The thin silk handkerchief traced a graceful arc through the air like a dancing butterfly, landing precisely in Lu Zigang’s hands. The moment Lu Zigang felt the texture in his hands, his expression changed immediately.
He had once seen the plain gauze garment unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tomb – extremely fine silk threads, using about 2.6 square meters of material, weighing only 49 grams, less than one tael, so thin it could be folded into a matchbox. This was a craft that even modern technology couldn’t replicate. The plain gauze garment had sparse mesh and was semi-transparent, but the silk fabric in his hands had dense threads, was silver-white in color, weightless when lifted, and carried a heavy fragrance of incense. Though Lu Zigang’s judgment was extremely discerning, he didn’t dare confirm the origins of this ancient silk fabric for the moment. What was even more infuriating was that this precious silk fabric actually had writing on it.
The “Mozi” once said “written on bamboo and silk, carved in gold and stone.” Before paper was invented, silk was used by nobles for writing and painting, while commoners couldn’t afford silk and still used bamboo slips. Though paper was invented during the Han dynasty, everyone knew silk was precious and paper cheap – those who wrote on paper were mostly commoners who couldn’t afford silk, while court nobles were still accustomed to using silk. On this piece of silk he held were six columns of Qin seal script.
Qin seal script, also known as small seal script, was a font derived from simplified changes to large seal script. It emerged in the late Warring States period in Qin and was used during the Qin dynasty and early Western Han – it was the political measure Qin Shihuang promoted after unifying the six states with “unified cart axles and unified writing.” Because the writing systems of various states during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods differed slightly, making governance inconvenient, Chancellor Li Si was ordered to standardize them. Later generations habitually called this font small seal script, but like Han clerical script, calling it Qin seal script better reflected its representative significance.
Qin seal script had rounded, flowing strokes with tight structure – each stroke like silver hooks and iron paintings, neat and elegant. Lu Zigang had considerable research into Qin dynasty inscriptions and quickly read what these six columns of Qin seal script contained, immediately becoming speechless and unable to find his voice.
Hu Hai was very satisfied with Lu Zigang’s expression. He had seen plenty of antiques in tombs – casually taking out a few could overwhelm him. Young Master Hu was in a good mood after winning at showing off wealth, so he magnanimously tolerated Lu Zigang’s lack of immediate response, only pouting impatiently: “How about it? Trading this for that dragon-patterned bell – do you agree?”
Lu Zigang’s hands holding the silk fabric trembled slightly. He really couldn’t hold back and asked in shock: “What’s so special about this dragon-patterned bell? Why do you all want it?”
Hu Hai didn’t answer him, only frowned slightly.
Lu Zigang knew this was refusal through silence. He reluctantly squeezed the silk fabric in his hands, looked down again and again at those six columns of Qin seal script, but finally shook his head firmly: “Young Master Hu, I appreciate your sincerity, but my transaction with the owner came first – I absolutely cannot break faith.”
Though Lu Zigang felt unwilling, his words were decisive. Not wanting to break his promise to the owner was one aspect – after all, the deposit had been given, and the antique entrusted to him had already entered the collection and would be featured in an exhibition in a few days. On the other hand, though he felt this Young Master Hu could definitely produce the antiques, he sensed endless future troubles. Ultimately, Lu Zigang still felt the owner was much more reliable than this willful Young Master Hu.
Hearing this, Hu Hai’s red pupils narrowed ominously. In his view, he had already given Lu Zigang sufficient choice, yet the latter repeatedly challenged his patience. Hu Hai was too lazy to waste more words with him – since this person refused a toast, he didn’t mind making him drink the penalty wine.
Seeing Hu Hai approach with a dark expression, Lu Zigang’s first reaction was to protect the dragon-patterned bell before him. How had he forgotten this person was no good – back in the liubo chess mansion, this person had watched the carnage unfold without changing expression. Lu Zigang regretted for a moment – he should have called the police immediately upon discovering Hu Hai’s intrusion, not stood here chatting with him.
In Hu Hai’s view, Lu Zigang’s obstruction posed no threat at all. He nimbly grasped the dragon-patterned bell, and seeing Lu Zigang pick up his phone to dial for police, a mischievous thought flashed through his mind.
“Ding—”
Hu Hai moved his wrist slightly, and the dragon-patterned bell in his hands made a crisp sound like a bell, echoing through the large laboratory.
After Lu Zigang realized this was the sound from the dragon-patterned bell, he forgot to continue dialing 110 and looked up in amazement at the dragon-patterned bell in Hu Hai’s hands. Wasn’t it said not to shake it? Hey!!!!
