Chapter 180 Follow the Pearl

On the first day of December, after Li Huazhang finished inspecting the government office, he returned to have breakfast with Ming Huachang as usual. As soon as the two of them sat down, suddenly, the urgent voice of the government servant came from outside: "Governor, someone has reported a case!"

Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang looked at each other, and both of them restrained their expressions and became serious. It has been half a year since they came to Shangzhou. What they do most every day is to deal with the family's disputes and store troops and collect food. They have not encountered any major incidents. Today is the first time someone has reported a case.

Li Huazhang did not dare to be careless. He put down his chopsticks and asked the yamen runner to come to the main hall to ask: "Who reported the case?"

The bailiff took a deep breath and said, "It's the Feng family in the east of the city."

Ming Huashang signaled the maid to bring the food box. While she was covering the hot soup cake, she listened to what was said outside.

She knew that the Feng family was a well-known noble family in Shangzhou. Their ancestors all lived in Shangzhou, and they were involved in running schools and doing business. Over the years, they had formed a large network of relationships through marriage and supporting fellow students, which was much deeper than the foundation of the governor. Some time ago, when Li Huazhang wanted to build a road, he had to go to the Feng family to ask old lady Feng to come forward as a lobbyist. The Feng family was so powerful, who would dare to offend them?

Ming Huachang had just finished thinking when she heard Li Huazhang ask, "Why did the Feng family report the case?"

"Old Mistress Feng said that when he opened his eyes today, he saw a letter nailed to the head of the bed. Miao Shoukongkong, who had been missing for more than 20 years, wrote in the letter that he heard that the Feng family had a treasure and asked them to prepare it in advance. He would come to get it at midnight three days later. Old Mistress Feng was angry that this guy was too arrogant, so she came to ask King Yong to administer justice."

Li Huazhang asked: "Who is Miaoshoukongkong?"

"Twenty years ago, a wandering knight became famous for his ability to steal. He called himself a thief saint and said that there was nothing he could not steal. Twenty years ago, he was surrounded by the government and several big families and disappeared for many years. We all thought he was dead, but he is still alive."

Li Huazhang knew the wealthy families in Chang'an and Luoyang very well, but he knew nothing about the wandering knights, especially since this was a man from twenty years ago who had returned to the underworld. Li Huazhang did not dare to be careless and immediately asked his men to prepare horses and head to Feng Mansion.

Ming Huashang was really curious about why a thief would send a visiting invitation before stealing something, so she changed her clothes and followed Li Huazhang to Feng's house.

The gate of the Feng family was full of patrolmen. The butler paced back and forth on the steps, looking very anxious. When he saw Li Huazhang coming, he hurried down and shouted from a distance: "Your Highness Prince Yong, you are finally here. Our master has been waiting for a long time, please come in!"

After saying this, the butler wanted to go inside, but found that Li Huazhang did not follow. He turned around unexpectedly and saw Li Huazhang dismounting, stopping in front of the carriage, and helping the people inside get off. The butler woke up from his dream when he saw the woman, and hurriedly came to greet her: "Princess Yong, you are here too! It's my fault that my eyes are blurry and I didn't see you, please forgive me!"

Li Huazhang held Ming Huashang's hand as they got out of the car. After she stood still, he said calmly, "We are here for official business today. No need to be polite."

The housekeeper knew that Prince Yong didn't like pomp and circumstance, so he smiled and said yes, and led the couple into the mansion. In the Feng Mansion, Old Lady Feng was already waiting in the lobby. When he saw Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang coming in, he leaned on his cane, and each step made a heavy knocking sound, and led his two sons to greet them: "I am here to see Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

Old Lady Feng was about to bow. Everyone in Shangzhou knew that Old Lady Feng had a bad leg. How could Li Huazhang dare to let such a respected village elder bow to him? He stopped Old Lady Feng and said, "I am here today for official business. There is no need for you to be polite. I wonder where the letter is now?"

After Li Huazhang stopped him, Old Lady Feng stood up slowly with the help of her cane and said calmly, "I am an incompetent man, but I feel ashamed to trouble Prince Yong with my own household affairs. I have prepared a welcoming banquet for you, Prince and Princess. Why don't you take a seat and have a cup of hot tea first?"

"No need." Li Huazhang said, "If what is said in the letter is true, thieves will come to the Feng family to steal treasures in three days. As the governor of Shangzhou, protecting the property of the people under my rule is the most important thing. Let's read the letter first."

