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Chapter 40: Lang’s Temptation

Xie Xiande straightened his expression and said, “Young Master Duan, may I have a word with you?”

Duan Mingyu replied, “No need to be so formal, even if it’s just a few steps.”

Xie Xiande smiled awkwardly, and the two turned to enter a private room. Duan Mingyu’s heart began to race. Could this old man have come just to freeload, seeing that he had won first place in the couplet contest and was exempt from all charges?

Despite his suspicions, Duan Mingyu instructed the waiter to prepare a fine meal. No matter what, he wasn’t going to let good food go to waste.

Meanwhile, Wan Yanyan was still steeped in regret, muttering repeatedly, “Why was I so slow? Why was I so slow?”

There is a saying: when all seems lost, a new path appears. Just then, a waiter emerged from the private room, holding a menu. An idea struck Wan Yanyan. She hurried forward and said to the waiter, “You don’t need to worry about the arrangements here. Just bring the food and drinks directly to me.”

The waiter glanced at Wan Yanyan, puzzled and wondering what scheme she was hatching this time. This matter certainly provoked much thought. After a moment, the waiter grasped the implications, casting Wan Yanyan a meaningful look before glancing at the private room. He wore an expression that said, “Ah, it’s all because of Lang’s temptation!”

After agreeing, Wan Yanyan hurried to a secluded corner and quickly made some adjustments. Soon, a handsome waiter appeared, pleasing Wan Yanyan, who was satisfied with her disguise. She walked to the entrance of Duan Mingyu’s private room. The door was tightly shut, and the windows were closed. What on earth were those two up to?

Curiosity got the better of her. Wan Yanyan scratched a hole in the paper covering the door window and peered inside.

“What? You really are from the Xie clan?” Duan Mingyu exclaimed in surprise.

After sipping his tea, Xie Xiande spoke slowly, “Young Master Duan, there’s no need to be alarmed. Over the years, other noble clans have kept a close watch on us. I had no choice but to part ways with Yongchang and have not seen him for decades. Our purpose was to prevent this treasure from falling into the hands of those aristocratic families, and even more so, to ensure it does not remain buried forever.”

At last, Duan Mingyu believed Xie Xiande. Such a significant secret was unknown even to Ji Yunyi, yet Xie Xiande was fully informed. There was no longer any doubt about his identity.

Feigning surprise, Duan Mingyu asked, “Why reveal such a great secret to me? Aren’t you afraid I might covet this treasure?”

Xie Xiande sighed deeply. “I know well the character of Cheng Zhiyuan. He chose you to reopen this case because you have the potential to be a great detective. Today, seeing your remarkable talent, I believe you can expose the mastermind behind this. If you can uncover even a trace of the truth, I have no qualms about handing this treasure over to you.”

Duan Mingyu protested, “Sir, that would be unthinkable!” Xie Xiande’s boldness was astounding—wealth rivaling that of a nation could be granted with a wave of his hand. Truly, the Xie family was no ordinary force.

Duan Mingyu exhaled deeply, steeling his resolve. “Sir, you don’t know—I've already uncovered some clues and have even confronted the clan behind this.”

“Oh? Tell me, which faction is it?” Xie Xiande asked incredulously. Originally, he hoped Duan Mingyu would find a few hints that could corroborate what he knew, but he never imagined Duan was such a prodigy, having traced the matter all the way to the clan itself.

Duan Mingyu forced a bitter smile and handed over a badge belonging to the black-clad men from that day. “It’s the Qin clan.”

Xie Xiande examined the badge and gasped, “Indeed, this is an authentic badge of the Qin family’s direct line. As the top scholar, I bow on behalf of the late Lord Wan and the restless spirits of our Xie ancestors!”

“What are you doing, sir? Please, no!” Duan Mingyu hastily steadied Xie Xiande, who was visibly agitated. The old man might suffer a heart attack—there was no way to clear himself by jumping into the Yellow River now!

Xie Xiande produced a key. Duan Mingyu fixed his gaze on it. Goodness, wasn’t this the very key to open the iron box? This was the genuine article; the one he had was at best a counterfeit!

Xie Xiande placed the key before Duan Mingyu and said, “This is the key to open—”

“Are you about to say it’s the key to open the box?” Duan Mingyu interrupted, pulling out the iron box.

Xie Xiande almost fainted with shock. “How did it end up with you?”

Duan Mingyu replied, “I borrowed it from Madam Ji yesterday.”

Xie Xiande was speechless.

Duan Mingyu was honest with him. Inside the box were the untouched keys to the treasure and the blood-written map, all returned intact.

After pondering, Xie Xiande realized that Duan Mingyu was already at odds with the Qin clan. Duan was no ordinary person himself. Perhaps, with the treasure’s help, he could hold his own against the Qin family and even avenge the Xie clan.

Duan Mingyu, too, felt regret. Although his Great China Auction House was profitable, it paled in comparison to this vast fortune. With the Qin clan lurking, they might come to his door at any time. This money was indeed a tremendous asset.

Xie Xiande pushed the key and box toward Duan Mingyu. “My Xie family has fallen. I am the last of the line. This money means nothing to me now. If Young Master Duan takes it, all the better. I trust you will one day overthrow the Qin clan and restore justice to the Xie descendants.”

Duan Mingyu fell silent. Accepting the box was to inherit the Xie family's enmity. Yet, considering his irrevocable conflict with the Qin clan, he simply accepted it. “The world changes like clouds and dogs’ shadows. Please accept my condolences, sir. I will devote myself fully.”

Tears welled in Xie Xiande’s eyes. “In my lifetime, meeting you was my fortune, and the Xie family’s fortune. I give my life to you—may the Qin clan be utterly defeated.”

Duan Mingyu chuckled. “Sir Xie, I have a question.”

“Go ahead,” Xie Xiande replied.

“Why not give this fortune to Madam Ji? Surely she would want to avenge Lord Wan?”

Xie Xiande snorted. “What good would that do? She’d only be a bride dressing another’s wedding. Yunyi’s heart is no longer with the Wan family.”

“What do you mean?”

Xie Xiande composed himself. “Do you remember Ye Xun, who competed with you in the couplet contest today?”

“What about Ye Xun?”

Xie Xiande looked at Duan Mingyu with bitter disappointment. “Yunyi and Ye Xun have been involved for quite some time. Though they hide it well, Ye Xun is my student. How could I not have noticed?”

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Both Xie Xiande and Duan Mingyu called out, “Who’s there?”

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