“Don’t call the police.” Hu Hai commanded Lu Zigang. Now that he held the dragon-patterned bell, he could naturally command others’ behavior. He wasn’t afraid of the other party calling police – he didn’t fear those officers either – but fewer complications were better.
“Alright.” Seeing room for negotiation, Lu Zigang cooperatively nodded: “But you need to put down the dragon-patterned bell first.”
Hu Hai’s rising lip corners froze before they could fully form. Would a controlled person still make demands? Hu Hai was silent for a moment, then shook the dragon-patterned bell in his hands again, quickly saying before the crisp sound faded: “Give me your cutting knife.”
Lu Zigang stared speechlessly. This Young Master Hu had just seemed communicative – how did his brain suddenly short-circuit?
Hu Hai looked at the dragon-patterned bell in his hands in disbelief. Clearly the copper clapper and dragon-patterned bell had been restored together – why couldn’t he still command others? Was his method wrong?
Next, Hu Hai began trying various methods, constantly shaking the dragon-patterned bell in his hands. For a while, crisp bell sounds were endless. Lu Zigang went from initial uncertainty to finally finding himself a chair to sit down, propping his chin on his hands to watch Young Master Hu’s once-in-a-century foolish performance.
Lu Zigang now understood – where was the “can’t shake it”? The owner and Young Master Hu were fooling idiots! This Young Master Hu was shaking it with great pleasure himself! Though the dragon-patterned bell’s sound was quite pleasant.
Hu Hai couldn’t hear Lu Zigang’s internal complaints, or he would have been even more irritated. He had instinctively sensed something was wrong but couldn’t figure out what.
Just as Hu Hai was at his wit’s end, he suddenly saw a blur of blue flash quickly before his eyes. His right hand stung, and he could no longer grip the dragon-patterned bell. He also heard Lu Zigang’s exclamation from the other side, but neither heard the sound of the dragon-patterned bell hitting the ground.
Looking carefully, Hu Hai discovered the blue blur was actually a blue three-legged small bird with bright colors and light form. Only its beautiful tail feathers that usually trailed behind were now broken, with several bald patches on its tail. Hu Hai knew this was his Minghong’s battle achievement.
Too bad – he should have brought his little red bird too, not left it at home eating beef jerky.
Hu Hai watched the three blue birds carry the dragon-patterned bell to a corner of the laboratory, gracefully landing on an outstretched arm and obediently lowering its head to place the bell in that person’s palm.
“Owner? How did you… come too?” Actually, Lu Zigang wanted to ask how he had gotten in. He helplessly rubbed his forehead, discovering he could now accept various strange occurrences without changing expression.
“I was afraid things might change, so I came to conclude the transaction early.” The owner glanced at the silk fabric on the table before Lu Zigang, seeing those six columns of Qin seal script, and couldn’t help but internally complain that this young prince was still as spendthrift after over two thousand years, taking out so many things without batting an eye. Moreover, his earlier Han clerical script was just for Lu Zigang’s easy reading – nothing like Hu Hai specially writing Qin seal script to show off. Though this handwriting was much better than two thousand years ago, showing he hadn’t neglected practice.
The owner pointed to the two brocade boxes set aside and said indifferently: “These are the remaining two antiques as agreed. You can inspect them.”
Lu Zigang quickly waved his hands: “No need, no need to inspect. I trust the owner.” Lu Zigang couldn’t wait for these two deities to leave quickly – as for the antiques, he believed the owner wouldn’t default.
Hu Hai looked thoughtfully at the additional rabbit plushie on the owner’s shoulder, suddenly understanding and nodding: “I see, you only drew me out. I wondered why you could detect the golden ghost mask’s function yet still hung it on the wall – so it was a trap.”
The rabbit plushie’s ears moved as if startled. The owner soothingly petted the plushie with his free hand. Seeing Hu Hai about to take out Zhang Jue’s yellow turban to leave, he said: “Don’t you want this dragon-patterned bell anymore?”
Hu Hai snorted coldly: “This dragon-patterned bell is a fake. I just tested it.” He wasn’t afraid of Fusu’s blame now – after all, bringing back this fake would be useless.
The owner smiled slightly: “This is genuine – only the copper clapper I gave Lu Zigang wasn’t.” As he spoke, he removed the copper clapper from inside the dragon-patterned bell, then took out a wooden piece from his chest.
“Eh? Could this dragon-patterned bell actually be a wooden bell rather than a metal bell?” Lu Zigang stared fixedly at the wooden clapper in the owner’s hands, somewhat unable to process this.
“Yes. When Yang Guang used the dragon-patterned bell for grand construction projects that harmed civilians, I replaced it with another wooden clapper, and that replacement wooden clapper decayed completely over the long years.” The owner calmly installed the wooden clapper into the dragon-patterned bell.