Li Huazhang insisted, and Old Lady Feng stopped insisting. She sat back on her seat with her heavy cane and said, "Prince Yong really loves his people like his own children. He is honest and upright. Erlang, go get the things."

A young man behind Old Lady Feng responded and turned to walk to the back. Ming Huashang followed Li Huazhang to sit down and quickly scanned the people in the hall.

Needless to say, although Old Lady Feng has a bad leg, he has a powerful aura. He sits in the main seat with a pinewood cane, and looks like he has the final say. The man that Old Lady Feng just told about looks young, with bright eyes, a heroic look, and a handsome appearance. In comparison, the other man behind Old Lady Feng is very dull. He has a big belly and is not as good-looking as the other man. His timid temperament makes his already mediocre appearance even more discounted.

The Feng family is a large family in Shangzhou, with branches in all walks of life, but the bloodline of this generation is not rich. Old Master Feng has only two sons, the eldest son Feng Kun, who is over thirty years old, and the second son Feng Xun, who has just turned twenty-five. Ming Huashang knew what was going on. It seemed that the man who took the order and left was Feng Xun, the second son of the Feng family, and the one who stayed with Old Master Feng with an indignant look on his face was the eldest son Feng Kun.

Ming Huachang had long heard that Old Master Feng relied more on his second son and that he would bypass his eldest son and hand over matters to his second son. Seeing this today, she realized that the Feng family's reputation of the young being strong and the old being weak was indeed true.

After a while, Feng Jue came back with a tray in his hand. He stopped in front of Old Lady Feng, and when Old Lady Feng gestured, he held the tray in front of Li Huazhang with both hands and said, "Your Highness Prince Yong, please."

Li Huazhang opened the envelope, scanned it quickly, and then handed the letter to Ming Huashang. Ming Huashang took it and saw the following words written in regular script:

"The Feng family personally opened

I heard that the Feng family has a lost treasure that is priceless. I am delighted to see the treasure. You should wipe the dust off the treasure carefully in the next few days. I will come to take it at midnight three days later.

——The wonderful hands are left empty. "

After reading the contents of the letter, Ming Huashang carefully studied the handwriting and the letter paper, and asked, "Where did you find this letter? Has anyone been able to identify the words on it?"

Old Mistress Feng knew that Princess Yong was the younger sister of Prince Yong when he was fostered in a minister's home. He loved this princess very much and did not even shy away from doing official business with her. Therefore, Old Mistress Feng did not show any strangeness to Ming Huashang and replied, "Reporting to Princess, I asked someone to examine it as soon as I woke up, but the paper is the most common paper, and no one has ever seen the handwriting on it."

Ming Huashang said slowly, "Can I see the place where Mr. Feng first found this letter?"

The attendants on both sides showed hesitation, but Old Master Feng was very calm and said, "Of course, I am in your humble abode. I am grateful to Prince Yong and Princess Yong for not minding you. Prince and Princess, please come this way."

Old Lady Feng was walking slowly in the corridor of the Feng family, leaning on a cane, leading the way for Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang. Feng Luanhe supported Old Lady Feng's other arm, and the housekeeper, servants and others gathered behind him. Old Lady Feng's eldest son Feng Kun was squeezed outside and could not even say a word.

As they walked, Old Lady Feng introduced the Feng family's courtyard to the two of them. Several generations of the Feng family had lived here. The garden had been expanded and renovated many times, and the small bridges and flowing water changed the scenery. It was much more spacious than the garden of the governor's mansion. Li Huazhang was still aloof and spoke very little along the way. On the contrary, Ming Huashang smiled and responded from time to time. While the group was talking, they arrived at the main house.

The news that Prince Yong and Princess Yong were coming to the main house had already spread. As they approached, a maid in a silver-red double-breasted jacket and a royal blue dress came out from behind the curtain. Seeing the visitors, she saluted gracefully and said, "Hello, old lady. Long live Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

Ming Huachang's eyes lit up. This woman was beautifully dressed, well-spoken, and beautiful. Although she was dressed like a servant, her demeanor was no less than that of a rich lady. Seeing this, Old Lady Feng smiled and said, "This is Baozhu, my maidservant. She has never seen the world. I am sorry to have embarrassed Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

Li Huazhang just nodded indifferently, sticking to his talkativeness. Ming Huashang smiled and said, "No, Madam Baozhu is so kind, and she is not stingy with the maids from the noble families in the two capitals. Mr. Feng really manages the family well."

