Chapter 36: The Treasure’s First Trace, Secrets Begin to Emerge
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The Emperor stared at the brick lodged over my chest, his face shifting from livid to pale. At last, he suddenly burst out laughing.
“Palace Maid Lu, you certainly have an unusual place to hide your private savings.”
I gave an awkward laugh. Seizing the opportunity, I pulled out the brick, pretended to dust it off, and then discreetly slipped it into He Yunsheng’s hands.
“Your Majesty is too kind. It is merely a small hobby of mine, hardly worth mentioning.”
He Yunsheng stood there blankly, clutching the brick as though it were a red-hot coal.
The Emperor waved for us to rise.
“Enough. I did not come today to call anyone to account. I have another important matter.” He paused, his gaze settling on me. “Palace Maid Lu, I hear you have recently been working in the Imperial Treasury?”
My heart tightened. Why had the Emperor suddenly brought this up? Had he discovered something?
I hurriedly nodded.
The Emperor continued, “I have received word that the treasury may contain a hidden treasure left behind by the previous dynasty. The matter is of great importance, so I hereby order you to take full responsibility for investigating it.”
My heart leaped with joy. This was practically a pillow delivered to someone who had just grown sleepy!
On the surface, however, I remained composed and respectfully accepted the order.
After the Emperor left, I immediately dragged He Yunsheng back to the treasury.
After Lady Su’s attempt to frame me, I had become even more cautious in inspecting the treasury.
Holding the brick we had dug out of the dungeon, I carefully compared it with the treasury’s map, trying to uncover some clue.
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At last, hard work paid off. In a forgotten corner, I discovered a fragment of an ancient treasure map!
The fragment radiated a mysterious aura, as though it were calling to me.
I took the fragment to Elder Sun. With his wealth of experience, perhaps he could discern something hidden within it.
Elder Sun studied the fragment carefully, and his expression gradually grew solemn.
“This… this may be a clue to the legendary Dragon Vein Treasure!”
“The Dragon Vein Treasure?” My heart jolted. Even the name sounded extraordinary.
Elder Sun nodded and told me that the treasure was said to contain enough wealth to alter the fate of an entire dynasty. It was a secret that members of the imperial court throughout the generations had sought to uncover.
Just as we were studying the fragment, a familiar figure suddenly appeared at the treasury entrance—Pavilion Master Qin!
He looked at the fragment in my hand, greed gleaming in his eyes.
“Palace Maid Lu, I want that.”
Pavilion Master Qin had turned on us faster than one could turn a page!
When he saw that I had no intention of handing over the fragment, he immediately flew into a rage. Pointing at my nose, he cursed, “You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Lu Wan’er, do not mistake my courtesy for weakness! Just because the Emperor is backing you, do you think you can run wild throughout the palace? If you do not hand over that fragment, I will make certain you regret it!”
Several burly men behind him closed in menacingly, each one looking vicious enough to be collecting a debt.
My heart sank. Pavilion Master Qin had decided to use force, and my paltry martial skills were no match for them!
That little fellow He Yunsheng might look foolish most of the time, but he was surprisingly quick-witted when it mattered.
Rather than clash head-on with the roughnecks, he grinned and sauntered over to Pavilion Master Qin, putting on a timid expression.
“Pavilion Master Qin, please calm down, calm down! If you want the fragment, I will give it to you. There is no need to get so worked up.”
As he spoke, he pretended to hand the fragment over.
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Seeing that he was about to get what he wanted, Pavilion Master Qin immediately broke into a delighted smile and reached out to take the fragment.
But at that very moment, He Yunsheng moved with lightning speed and snatched a token from Pavilion Master Qin’s waist!
Well now, the token was jet-black, with a lifelike golden dragon carved across its surface. At a glance, it was clearly no ordinary object.
He Yunsheng waved the token before Pavilion Master Qin.
“Pavilion Master Qin, this is proof that you have been entering and leaving the imperial palace without permission! If the Emperor learns of this, you will lose your head!”
Pavilion Master Qin’s face darkened in an instant, looking worse than if he had swallowed a fly.
He glared viciously at me, then slunk away with his men.
I looked at He Yunsheng and could not help giving him a thumbs-up.
“Little Yunsheng, beautifully done! I like you more and more, dear brother!”
He Yunsheng scratched his head bashfully and gave a sheepish grin.
Although we had temporarily sent Pavilion Master Qin packing, I knew he would not let the matter rest.
Besides, we now possessed only one fragment of the treasure map. Where were the others?
What secret was hidden behind this treasure?
I stared at the fragment in my hand, sinking into thought.
Suddenly, I felt a cold, sinister gaze upon me. I jerked my head up…
Something seemed to flicker past in the shadows at the corner of the wall.
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