Ink Jade Token

The government office prison.

Xu Lanxin arrived at the prison early and took out the portrait she had been carrying to show Hong Fu.

As for the portrait, it was of course drawn based on the witch's description, depicting the person who bought the Dream Lotus.

When the portrait was finished, it shocked everyone present. No one expected that a single ink stick could create such a lifelike portrait.

Only one person remained relatively calm, because he had already witnessed it before.

"This is..."

Hong Fu held the painting, hesitated for a moment, and frowned slightly.

"She was like a maidservant working for Xian'er."

Xian'er? Could it be that she guessed wrong, and the case is actually that simple, without any twists and turns?

Are you sure you're Xian'er's person?

Hong Fu's expression froze, and his eyes showed some uncertainty.

"I... I'm not so sure. I only happened to pass by Xian'er's room once and saw her carrying clothes out of the room."

Xu Lanxin looked at her, thinking that it was normal for her not to know, given her personality; she would have to find out herself.

Seeing that Qinglu had finished applying the medicine and that she couldn't get any more information from her, she didn't linger any longer.

"Take good care of yourself. If we can find this person, you will be able to clear your name."

Hongfu's eyes immediately filled with gratitude, but she couldn't bring herself to be too overly enthusiastic with people, so she simply nodded to express her thanks.

"Thank you, Madam."

Xu Lanxin returned to the post station and wanted to tell Cen Yan the result, but he was not there. Instead, she was greeted by several strangers.

He was said to be some kind of manager in the ghost market.

The man who arrived was in his thirties, followed by several servants, each carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.

Upon seeing Xu Lanxin, the head steward immediately beamed with joy and offered a slightly flattering bow.

"I have come to greet you, Madam. I apologize for disturbing your peace and quiet."

"If you know you're disturbing us, why did you even come here?"

Xu Lanxin felt a little uneasy. She didn't understand why the people from the Ghost Market wanted to see her. She didn't really want to have any dealings with a place like the Ghost Market.

"Madam is too kind. Yesterday, you saved my master. To express our gratitude, my master specifically instructed me to deliver this gift to you."

The steward straightened up, waved his hand, and the servants behind him lined up in a row.

He walked over and uncovered them one by one.

Gold, silver, pearls, and rare medicinal herbs were piled on the tray.

Xu Lanxin's pupils contracted, as if a cat's claw was scratching at her heart, trying to lure her in.

She quickly became serious and said, "Saving people yesterday was just a small favor. I have received your thanks. Please take these things back with you."

"If Madam doesn't accept it, I won't be able to go back and explain myself!"

"I insist."

The manager was speechless for a moment, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Green, see the guests off."

Xu Lanxin had just turned around to leave when the steward behind her called her back again.

“If you don’t want to accept these gifts, then please accept this one. It will make it easier for us to report back.”

He presented a round piece of black jade with his hands raised upwards, engraved with intricate patterns and the character "night" in the center.

"This is..."

"This token will grant you unrestricted access to the black market, and you'll receive a 50% discount on information obtained from the Shadow Pavilion."

"Does this mean it's exclusive to VIP users?"

This is definitely a free admission ticket! I want it!

"Madam, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Seeing his puzzled expression, Xu Lanxin offered no explanation.

"That's not important."

I really want it!

Xu Lanxin's eyes were practically glued shut.

Cen Yan, who was standing at the door, saw Xu Lanxin staring at the piece of black jade. He had just entered the room when he heard the steward's words.

Therefore, this piece of black jade is very heavy.

A cold, white hand came into view and took away the piece of black jade.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

As soon as she looked up, Xu Lanxin saw Cen Yan. The words she was about to say to him were swallowed back, replaced by joy.

"Why are you back?"

Cen Yan smiled at her but didn't reply. Instead, he looked at the steward.

“Go back and report to your master that I have accepted this token on behalf of my wife.”

Xu Lanxin tugged at his sleeve from behind, looking somewhat hesitant.

"You don't want it?"

Cen Yan handed the ink jade to her.

"Yes, yes."

She grabbed the black jade, a bright smile on her face.

After seeing off the black market manager, Xu Lanxin told Cen Yan about the information she had obtained from Hong Fu that day.

He then ordered Qingyun to go to the government office to recruit people to go to the Red Chamber and arrest the people for interrogation.

"This makes me feel like my IQ has been rubbed into the ground. Why do you think Xian'er would use something with obvious features to identify herself to commit a crime?"

Xu Lanxin couldn't help but ask what was on her mind.

"Whether it is or not, we'll know once the person is caught. If it weren't for her, seeing such a commotion, some people would have already become restless."

"Um,"

Qingyu and Qinglu brought in the food and set it out, and Xu Lanxin realized that it was already lunchtime.

These were all her favorite dishes, making her mouth water.

During the meal, I thought about the ink jade.

"Zijin, why would the black market owner give me something so valuable? Is there really nothing wrong with it?"

"Let's wait and see, there's no need to worry too much. Let's eat first!"

After saying that, he picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in her bowl, smiling indulgently.

Inside the Shadow Pavilion.

After the steward who delivered the gift returned, he reported the matter to the man in black who was in a higher position.

"She only accepted the token; she's quite clever."

After hearing this, the man in black smirked.

"How is she? Does she look the same as in the portrait?"

The manager hesitated, as if afraid of disappointing him.

"What? Doesn't it look like it?"

"Your Majesty, the lady looks about 80% like the portrait, but she is very young, no more than twenty years old."

The person in the portrait is likely not the same person.

After saying that, she lowered her eyes, not wanting to see his disappointed look.

The man chuckled.

"Yeah?"

He looked up and saw his master, his eyes burning with interest, showing no sign of disappointment whatsoever.

Inside the Red Building.

Qingyun and his constables quickly surrounded the Red Mansion.

"My lord, my lord, I still need to open the door to welcome guests!"

The madam rushed to him in a panic.

Qingyun unfolded the portrait.

“The person depicted in the portrait is recognizable.”

The madam was stunned, somewhat taken aback.

"My lord, may I ask what crime the person in the portrait has committed?"

Such a grand display.

Qingyun said coldly, "You dare to question the officials? Hand over this woman immediately. Otherwise, we'll arrest everyone from your Red Pavilion."

The madam shrank back in fright and dared not speak, ordering a servant to take the officers to arrest the man.

Who is Fairy?

The people from the Red Mansion who were originally standing together took a step back, leaving a woman in white alone in front, which looked a bit out of place.

The woman looked nervous, clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand.

"You are Xian'er. Guards, take her away."

Qingyun waved to the constables behind him.

The madam panicked and tried to pull the man away.

"Sir, sir, why is this happening? Our Xian'er is..."

After being glared at by Qingyun, she suddenly fell silent and dared not act rashly again.

A short while later, the person in the portrait was brought out by the bailiffs.

There was no sign of panic on her face, as if she had expected it all along.

Then, a constable jogged over from the other direction and whispered something in Qingyun's ear.

Qingyun nodded slightly and gave the man a wink, after which the man and his men left.

The madam was wailing on the side, but Qingyun didn't even give her a look. He led the yamen runners away from the Red Mansion in a grand procession.

Only the madam remained, lying on the ground, beating her chest and wailing.

The two most famous courtesans of the Red Mansion have both been imprisoned. What a mess!