Old Lady Feng said something but her face showed satisfaction. Baozhu was neither proud nor timid after receiving the compliment. She thanked him graciously and opened the curtain to invite everyone in.

After everyone entered the house, Baozhu once again instructed the maid to watch the seats and serve tea, and she arranged for everyone to be well-prepared. The people of the Feng family looked normal, and they were obviously used to this kind of thing. Ming Huashang silently scanned the crowd and said slowly, "Mr. Feng, I wonder where you found the threatening letter?"

"Here." Before Old Lady Feng could move, Baozhu had already hung up the pearl curtains, then stepped forward to support Old Lady Feng and walked back step by step. As Old Lady Feng moved, he used his cane to instruct Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang: "I drank a calming tea last night and slept very deeply. This morning I woke up a quarter of an hour later than usual. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw an arrow stuck in the bed frame opposite me, and a letter nailed underneath. It was the letter that the prince and princess just saw."

Li Huazhang went forward to check the traces, nodded slightly after a moment, and said calmly: "It is indeed an arrow. Was the bed curtain lowered last night?"

Baozhu stood at the back and replied, "Replying to Prince Yong, after I helped the old lady to sleep, I put away the candles and hooks. Before I left, I checked carefully and found that the doors, windows and curtains were all closed, with no gaps at all."

Li Huazhang put his finger through the curtain, flipped it for a while, then walked to the window and asked, "Did you touch the window?"

Baozhu shook her head: "No. This morning I heard the old lady calling and rushed in. The door and window were closed at that time, and I didn't notice anything else in the room. Later, the old lady felt that the room was stuffy, so I opened the window."

Li Huazhang just hummed and didn't say anything, but Ming Huashang had known him for so long that she could hear the meaning behind his shallow "hmm".

他是說帷幔上并沒有破洞，窗戶也沒有損壞，那就意味着，對方是站在屋裏，朝封老太爺床頭射了一箭。

這麽近的距離，完全可以射死封老太爺，但對方只是留了一封信。這個盜賊的所作所為，實在不同尋常。

明華裳想到了便問：“封老，敢問此賊信中的失傳至寶是何物？”

封老太爺嘆了口氣，扶着拐杖說：“老朽仰慕雍王德行，便不拿那些虛話糊弄二位，直說了罷。早年老朽游歷時，無意覓得一珠寶，賣主說此為随侯之珠。後來楚國伐随，随侯珠落入楚國，楚國又被秦滅亡，随侯珠和楚國公主一起進獻給秦王，秦亡後，随侯珠便不見下落。老朽本以為此物只是傳聞，沒想到竟看到了真品。老朽不忍如此珍寶流落在外，便高價将其買下，藏于家中。老朽從未和人提過此物，哪怕兩個兒子都不知曉，卻不知如何被外人聽去，還借此來威逼利誘。”

明華裳聽到“随珠”，頗為驚訝：“可是與和氏璧并稱随珠和璧的随侯珠？”

封老太爺點頭：“正是。”

明華裳發出驚嘆，封老太爺見狀，對寶珠說道：“寶珠，把随珠拿出來，請雍王妃過目。”

明華裳忙說不用，然而寶珠已應了一聲走了。沒過多久，寶珠捧着一個檀木盒回來，屈膝捧在明華裳面前：“雍王妃，請。”

說着，她打開木盒，明華裳都來不及拒絕就看到了裏面的明珠。

珠盈徑寸，純白，在檀木中散發着明月般的光輝，難怪古書說“流懸黎之夜光，綴随珠以為燭”。明華裳嘆為觀止，但謹記瓜田李下，再喜歡也沒有拿起來看，免得以後出了什麽問題賴她。她示意寶珠将木盒收起，由衷贊道：“果真極美，怪不得古人稱其為明月珠。”

封老太爺看到明華裳喜歡，立即說道：“雍王妃喜歡，乃是封家的福分，若雍王妃不嫌，老朽願将此珠獻予雍王妃。”

明華裳本是無心之言，女人看到珠寶總沒有讨厭的，這顆夜明珠确實漂亮，她就大大方方稱贊，誰能想到封老太爺竟然要送給她。明華裳吓了一跳，連忙推辭：“此乃封家愛物，我怎可橫刀奪愛？我對珠寶首飾只是泛泛，并不了解，封老不可，莫辱沒了珍寶。”