Only then did Hu Hai realize what was wrong. So that was it – no wonder the owner had clearly said he’d replaced it with another clapper, yet he’d just seen the original dragon-patterned bell’s cavity was empty before Lu Zigang installed the copper clapper.
At this moment, the three blue birds suddenly spread their wings and flapped twice. Their melodious, clear calls attracted Hu Hai to instinctively look up, and the next moment he heard an indescribably melodious, subtle striking sound.
“Dong—”
Though only one sound, it seemed to echo endlessly in his ears.
“Forget about my appearance here. Return to Fusu’s side and pretend to help him on the surface, but privately report all his movements to me through the golden ghost mask.” A cold voice seemed to penetrate layers of mist, directly piercing his mind. Though Hu Hai instinctively wanted to resist, he only struggled briefly before calming down again.
“Yes.” Hu Hai replied mechanically, then with a stiff expression grasped the yellow turban in his hand and disappeared into thin air the next second.
Lu Zigang was struck speechless. He turned his head, wanting the owner to give him a reasonable explanation, but only caught sight of the owner’s wrist moving lightly.
“Dong—”
The dragon-patterned bell sounded again.
“Forget what happened after the dragon-patterned bell was shaken in my hands. You have completed the transaction with me.”
When Lu Zigang came to his senses again, he found only himself and two brocade boxes in the corner of the laboratory.
He felt like he had forgotten something. He held his head and thought for a long time but couldn’t remember what.
“So everything was a trap set by the owner?” The doctor stared at the deep pit that appeared in the ground and sighed with some regret: “Such a useful dragon-patterned bell, and it’s just buried at the formation point like this? Owner, why not use this dragon-patterned bell to control Fusu? Having him return my body would be great.”
The owner’s hand holding the dragon-patterned bell brocade box trembled. After a light sigh, he said indifferently: “It’s not that I don’t want your body back – it’s just that Fusu… couldn’t possibly be caught so easily.”
In this world, the person who understood Fusu best was him. This time he could outmaneuver Hu Hai only because Fusu didn’t care about Hu Hai – otherwise how could it be so easy?
Hearing this, the doctor also sighed. Though he felt that Prince Fusu was a bit too chuunibyou, he absolutely couldn’t treat him as an actual middle school second-year student. That was Qin Shihuang’s carefully cultivated heir who, though dying due to circumstances, surely had schemes beyond ordinary people. The doctor suppressed his desire to continue complaining but still unwillingly moved his two long ears: “Then there’s no need to bury this dragon-patterned bell, right? Can’t other antiques substitute?”
“This is a demonic object. What humans obtain too easily, they never cherish – over time they take it for granted.” The owner held the brocade box with a half-smile: “Those King Zhou of Shang and Emperor Yang of Sui were both rarely seen eternal monarchs in their youth, but for emperors, the most fatal thing is thinking they are Sons of Heaven and others’ obedience is natural.”
“Human hearts can change and cannot be controlled forever.” The owner sighed lightly: “Even using the dragon-patterned bell is useless.”
The doctor could no longer voice any rebuttal. He lowered his head with the owner to watch the dragon-patterned bell being buried in the formation point, then everything returned to normal.
“So that dragon-patterned bell was actually a fake?” Fusu was playing liubo chess by himself, using the very set taken from the liubo chess mansion. One of the owl pieces had a crack that someone had carefully mended with gold inlay.
“Yes, I tried many times before discovering it was completely useless.” Hu Hai deeply lowered his head, instinctively feeling he had forgotten something, but a voice in his mind kept telling him it didn’t matter if he couldn’t remember.
“Oh, perhaps that dragon-patterned bell’s effectiveness has faded.” Fusu seemed completely unconcerned and casually waved his hand: “There’s nothing else for now. You may go attend to your business.”
Hu Hai respectfully bowed to Fusu and backed out of the study, quietly closing the door.
Fusu casually scattered the six chopsticks in his palm, then according to the numbers shown by the upward-facing broken surfaces, moved a liubo piece on the board.
“Becoming owl while plotting, calling five whites.” Fusu murmured softly, reaching out to flip one of the pieces. On it was clearly written Hu Hai’s name in cinnabar.
Fusu held this piece and smiled lightly for a moment, then accurately picked up another piece from the board and flipped it over. Sure enough, three characters were also written on it in cinnabar.
Lu Zigang.
“It seems this game isn’t finished yet…” Fusu lowered his eyes and placed these two pieces back on the board, then showed an expectant smile.
“Bi, it’s been a long time since we played chess. How nostalgic…”