“These golden goose-necked, phoenix-tailed lamps were a birthday gift from Wan San,” he said slowly. “It wasn’t yet time to replace the wicks, yet you went out of your way to change them. You also made Spring Jelly, Wan San’s favorite dessert. You were testing me. Xia Xia, you’ve already guessed it, haven’t you? The reason I am forgoing the waterways and traveling by land… is to investigate Wan San’s disappearance. And you already know that my journey to Wu County is by imperial decree—to relocate the imperial mausoleum. I must first survey the land, excavate a new tomb, then open the old mausoleum, unearth the casket, and retrieve the remains of the imperial ancestor.”
His voice grew slower with each word. If he continued speaking, he would be violating the laws of the Dayong Empire.
A single tear fell from Xia Xia’s eyes. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Then… my lord, do you already have clues that Young Master Wan went missing because he met with misfortune? That he may even… be buried somewhere underground?”
Wang Cang Hai nodded and sighed again.
Lowering her head, Xia Xia wiped away her tears, but more kept falling. She choked on her words, “Had I known this would happen, I should have agreed five years ago when he asked for me. If I had been by his side, perhaps…”
“There is no ‘perhaps,’” Wang Cang Hai interrupted. “Xia Xia, this has nothing to do with you.”
Xia Xia wiped her eyes dry and forced a smile, but her eyes remained devoid of joy. “Forgive my lapse in composure, my lord. Please don’t take it to heart. I shall take my leave.”
“Wait.” Wang Cang Hai called out to her. “Stay and grind ink for me.”
Xia Xia nodded, sat down on a woven mat beside the desk, and carefully began grinding the inkstone.
Wang Cang Hai picked up his brush and continued writing his memorandum, speaking as he wrote: “In the Zuo Zhuan [a historical text from the Spring and Autumn period], there is a story called ‘A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty.’ Have you read it?”
Xia Xia replied, “I remember it, my lord. It is about Uncle Yu from the state of Yu during the Spring and Autumn period. By chance, he acquired a rare and precious jade. When his elder brother heard about it, he repeatedly asked Uncle Yu to give it to him. Helpless, Uncle Yu eventually handed over the jade. However, his brother’s greed was insatiable—after getting the jade, he demanded Uncle Yu’s treasured sword as well. Uncle Yu realized that his brother would never stop asking, and that no matter how many valuables he gave, his brother’s greed would only grow. He feared that one day, his brother would even go so far as to harm him for his possessions. So, rather than waiting for disaster to strike, Uncle Yu chose to strike first, killing his brother to eliminate the threat.”
Wang Cang Hai’s brush never stopped moving as he wrote line after line, detailing assignments for the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of War. Yet, even while concentrating on his writing, he continued speaking to Xia Xia. “I have a friend who, like Uncle Yu, unintentionally came into possession of a great treasure. Understanding the dangers of ‘possessing a treasure makes one guilty,’ he never revealed it to anyone. But there is no such thing as a wall without cracks—over time, his wife noticed something was amiss. She secretly followed him into his hidden chamber and uncovered the treasure’s existence.
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