Chapter 570 Catching the Thief 1
At this moment, Lin Yu and Guo Xiao rushed over and presented the Nine Phoenix Hairpin to Jiang Fenghua, asking, "Where did you get this hairpin?"
She was drunk last night and didn't remember, but Guo Xiao reminded her and she looked closely and felt that she had seen the jadeite somewhere before.
Jiang Fenghua said, "It was won."
"Where did you win it?"
"I just passed by a bookstore last night and there were quite a few people gathered there..." She briefly recounted what happened yesterday, which led to a minor argument with Xie Shang.
She glanced around and said in a deep voice, "Come with me."
Lin Yu pulled Jiang Fenghua back into the room and placed the swaying stool on the table. “Take a close look at these jade stones inlaid on it. Do they look familiar?”
Jiang Fenghua also looked at it carefully. "I don't remember it. I can only tell that it is top-quality jadeite. This set of jewelry is very valuable."
Xie Shang and the others also gathered around, but they didn't notice anything unusual.
Lin Yu said, "When Meng Yao took us to visit the exhibition hall on the second floor of the jade shop, I saw the top-quality jadeite on there. It was made by a master craftsman. This set of jewelry is from the lost batch. However, this hairpin has been modified, but I recognize these jadeite pieces. I even took a special look at the craftsmanship of the jadeite back then. I'm sure I'm not mistaken."
Jiang Fenghua also understood, "You mean this set of jewelry was stolen by bandits from a jade shop, and the owner of Fuguizhai is the leader of the bandits."
Lin Yu said, "This has been made into finished jewelry and has been modified. He can't openly take the original pieces out to sell. The government is still investigating the whereabouts of this batch of jade artifacts."
Xie Shang said, "Ran Heng probably never thought that someone would pass the level and win the prize, which is why he dared to use such valuable jewelry as a prize. I don't think his Fu Gui Zhai sells jewelry, but he was able to use the stolen items as a prize. It seems that he is also involved with the bandits."
He added, "He just happened to send an invitation to Ruan Ruan to go to Fu Gui Zhai. How did he know where Miss Jiang Ruan was staying? It was clearly premeditated! Or is someone following Ruan Ruan? Does Ruan Ruan have any enemies in Nangong?"
Lin Yu said, "Yes, we offended some bandits when we helped Meng Yao, but that person has already been killed by A Ruan. If Ran Heng is really Yang Guaizi's man, he must have had bad intentions in meeting with A Ruan."
Jiang Fenghua still found it strange. "Where we go is not something he can control. If he wanted to lure me with this set of jewelry, how would he know that I would definitely go to his stall to fight? With so many people, how would he know that I would definitely win? Our going to Fuguizhai was indeed a coincidence."
She added, "I just don't understand why he sent me an invitation to meet him. Don't you think it's too sudden for him to deliver the invitation directly to the inn and give it to me like that? How can he be so sure that I'll go? I don't even know him!"
Lin Yu said, "No matter what, you can't go. I'm worried it might be a trap."
Xie Shang said, "Why not go? You can't catch tiger cubs without going into the tiger's den. I'm going with Ruan Ruan to see what tricks he's up to. You and Jiang Jinyan should be on standby with your men."
Jiang Fenghua also said, "Since it has been confirmed that the jewelry in the jade shop is in his hands, Fuguizhai must be dirty. I also want to go and find out what's going on."
With Xie Shang by her side, she grew bolder and bolder, and she even carried a dagger on her person.
Fu Gui Zhai.
When Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang arrived at Fuguizhai, they sent someone to inform their boss.
A moment later, Ran Heng came out to greet her personally: "Miss Jiang, I apologize for inviting you here. It was really out of necessity. I didn't expect you to actually come, after all, we are complete strangers."
Jiang Fenghua asked, "How did Boss Ran know we were staying at the Happiness Inn?"
They had already looked up Fuguizhai before they came. It was just a study that sold writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and its business was usually so-so.
He only met them briefly last night, so he couldn't possibly know where they were staying unless they had already been followed.
Ran Heng had also prepared his words, "Actually, I met you a few days ago. You and another young lady came to my study to buy a book of miscellaneous notes. I heard you mention that you were really good at taking on the challenge alone last night. I admire you, so I wanted to ask you to come to my Fuguizhai to do me a small favor."
After hearing this, Jiang Fenghua suddenly realized that she and Lin Yu had indeed gone shopping. There was nothing to buy, so they just bought a book to read at home. She hadn't paid attention to the name of the bookstore.
She said, "I see."
Jiang Fenghua glanced at Xie Shang, surprised by the unexpected coincidence.
Xie Shang gestured, indicating that Ran Hengguo was merely trying to justify himself, which made it even more suspicious, and warned them to be careful.
He asked, "I wonder what favor Young Master Ran would like my fiancée to do?"
Ran Heng was somewhat embarrassed and explained, "I run a study, and I'd like to organize a tea and poetry gathering for literary friends. Firstly, I want to promote my study, and secondly, I want to make more friends with learned people to exchange ideas on poetry and literature. I admire Miss Jiang's knowledge and would like to ask for her advice. I would also like to invite Miss Jiang to attend. I believe that with such a beautiful and knowledgeable woman as Miss Jiang joining us, the banquet will be even more meaningful."
Xie Shang said, "We have no interest in such thankless and pretentious banquets."
"Don't worry, young master. If Miss Jiang is willing to help, the reward will certainly be generous. Actually, I am not hosting this banquet for the sake of being cultured, but to attract business to my study. It's the same principle as guessing lantern riddles and winning prizes on Mid-Autumn Festival night, to attract more people."
Ran Heng quickly explained, "I know you're not short of money, young master. We're all from the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it's fate that we met in a foreign land. Even if Miss Jiang doesn't help, having a cup of tea would be nice to boost the atmosphere!"
Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "There are many of us, Young Master Ran, you don't mind, do you?"
"I don't mind, Miss Jiang brought all her friends, it'll be more lively with more people!" Ran Heng had done his best. He knew that the other party's identity was definitely not ordinary, but he didn't dare to disobey Song Peng's orders.
Since he sent someone to the inn to deliver the invitation, they should have been wary and could have chosen not to come. But they still came.
At this moment, Ran Heng was also very nervous. He knew that Song Peng was hiding in the dark room, secretly listening to the commotion outside. He was not afraid of being betrayed, because Song Peng's men were also outside, disguised as guests, watching him.
Ran Heng then said, "I can show you and Miss Jiang around my study."
When Xie Shang and Jiang Fenghua entered the inn, they noticed something unusual. The people who came here should all be scholars and literati, but there were a few martial arts practitioners among them, and they would steal glances at them from time to time.
Ran Heng showed them around and introduced them to the various books and items sold in the study. He also cherished this study.
The study contained fire and explosives, making it almost impossible for him to protect it. Now he could only follow Song Peng's orders, otherwise his family would also be in danger.
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