room, but just as she found the fake Ugly King Jade Pendant, the mobile phone she carried with her rang.

It was Sister Ping calling to say the ancestral hall gathering had concluded.

Ye Baoling rushed to the third floor at top speed, placed the fake jade in its box, and closed the drawer. The couple had just returned to their bedroom when they heard footsteps approaching from the corridor outside.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Bao Ling! Bao Ling! Are you feeling better? Second Aunt Liang Meiyun was knocking at the door.

Ye Huaizhang entered the secret chamber first and descended through the tunnel, while Ye Baoling quickly took off her outerwear and slightly messed up her hair before answering the door.

Liang Meiyun asked her, How are you feeling?

Bao Ling clutched her stomach and said, It was coming in waves of pain earlier, absolutely miserable. I’m feeling much better now.

Do you have painkillers? Take some if you do.

Yes. I just took some.

Liang Meiyun advised, Lie down and rest for a while. Later, a doctor friend of mine is coming. Let her examine you.

Eager to join Ye Huaizhang in the Blue Brick Tunnel, Ye Baoling hurriedly declined, No need, Second Aunt. Seeing a doctor on the second day of the Lunar New Year brings bad luck. The medicine made me a bit drowsy. I think I’ll take a nap first.

Alright then. Have something to eat after you wake up.

Okay.

After closing the door, Ye Baoling tied up her hair, put on her outerwear, went to the walk-in closet to retrieve the other two Ugly King Jade Pendants, and along with the white jade pendant from the Oldest Branch, placed them all into the bronze box. She then slung a small bag over her shoulder and quickly descended through the secret chamber.

Ye Huaizhang was waiting for her in the underground wine cellar.

Together, they entered the Blue Brick Tunnel and once again opened the brick door at the base of Silver Snake Mountain.

Standing before the great bronze door, she felt slightly nervous as she took out the bronze box. The couple exchanged a glance, and then she inserted the bronze box containing the three Ugly King Jade Pendants into the coin slot.

After inserting the box, she turned it clockwise once to the left, and immediately heard a click sound…

Success!

Ye Baoling thought with pleasant surprise, 1988 truly is a new year—everything’s going so smoothly!

The third Ugly King Jade Pendant, which they had spent over half a year searching for, was obtained with astonishing ease at the final moment.

Wait, it couldn’t possibly succeed this quickly, especially since she had just accepted a new task.

Ye Baoling felt both nervous and somewhat afraid, remembering how the bull-headed skeleton from last time had terrified her.

With her vivid imagination, she feared that upon opening the door, they would find the place littered with corpses.

You open it, she whispered, poking him lightly and instinctively positioning herself behind him.

Ye Huaizhang gently pushed the door inward. As soon as it cracked open a sliver, a red glow emanated from within…

Here she was a billionaire heiress, with two major corporations waiting to fall into her hands in the future. She had no desire to return to being an office drudge in her original world. Though she had earned a high salary and never lacked money there, even as a workplace champion, she’d never been as wealthy as she was now.

Without hesitation, she chose [Continue the Challenge].

And then… nothing happened.

What the continuing challenge entailed, she had no idea.

The system vanished again.

Meanwhile, Ye Huaizhang had already returned the other items to their places. If they directly took the Ugly King Jade Pendant, her grandfather would easily notice.

The fake Ugly King Jade Pendant Ye Baoling had prepared earlier came in handy just in time.

After all, both were made of pure white jade, identical in shape and similar in texture. Without careful examination, it would be difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

Ye Baoling didn’t have time to overthink. She quickly ran back to her room, but just as she found the fake Ugly King Jade Pendant, the mobile phone she carried with her rang.

It was Sister Ping calling to say the ancestral hall gathering had concluded.

Ye Baoling rushed to the third floor at top speed, placed the fake jade in its box, and closed the drawer. The couple had just returned to their bedroom when they heard footsteps approaching from the corridor outside.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Bao Ling! Bao Ling! Are you feeling better? Second Aunt Liang Meiyun was knocking at the door.

Ye Huaizhang entered the secret chamber first and descended through the tunnel, while Ye Baoling quickly took off her outerwear and slightly messed up her hair before answering the door.

Liang Meiyun asked her, How are you feeling?

Bao Ling clutched her stomach and said, It was coming in waves of pain earlier, absolutely miserable. I’m feeling much better now.

Do you have painkillers? Take some if you do.

Yes. I just took some.

Liang Meiyun advised, Lie down and rest for a while. Later, a doctor friend of mine is coming. Let her examine you.

Eager to join Ye Huaizhang in the Blue Brick Tunnel, Ye Baoling hurriedly declined, No need, Second Aunt. Seeing a doctor on the second day of the Lunar New Year brings bad luck. The medicine made me a bit drowsy. I think I’ll take a nap first.

Alright then. Have something to eat after you wake up.

Okay.

After closing the door, Ye Baoling tied up her hair, put on her outerwear, went to the walk-in closet to retrieve the other two Ugly King Jade Pendants, and along with the white jade pendant from the Oldest Branch, placed them all into the bronze box. She then slung a small bag over her shoulder and quickly descended through the secret chamber.

Ye Huaizhang was waiting for her in the underground wine cellar.

Together, they entered the Blue Brick Tunnel and once again opened the brick door at the base of Silver Snake Mountain.

Standing before the great bronze door, she felt slightly nervous as she took out the bronze box. The couple exchanged a glance, and then she inserted the bronze box containing the three Ugly King Jade Pendants into the coin slot.

After inserting the box, she turned it clockwise once to the left, and immediately heard a click sound…

Success!

Ye Baoling thought with pleasant surprise, 1988 truly is a new year—everything’s going so smoothly!

The third Ugly King Jade Pendant, which they had spent over half a year searching for, was obtained with astonishing ease at the final moment.

Wait, it couldn’t possibly succeed this quickly, especially since she had just accepted a new task.

Ye Baoling felt both nervous and somewhat afraid, remembering how the bull-headed skeleton from last time had terrified her.

With her vivid imagination, she feared that upon opening the door, they would find the place littered with corpses.

You open it, she whispered, poking him lightly and instinctively positioning herself behind him.

Ye Huaizhang gently pushed the door inward. As soon as it cracked open a sliver, a red glow emanated from within…