Chapter 82 Will
After finishing their business in Qixia Village, Lu Yao and her group followed the path to her grandmother's small house.
When Lu Yao pushed open the mottled wooden door, her fingertips trembled slightly; the pear tree in the courtyard had grown taller again.
My grandmother passed away a year ago, and no one has taken care of this place.
The yard was overgrown with weeds and piled with withered leaves.
"No need..."
Just as Lu Yao was about to politely decline the Lingxiao Sect disciples' help, she saw them deftly roll up the sleeves of their Taoist robes.
Amidst the rustling sound of the broom sweeping across the blue bricks, Youxu muttered softly, "The spiritual energy here is incredibly rich."
With the concerted efforts of the Lingxiao Sect disciples, the small house gradually regained some of its former appearance.
The ground became clean and tidy, the weeds were cleared away, and the windows were wiped clean and looked brand new.
Just then, Lu Jianhong and Xie Yutong arrived late.
Xie Yutong looked exhausted. She was a pampered lady who always traveled in luxury cars and had never experienced the bumpy ride on mountain roads before.
Along the way, the car swayed on the rugged mountain road, and her stomach churned. She vomited from beginning to end, almost bringing up bile.
At this moment, her face was sallow and her steps were unsteady, but she still forced herself to walk up to Lu Yao and asked bluntly, "Yao Yao, do you know where Grandma's jade necklace is? When Grandma passed away, I searched the whole house inside and out, but I still couldn't find any trace of it."
Deep within Lu Yao's memory lies a clue to that jade cabochon necklace.
A dry and sunny day.
As usual, Grandma took out her treasured books to air them out.
While organizing the books, I came across some old items, including some sparkly jewelry.
It shone brightly under the sunlight.
The bewildered Lu Yao was immediately captivated.
Just then, Grandma's free-roaming orange cat suddenly appeared out of nowhere, snatched the jade earring, and ran away.
Lu Yao stumbled after it, afraid that it would swallow the earring, and finally pinned the cat down in the corner and snatched the emerald green earring back from its mouth.
Grandma took the earrings, her expression calm and serene.
It was as if the precious jewels in his hands were nothing more than a common leaf, utterly weightless.
Grandma gently stroked Lu Yao's head, "Yao Yao, remember what Grandma said, don't be deceived by things that are beautiful on the outside."
Lu Yao nodded as if she understood but not quite.
Afterwards, Grandma carefully put the pile of glittering jewelry into a gilded box and led Lu Yao to the pear tree in the courtyard.
Grandma picked up a hoe, dug a small hole under the tree, gently placed the box in, and then slowly filled it with soil.
Lu Yao watched from the side, curious but not asking any questions.
Grandma didn't explain much, she just smiled and patted the dirt off her hands.
Recalling these past events, Lu Yao seemed to vaguely see her grandmother sitting in a wicker chair, drying books.
Lu Yao walked slowly to the pear tree.
She crouched down, gently placing her palms on the damp soil, feeling the cool touch of the earth.
Slender fingers gripped the shovel handle, the tip of the shovel flashing a cold light in the sunlight.
The shovel precisely pierced three inches below the tree roots, and the soil was neatly turned over.
A gilded box lay there quietly, untouched by the passage of time, its gold-threaded patterns still gleaming.
Lu Yao took out the box and gently traced the engravings on it with her fingertips. "Is this what you're looking for?"
Xie Yutong's breathing faltered.
She knew that box all too well; it was her mother's favorite jewelry box, which she had watched her mother carefully open on countless afternoons.
"Yes, yes, yes."
Xie Yutong's voice trembled slightly with excitement, and her hands unconsciously reached forward.
The lid of the box was slowly lifted open a crack.
In an instant, a breathtaking emerald green light shone through.
When the box is fully opened, a complete set of jade cabochon jewelry shines brilliantly against the black velvet backdrop.
Earrings like dewdrops, necklaces like galaxies, rings like jade, and bracelets like a pool of spring water.
The emerald green was so vibrant and luscious that it seemed to draw one's very soul in.
Xie Yutong gasped, her chest heaving. "It's this set of jewelry!"
She strode forward, trying to snatch the box from Lu Yao's hands.
Lu Yao deftly turned to the side, simultaneously pulling out a yellowed sheet of paper from a hidden compartment in the box.
"It's my grandmother's will."
Xie Yutong's heart sank. She lunged forward frantically, yelling, "Give it to me!"
But Lu Yao had already carefully protected the paper to her chest.
"It says... her belongings, all her books, ancient texts, jewelry, and this small house, are all left to her granddaughter Lu Yao."
Lu Yao slowly read the contents of the will, her throat tightening slightly.
"Impossible, I am her biological daughter!"
Xie Yutong screamed, startling the sparrows in the tree.
Lu Jianhong stepped forward to support Xie Yutong, his expression shifting from initial confusion to shock and anger.
He frowned and questioned, "Lu Yao, did you forge this will? How could your grandmother leave everything to you but nothing to her own daughter?"
Emboldened by Lu Jianhong's support, Xie Yutong lunged at Lu Yao again, trying to snatch the box. "Give it back to me! That's my mother's property, and I have the right to inherit her things!"
Lu Yao dodged Xie Yutong's attack with a swift movement and held the will in front of the two of them.
The familiar, delicate calligraphy on the paper was both gentle and firm, revealing the old man's expectations for his granddaughter:
“We’ve depended on each other for years. I only have Yaoyao, and Yaoyao only has me. I always feel that Yaoyao will eventually recover and regain her senses. After I’m gone, Yaoyao will definitely have her own destiny. I’m not worried. Everything I have is left to Yaoyao to rely on.”
The contents of this letter are like a slap in the face; if it gets out, everyone will know that Xie Yutong is an unfilial daughter.
The two men's expressions were quite interesting as they scrutinized the situation intently, trying to find a flaw.
However, the suicide note ended with my grandmother's handwritten signature, her own small seal, and the red seal of the notary office.
Xie Yutong felt dizzy. She had put in so much effort, only to have it all go to someone else's benefit. She hadn't gotten anything in return!
Paying a million dollars didn't get them the jade; instead, Lu Yao got all the benefits.
This girl not only regained her senses, but also received a substantial inheritance.
Xie Yutong raised her head, looking at Lu Yao with resentment. "Until today, you were a fool. How could my mother possibly leave her entire inheritance to you? This will is definitely forged by you! We won't let this inheritance go so easily. See you in court!"
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