明華裳是發自真心不想要，珠寶再美也是外物，人賦予它們價值，它們就是價值連城的寶物，若是沒有人，那不過是一堆石頭。明華裳對金銀珠寶向來随緣，有固然好，沒有也不強求，随珠這麽大的名氣，連失蹤多年的神偷都念念不忘，明華裳可不敢要。

奈何封老太爺看了卻認定她是客氣，一定要送給她。明華裳堅決不要，在背後用力拽李華章的袖子。李華章感受到她的求助之意，适時說道：“封老，我與夫人來是為了抓盜賊，并非為了外物。夫人喜歡自然，無意外在，望封老将随珠收好，莫要為難我們了。若您執意相送，我們只能告辭了。”

李華章語氣淺淡但堅定，說到告辭擲地有聲，沒有一點商量的意思。封老太爺見明華裳是真的不想收，這才遺憾道：“王妃高義，是老朽冒昧了。老朽自從收到奸賊的信後，惶惶不安，連神志都不清醒了，得罪之處，望雍王、王妃莫怪。”

明華裳笑了笑，自然道無妨，封老太爺客套了兩句，說：“不瞞王爺王妃，老朽收到信後就加強了防衛，已将府裏所有家丁都調到主院周圍，定要讓此賊有來無回。但賊子昨夜能悄無聲息潛入我的寝室，保不齊還有什麽神通，随珠價值不菲，老朽大半身家都壓在上面，實在不敢讓它冒險吶。還望雍王、王妃施以援手，助老朽捉拿賊子，保全家産。”

說着封老太爺顫顫巍巍下拜，李華章忙扶住對方，正容說：“封老放心，我們今日來就是為了解決賊子，還商州安寧。不知封老對随珠有何安排？”

封老太爺見李華章願意插手此事，再次高聲道謝，說：“多謝雍王、雍王妃仗義援手，老朽感激不盡。老朽粗粗想了幾道應對之策，府內有一摘星樓，共三層，唯有一口可出入，三樓更是毫無遮擋，就算一只鳥飛過都明明白白。老朽想借摘星樓之勢守寶，将随珠藏于三樓，并命人把守出口，便是只蒼蠅來了都插翅難飛。這只是老朽陋見，不足之處，望雍王不吝賜教。”

李華章沉吟：“聽起來可行，但随珠如此小巧，完全可以藏在身上，若盜賊混入換班隊伍中，巡邏人越多，越容易被鑽空子。”

“老朽知道，所以老朽還有一妙計。”封老太爺示意寶珠拿東西，寶珠叫進來幾個小厮，三四個人合力才呲牙咧嘴搬出一座玄鐵匣子，寶珠當着衆人的面将檀木盒放入鐵匣中，然後将鐵匣鎖上。封老太爺說道：“這是我為了藏寶特意定制的機關箱，只有按正确順序轉動下面十個齒輪才能打開，不然機關箱就會射出毒針。這個箱子由精鐵打造，十分沉重，三個成年男子才能抱動，若将此箱搬到摘星樓三樓，再在出口處布下天羅地網，莫說盜賊，就算是天上的神仙下凡也無計可施。”

李華章聽完，說：“既然封老已有決斷，我自無異議。不過，封老可确定随侯珠無恙”

封老太爺聽着這話緊張起來：“雍王此言何意？”

李華章如實說：“昨夜賊子潛入寝室射箭留信，卻未對封老做什麽，我原先以為他是嘩衆取寵，現在想想，也有可能他并不知随珠藏在何處，所以故意留下一封信，詐封老将東西拿出來。”

封老太爺一聽頓生緊張：“老朽并未想這麽長遠，一看到信就立刻讓人去拿随珠，莫非，正中了賊子奸計？”

李華章說：“已經發生的事情，再多思也無益。封老，您取随珠後，可有人經手？”

封老太爺沉沉說道：“唯有老朽和心腹。雍王放心，老朽一早就查過，随珠是真的，并未被人調換。”

“那就好。”李華章說，“随珠現在已被封入機關箱中，賊人若想盜寶，要麽向知情人騙密碼，要麽将機關箱直接搬走，您小心防備這兩條，就能預防盜賊。若府上人手不夠，我可以從刺史府調人過來，封老有需要盡管開口。”

封老太爺聽到大喜過望，顫巍巍道謝：“多謝雍王，老朽感激不盡。”

