Chapter Eighteen: The Three-Autumn Ink Treasures

People often speak without intention, yet listeners read into their words. I understood that Li Zhao’s casual remarks were actually a nudge, but I spent the entire sleepless night tossing and turning without grasping the meaning of her final words.

Who is a stone monument left for?

Naturally, it is left for future generations. No matter how I looked at it, the answer seemed simple.

I pondered the meaning of this sentence all the way back the next day, and upon returning to the hotel, I was surprised to find Xiao Lianshan had arrived in Jingzhao.

"Lianshan, you... why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay by Brother Ting's side every moment?" I asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Brother, you can rest easy on the matters you entrusted to me. Where I am, Brother Ting is. Not only did I come, but Brother Ting came too. However, he went out on business with Brother Qian early this morning. I've been waiting for you all night."

"My dad is here too?" Yue Qianling asked curiously. "He’s not someone who likes traveling far. What could possibly make him come all the way to Jingzhao?"

Xiao Lianshan shook his head, looking equally puzzled.

"Not long after you left, Officer Fang brought over two items, saying they were from Secretary Wei for Brother Ting."

"What?!" Yue Qianling had never liked Wei Yong, and hearing he’d sent something to Yue Leiting, she assumed it was a wolf in sheep's clothing offering greetings. "Did that guy named Wei go to threaten my dad?"

"Don't get so worked up. Let Lianshan finish," I said, pulling Yue Qianling back into her chair.

"It doesn't seem like it. At first, Brother Ting didn't understand what the items meant, but later he specifically asked Brother Qian to come back, and he seemed quite happy afterward."

"Happy?!" Yue Qianling couldn't sit still, asking anxiously, "What exactly did that Wei guy send?"

"Just a file folder and a map," Xiao Lianshan said, scratching his head. "The file folder had Brother Ting's name on it. As for the map, I caught a glimpse—there was a large circle drawn in red ink, appearing to encompass both Rongcheng and Jingzhao."

"A file folder and a map?!" Gu Anqi blinked, looking confused. "What kind of gift is that?"

I tilted my head and thought for a moment, then suddenly gave a cold laugh.

"It’s nothing. Wei Yong is playing to his interests. All things considered, he really did give Brother Ting a generous gift."

"Brother, do you know what these two things mean?"

"The file folder was delivered by Fang Yanan. Her identity is that of a police officer, so the file she brought must be the records of Brother Ting’s activities over these years," I said, rotating my neck nonchalantly. "Wei Yong wants to tell Brother Ting that he is returning the files for him to destroy personally, so that Brother Ting's slate will be wiped clean."

Xiao Lianshan nodded in sudden realization.

"Then... what about the map?"

"Rongcheng and Jingzhao being circled in red ink is telling Brother Ting that from now on, both cities are his territory. With Wei Yong there, Brother Ting can walk as arrogantly as he likes, and no one will dare say a word!"

"What is that Wei guy planning? Why would he curry favor with my dad for no reason?"

"There’s no such thing as a free lunch; he’s either a schemer or a thief. Anyway, I don't think that Wei guy is anything good," Gu Anqi said.

I rubbed my forehead, feeling somewhat weary.

"It's not that simple. To give Brother Ting such a big favor at this juncture—Wei Yong isn't the type to show goodwill casually. Being this generous can only mean one thing."

"Brother, what thing?"

"We are very close to finding the Fourteen Ming Tombs!"

The door was pushed open, and we could hear Yue Leiting’s hearty laughter from down the hall.

"This Yan Hui is a treasure. I pondered over the two things Wei Yong sent for a long time without understanding their meaning. I called Huo Qian back, and after we both analyzed them for ages, we finally grasped it. I didn't expect you to see through Wei Yong’s intentions at a glance."

Seeing Yue Leiting enter in high spirits, I straightened up.

"Wei Yong is a man who hides his depth. He is giving you this heavy gift now; you will surely have to pay it back double in the future. You had better be careful."

"Dad, he’s right. That Wei guy is no good. How could you dare to accept his gift?"

"Do you really think I'm a three-year-old child? I'm not senile yet; I can distinguish right from wrong," Yue Leiting said with a wave of his hand and great confidence. "Whatever his purpose, at least he has wiped my record clean for now and gifted me this piece of prime real estate in Jingzhao. I don't care what he wants; at least for now, he can't do anything to me. If he wants peace and prosperity, I, Yue Leiting, will remember the favor. If he wants to play dirty, I’ll play along to the very end."

I sighed inwardly. Looking at Yue Leiting’s current excitement, I figured he wouldn't listen to anything I said.

"Dad, why are you here instead of staying in Rongcheng?"

"I got the news from Officer Fang. Wei Yong has been promoted and transferred to Jingzhao; in the old days, he would have been a provincial governor. Since he sent me a gift before leaving, and we people in this business value loyalty, I can't let him go unrewarded. I came here today specifically to congratulate him on his promotion."

"So that's what you and Brother Qian were busy with all morning?" Xiao Lianshan asked.

"I heard Wei Yong has no other hobbies, only a love for calligraphy and painting, so I had Huo Qian get him a piece of calligraphy," Yue Leiting said, looking at me with a smile. "Don't just stand there; come with me. Let's return this favor so we don't owe him anything."

