Ch 535: Call Xiaolian Over

Jing Chunxi stood in the center of the room, her gaze fixed on the blueprint spread out before her. Her eyes moved back and forth over the gatekeeper’s position on the blueprint, her fingers lightly tapping the table, producing a soft sound.

A Qi stood to one side. Seeing Jing Chunxi’s gaze remain fixed on the gatekeeper’s position, he quickly explained, “This gatekeeper is an old man in his sixties. It is said that when he was young, he saved the Grand Tutor’s life, and thus received the Grand Tutor’s appreciation and protection.

However, that rescue also left him with a hidden illness, causing him to become both deaf and mute, and also making his temper quite volatile. Anyone who dares to approach the gatehouse where he lives will be met with yelling and cursing, and he might even resort to violence.

Except for using the privy, he rarely goes out. He even just uses half a bucket of water to wipe himself, living a very simple life.”

After listening to A Qi’s explanation, Jing Chunxi chuckled lightly, “Heh!” She said dismissively, “I’m afraid this is a hidden expert. Besides the Master, perhaps only he knows the secret beneath the ground.”

This time, Jing Yi wasn’t interested in Jing Chunxi’s cleverness. When they discovered the entrance was located at the gatekeeper’s position, the gatekeeper’s role in guarding the secret passage was already clear, so there was no need to discuss it further.

Seeing that Jing Chunxi seemed to have forgotten her original purpose in looking at the blueprint, Jing Yi couldn’t help but remind her, “Xi’er, pay attention to the backyard. See which small courtyard matches your dream…” He suddenly realized that A Qi was also present, and quickly changed his words, “Most of the courtyards are similar, Xi’er, examine them carefully to see what’s different.”

His voice was low and powerful, with a hint of urgency in his tone. He clearly hoped that Jing Chunxi could quickly find the key clues. This reminder made Jing Chunxi remember what she should focus on.

But she didn’t immediately focus her gaze on the backyard in the blueprint. Instead, she looked at another mark indicating a house containing treasure. This mark wasn’t in the backyard, but in the front yard, next to the central Main Hall.

Jing Chunxi glanced at it and knew it was completely different from the scene in her dream. Because the front yard didn’t have any small courtyards, and the orientation of the houses was also different from her memory.

She shook her head and finally turned her gaze to the large backyard. Jing Chunxi’s eyes scanned the entire backyard, finally settling on a relatively secluded small courtyard.

This small courtyard was located in a corner of the backyard, directly against the wall. The courtyard was large, but the layout was very simple, facing south. Directly opposite the entrance was a row of six rooms, which was the only building in the courtyard. This simple and unadorned layout was clearly not suitable for a master of the manor.

The courtyard was located at the very edge of the backyard. Beyond it, through a Moon Gate, was the back garden. To its left, separated by a small path, was another courtyard, but its layout was relatively better; it was a two-courtyard house. Courtyards like this usually housed unfavored illegitimate daughters or concubines of the manor, or were used to receive ordinary guests.

Across a fairly wide main road opposite the courtyard were other houses and courtyards. Jing Chunxi pointed to the small courtyard and said, “This small courtyard’s orientation is correct, and the opposite and left sides seem to be similar, but the right side…” She frowned, trying to recall the state of the courtyard’s right side in her dream, then looked at the location of the back garden, still a little unsure.

Her fingers gently rubbed the blueprint, as if trying to evoke more memories through touch.

A Qi stood aside, seeing Miss so serious, and the Big Boss watching Miss very cautiously, afraid of missing a single glance. Although he didn’t know what they were doing, he knew that this matter was very important for their next actions.

A Qi also had his own guess. Miss must have been to this courtyard before, and was now trying to recall what it looked like. His gaze darted back and forth between Jing Chunxi and the blueprint, trying to find some clues.

Jing Yi saw Jing Chunxi standing there blankly, a look of hesitation on her face, and knew she wasn’t entirely sure, or that her memory of the dream wasn’t clear.

He was about to signal A Qi to lay out the second blueprint, when Jing Chunxi suddenly spoke, “Seventh Uncle, please ask July to check next door. If Xiao Lian is already awake, bring her in.” A Qi ran out without hesitation.

Miss’s expression and this scene reminded him of their time in Jian’an County. Back then, before solving a certain mystery, they needed someone else to verify; this must be the moment the mystery is about to be solved.

After a while, Xiao Lian came in with A Qi.

Xiao Lian saw Jing Chunxi and showed an incredibly surprised expression. She quickly ran over and respectfully bowed before Jing Chunxi, smiling and calling out, “Chunxi, I heard you went on a long journey. Have you finally returned?”

Jing Chunxi also gave her a warm hug and whispered in her ear, “Little Aunt, you’ve worked hard.”

（In previous chapters, readers have offered many suggestions and opinions on how to address Xiao Lian. Xiao Lian is only one year older than Jing Chunxi, but she is of the same generation as Jing Chunxi’s mother, Jing Qiurong. Previous chapters have addressed her as Xiao Lian; from now on, her actual generational position will be used.）

Xiao Lian still smiled happily. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, her lips slightly raised, revealing a row of white teeth.

Like an older sister, she kept patting Jing Chunxi’s shoulder, as if she wanted to convey all her longing and joy through this action.

She said loudly, “I haven’t worked hard. I just missed you, missed Elder Sister, and missed the nephews and nieces at home!” Her voice was full of joy and anticipation because she would soon be able to go home, and she was very happy.

Xiao Lian had grown a little taller, but was still so thin. Jing Chunxi looked at her, a hint of worry in her eyes, and softly asked, “Little Aunt, did you eat enough there? Did you suffer any grievances?”

Hearing Jing Chunxi’s question, Xiao Lian quickly shook her head. Her head shook like a rattle, her movements somewhat exaggerated. She said with a smile, “Suffer grievances! Although Peng Shi has a bad temper and often takes her anger out on others, she’s been kind to me, even kinder than to Liuli Sister.”

Her smile held a hint of helplessness, but more of gratitude. She continued, “Because she’s so good to me, Liuli Sister is jealous of me, but she isn’t petty and hasn’t made things difficult for me.”

Jing Chunxi carefully observed Xiao Lian. Seeing that there were no scars on her exposed hands and face, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that Xiao Lian wasn’t lying, a stone fell from her heart.

She gently grasped Xiao Lian’s hand, “Did you just wake up? Have you eaten?” Because it was almost mid-morning, she worried that Xiao Lian had been rushed to come, on an empty stomach.

Xiao Lian felt Jing Chunxi’s concern, a warm smile appearing on her face. She nodded lightly and said, “Don’t worry, I ate in the kitchen myself, two large meat buns.”

She looked at Jing Chunxi, her eyes full of gratitude.

The two young girls smiled at each other, forgetting the presence of those around them.