明華裳冷眼注視着這一切，眸光一轉，掃到旁邊的封家人。二郎君封铻還算平靜，但大郎封锟的眼睛緊緊黏在機關上，仿佛恨不得穿過鐵片，将寶物掏出來。

明華裳心裏輕輕啧了聲，看樣子，封二郎知不知道密碼不好說，但封大郎肯定是不知道的。封锟身為長子，竟然還不如老太爺身邊的丫鬟。

看寶珠熟稔随意的樣子，顯然她早就知道随珠的存在，并且是除封老太爺外，另一個掌握機關密碼的人。

李華章和封老太爺商量官兵巡邏安排，不知不覺間到了午飯時分。封老太爺盛情邀請李華章、明華裳留下用飯，從府衙調人過來也需要時間，李華章見封老太爺執意，就沒有推辭。

封家早就準備好筵席，封家的女眷在宴會廳等着，明華裳才靠近，她們就忙不疊迎出來：“給雍王妃請安。早就聽聞雍王妃年輕貌美，今日才有緣見到王妃真容，果然百聞不如一見。”

明華裳笑着寒暄。她記得封老太爺妻子已故，并未續娶，女兒們俱已嫁人，現在并不在家裏，為首的兩個女子看打扮不像妾室侍女，那就是封老太爺的兒媳婦，封锟、封铻的妻子封大太太、封二太太了。

寒暄過後，賓主落座。女客和男客分席，李華章那邊不知道，但女賓的席面設在一個涼亭中，四周小橋流水，草木垂落，殘雪薄薄覆在樹枝上，宛如仙境，而亭子四角放了火盆，烤得亭內溫暖如春。

菜肴一道道端上來，明華裳不知道他們廚房設在哪裏，但在十二月的天氣裏穿過一個花園，上桌時菜還是熱氣騰騰的，明華裳忍不住感嘆封家會享受。封二太太端詳着明華裳的臉色，說：“我們小門小戶，不及世家大族的排場，聽聞王妃出自長安鎮國公府，應當看不上我們這寒酸席面吧。”

“哪裏。”明華裳道，“封府管着這麽多人還能井井有條，我看着極為佩服。娘子掌家有方，改日，我還想和娘子讨教一二。”

封二太太聽着笑了，緩緩扇動團扇，推辭道：“王妃謬贊，妾身出身鄉野，哪比得上王妃門第高貴，論掌管中饋自不敢和長安貴人比，不過出些辛苦力罷了。”

Ming Huashang smiled and responded, but noticed from the corner of her eye that Mrs. Feng rolled her eyes. Ming Huashang secretly kept these lawsuits in mind. From what the Second Mistress said, the power to manage the inner court of the Feng Mansion was also in the hands of the Second House. It seemed that not only was Feng Erlang favored by the old lady, but even among the female family members, the Second Mistress was in charge.

Old Lady Feng is really biased.

This was someone else's family affair. Ming Huashang was here to catch thieves. She ignored everything else. Ming Huashang sat at the same table with someone she didn't know. She had no appetite at all. She took a few bites and put down her chopsticks. Seeing this, Mrs. Feng asked the maid to bring her some tea for rinsing her mouth and asked, "Princess, is the food not to your liking?"

"No." Ming Huashang said with a guilty conscience, "I have a small appetite and can't eat much."

Mrs. Feng understood and said, "I am sorry for being so rude. The princess is a daughter of a rich family, but she came to the Feng family to help because of the thief. I am really grateful. I really hope that my husband and father-in-law can catch the thief as soon as possible, so that there won't be so many people coming and going and making trouble for everyone."

Ming Huashang saw this and said, "Don't worry, my lady. Prince Yong will send troops from the government office soon. With so many people guarding the Feng Mansion, that thief won't be able to do anything."

"That's good." Mrs. Feng II scolded, "I don't know where this thief came from. He is so arrogant that he dares to target the Feng family and even threatens to steal treasures in three days. If we catch this thief, we will tear him into pieces."

Mrs. Feng curled her lips and sneered, "I'm afraid it's still unknown whether it's a blessing or a curse. I heard that the bead is cursed and whoever touches it will die. I don't know why father-in-law treats it as a treasure and hides it from us. In my opinion, it's a good thing that it was stolen by thieves so that it won't stay in the Feng family and cause harm to the whole mansion."