I stood up. At a time like this, I had to stay by Yue Leiting’s side. I had no idea what Wei Yong was plotting, and I couldn't let Yue Leiting walk into a trap. I told Yue Qianling and Gu Anqi to rest at the hotel while Xiao Lianshan and I accompanied Yue Leiting.

Just as we left the hotel, we ran into Qiu Nuo. I had wanted to ask her about Qing Yang and her mother, Li Zhao, so I brought her along as well.

Wei Yong always felt out of place among other high-ranking officials. Even now, as a provincial governor, nothing had changed. He lived a secluded life in his home, alone and leisurely. The furnishings in his room were just like his personality: simple on the surface, yet always leaving one feeling that he remained impenetrable.

Even the light in the room was dim, much like Wei Yong himself—gloomy.

Yue Leiting had spent decades in the underworld; his social graces were impeccable. Even when facing someone he disliked, there wasn't a trace of aversion in his smile.

"Wei..." Yue Leiting began, only to realize he had no idea what Wei Yong’s official title was.

"No need for such formalities. Just call me Secretary Wei; I'm used to it." Wei Yong didn't even look up, focusing intently on writing calligraphy at his desk.

"Haha, Secretary Wei, your rise in rank is a joyous occasion. I, Yue Leiting, have brought a small token of my appreciation to congratulate you, and I hope you will accept it."

"Boss Yue has always been generous with gifts. This time, surely it isn't gold, silver, or jewelry again?" Wei Yong said with a faint, nonchalant smile.

Yue Leiting calmly took a box from his bag, which contained an item wrapped tightly in brocade.

"Secretary Wei is a man of refined taste; gold and silver are too vulgar. Knowing you love calligraphy and painting, I specifically sought out a copy of the *Autumn Mountain Scroll* for you."

Wei Yong’s hand trembled, ruining the calligraphy he was working on, but he didn't seem to care as he looked up.

"The *Autumn Mountain Scroll* you speak of—is it by Yu Guangwen?!"

"Exactly!"

Yue Leiting placed the scroll he had retrieved onto Wei Yong’s desk.

Qiu Nuo’s face suddenly changed color, and she whispered in my ear, "This... this is a fake!"

My voice was even lower as I replied, unfazed, "I know!"

Wei Yong hurriedly took the scroll and examined it for a while, the joy on his face slowly fading away.

"Boss Yue, it was very thoughtful of you to travel so far to bring me this scroll. Even though it is fake, it is still better than gold or jewelry, haha."

"Fake?!" Yue Leiting’s eyes widened in surprise. "How dare they sell me a fake! I specifically had someone verify it; the paper and ink are authentic, so how could it be a fake?!"

"The paper and ink are indeed genuine, but the calligraphy is not Yu Guangwen’s. It lacks all the spirit."

Yue Leiting didn't believe it and wanted to argue, but Qiu Nuo, standing beside us, said timidly, "Uncle Yue, this *Autumn Mountain Scroll* is truly not an original. The reason the people you hired to verify it couldn't tell is because very few people have ever seen a genuine *Autumn Mountain Scroll*."

Yue Leiting froze, turned to look at me, and seeing me nod silently, he realized he had lost face. He stood there with a sullen, embarrassed expression, unable to speak.

Wei Yong looked at Qiu Nuo with curiosity and asked with a smile, "You didn't even look at the scroll in my hand; how did you know it was a fake?"

"The *Autumn Mountain Scroll*, the *Autumn Water Scroll*, and the *Autumn Rain Scroll* are known as the Three Autumn Masterpieces. They represent the pinnacle of Yu Guangwen’s wild cursive script. After drinking, Yu Guangwen wrote them in one breath, totaling 274 characters. Later, scholars deduced from his brushwork that due to the alcohol, the first 78 characters were firm yet soft, with flowing intent; the middle 135 characters were wild and unrestrained, possessing the force of thunder; and the final 61 characters were graceful, nimble, and subtle. Hence, they are referred to as the Three Autumn Masterpieces," Qiu Nuo answered with poise.

"I have always believed the *Autumn Mountain Scroll* consisted of only 78 characters; I have never heard that it was 274 characters long?" Wei Yong asked with great interest. "As for the *Autumn Water* and *Autumn Rain* scrolls you mentioned, I have never even heard of them."

"That is because those 274 characters were originally on a single piece of calligraphy. Later, for the sake of practice, Yu Guangwen traced the first 78 characters for his disciples. That is why so many copies of the *Autumn Mountain Scroll* exist today. But the true gems are actually the remaining 196 characters. Honestly, especially those middle 135 characters—the brushwork is vigorous, smooth as flowing water, and perfectly arranged. They are truly world-class masterpieces," Qiu Nuo said as if reciting from memory.

Wei Yong was startled. He paused for a long time, then raised his hand and asked expectantly, "Wait a moment... judging by what you said, Miss Qiu, have you seen the remaining 196 characters?"

"I have had the honor. I know a thing or two about calligraphy. If Secretary Wei likes, I could write out the Three Autumn Masterpieces for your appreciation, though my brushwork is limited and cannot compare to the original."

Wei Yong quickly cleared his desk. Hearing that Qiu Nuo could write the remaining 196 characters, I was stunned. I looked at her with extreme astonishment, wondering to myself: How could Qiu Nuo possibly know how to write the Three Autumn Masterpieces?