Madam Feng II glanced at Madam Feng I and pursed her lips, obviously unhappy. Ming Huashang pretended not to notice the dirty tricks between the sisters-in-law and asked curiously, "There is a curse on the Suihou Pearl? How do you say that?"

Mrs. Feng was the eldest daughter-in-law but she had no control over the money, and she had long been dissatisfied. After the thief's challenge today, she found out that her father-in-law had hidden a priceless jewel and did not tell the eldest wife.

The old hatred and new hatred were added together. Madam Feng became more and more angry. She said in a burst of words: "That's right. This pearl is called Suihou Pearl. It was originally in the hands of Suihou. Then the Sui Kingdom was destroyed. Later, it came to the palace of Chu Kingdom. The King of Chu gave it to the most favored princess. But not long after, Chu Kingdom was also destroyed. The princess died miserably. Even a man as tough as Qin Shihuang could not escape the destruction of his country. The king and the princess could not control it, let alone the common people? The previous owner of Suihou Pearl was originally a merchant. Not long after he got it, his family was destroyed. Now it has come to our family. How can it be a good omen?"

"Sister-in-law, what nonsense are you saying in front of the princess?" Madam Feng II frowned and scolded, "If you don't know, you might think you are cursing someone to death."

Baozhu, the head maid, was in charge of serving the dishes. Seeing that the first and second wives were indeed quarreling, she hurriedly said, "Madam, you have misinterpreted what you said. The Suihou Pearl is the most auspicious object. It is a token of gratitude from the spirit snake."

"Oh?" Ming Huashang became even more curious and turned to Baozhu, "What do you mean?"

Baozhu is someone close to Old Lady Feng and manages his finances. She can accurately tell where many things are that Old Lady Feng can't even remember, so everyone in the mansion gives her some face, and Baozhu can also interrupt in front of her master. She continued, "Legend has it that one year, Suihou, the monarch of Sui State, went out hunting and saw a wounded snake on the roadside. Suihou felt pity for the snake and ordered his men to bandage it and release it into the bushes. Not long after, he dreamed of a snake carrying a night-shining pearl and coming to the palace. It said it was the son of the Dragon King and came to thank Suihou for saving its life and to repay him. After waking up, Suihou found a night-shining pearl on the candlestick. It was the Suihou Pearl, and because it was carried by a snake, it was also called the Spirit Snake Pearl. Pearls as big as pigeon eggs are rare. If it wasn't from the Dragon Palace, how could there be such a big pearl?"

Ming Huashang smiled and clapped her hands, saying, "That makes sense. I didn't expect Baozhu to be so knowledgeable that he even knows these allusions."

Baozhu smiled and said, "I just followed the old lady and heard and saw a lot. I don't dare to take the praise of the princess."

Mrs. Feng Er secretly glanced at Mrs. Feng and also echoed the words of good luck. Mrs. Feng was not angry and murmured in a low voice: "Snake is the most unpredictable and ungrateful thing, and the things it spits out are very evil. None of the owners of Suihou beads have a good end. Believe it or not, they can't spread it anyway. In my hands."

Ming Huashang heard the first wife's grumbling, but she pretended not to notice. She was forced to get involved in the internal strife between the two branches of the Feng family, and it was exhausting to listen to the two sisters-in-law talking about other people's affairs. Fortunately, Li Huazhang came to pick her up soon. Ming Huashang breathed a sigh of relief, said goodbye to the first and second wives, and followed the maid to find Li Huazhang.

Li Huazhang saw her and apologized, "Sorry to have kept you waiting. Let's go back home now."

Ming Huashang shook her head: "It doesn't matter. I wanted to follow the Feng family anyway. So, has the defense at Old Lady Feng's place been arranged?"

"Almost there." Li Huazhang pointed to a three-story attic in front of him and said, "That's the Zhaixing Tower. The iron box has been moved to the third floor. I checked it myself. There is only one exit in the Zhaixing Tower. There is no other way. The exit is patrolled twelve hours a day. Unless there is an insider in their family, it is impossible for the thieves to sneak in, and they can't take anything away if they sneak in."

Ming Huashang nodded and asked curiously, "So why did the so-called thief send the invitation in advance? Now that everyone is watching, how can he steal the treasure?"

Li Huazhang said calmly, "Twenty years have passed. It's hard to say whether he is still alive. Who knows whether it is true or not? Maybe someone wants to use his name to cause trouble. Just wait and see in three days."