Thirty

Chapter 30: The Mysterious Box

Ji Yunyi and Wan Yanyan led the way to the back study, pushing open the door. "Master Top Scholar, these are all the late master's belongings. Would you like to take a look?"

Duan Mingyu leaned his halberd against the doorframe and kicked aside a brick-like object at his feet. "There is no need to look at everything. Did Master Wan leave behind anything unusual?"

Ji Yunyi furrowed her brow in thought, then tapped her forehead. "I remember now. After my husband passed away, I found a small iron box. Its lock mechanism is very strange—quite unlike anything we usually see. I have consulted many craftsmen, but none could open it."

Duan Mingyu asked with surprise, "Where is it? Bring it to me at once."

Ji Yunyi’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she remained silent. Duan Mingyu offered a sheepish laugh, assuming she was reluctant to part with it. "If Madam Ji is unwilling to show the treasure, I shall not force the matter."

Wan Yanyan quickly interjected, "That’s not it! Mother is not unwilling, it’s just that..."

"Just that what?"

"It’s just that you just kicked that box away with your foot," Wan Yanyan said innocently.

"What? That brick-like thing?" No wonder his foot was still numb after that kick.

"Exactly."

Zhang San chimed in eagerly, "I shall go retrieve it at once, sir."

Duan Mingyu examined the battered box thoroughly, front and back, almost resorting to testing it with his teeth to see if it was pure gold. Even if he had, it would have been useless; the box was crafted with exquisite precision, lacking even the smallest seam. It could only be opened via the lock, but without the key, it remained sealed.

*No, there must be a way to open it,* Duan Mingyu thought, resuming his inspection. Wan Yanyan, bored, went off to play on a swing, while Zhang San and Li Si sat to the side, whiling away the time playing a finger-guessing game Duan Mingyu had taught them. Ji Yunyi, meanwhile, began to doze off.

*This lock... why does it look so familiar?* Duan Mingyu’s heart leaped with joy. A box crafted with such intricacy must contain something of immense value. *I’m going to get rich! Ahem, stay calm, stay calm.*

Duan Mingyu woke Ji Yunyi, who was on the verge of drooling. "Madam Ji, I truly cannot fathom the mystery of this box today. May I borrow it for the night? I shall return it without fail tomorrow morning."

Ji Yunyi looked hesitant.

Duan Mingyu feigned offense. "Madam Ji, rest assured. My character is beyond reproach. While I wouldn't dare boast of being a perfect gentleman, I am not far from it. I am certain you have heard of my reputation and conduct, and you know exactly what kind of person I am."

To his surprise, Ji Yunyi sighed with deep concern. "It is precisely because I know what kind of person you are that I cannot rest easy about the box..."

"Are you praising me or insulting me?" Duan Mingyu grumbled, deflated.

Ignoring him, Ji Yunyi asked, "Does the Top Scholar know why Magistrate Cheng insisted so strongly that you investigate this case?"

"I do not."

"And does the Top Scholar know how Magistrate Cheng described you to me?"

Duan Mingyu asked curiously, "What did that blockhead say about me?"

"He said you are bold, meticulous, possess unique insights, are well-informed, and—" Ji Yunyi watched as Duan Mingyu began to look pleased with himself, then added with a mysterious smile, "—and that you are thick-skinned and utterly shameless!"

*Damn it,* Duan Mingyu thought. *I retract my previous question. That old man Cheng is completely making a mockery of me.*

Though infuriated, Duan Mingyu could only shake his head with a bitter laugh. *Bad company, truly bad company! If not for our long-standing friendship, I would fight him to the death.*

Ji Yunyi teased, "However, I find today that Master Duan is not a man of poor character, but rather, a fascinating one."

Duan Mingyu slumped onto a stool and cast a resentful glance at her. "At least you have a conscience."

A flicker of cunning flashed in Ji Yunyi’s eyes. "But I am only a widow, and since my husband passed away prematurely, I must be cautious in all things."

"Yes, quite right. And then?"

"Though you are a person of upright character, others might still covet this box. Therefore, I must ask you to sign a receipt before taking it." She struck a vulnerable, heart-wrenching pose that would make any man want to cherish her.

*A siren! Suck in your gut, clench your glutes, vent your anger, sing the national anthem.*

Duan Mingyu gritted his teeth. *I have conquered other worlds and am known as invincible; who do I have to fear?* "Fine, a receipt it is."

*Damn it, shouldn't a Top Scholar write with elegant, flowing calligraphy? How can I show this handwriting to anyone? I cannot reveal my incompetence!*

"Master Top Scholar, I have already signed it. You just need to sign here."

"Can I just use a thumbprint?"

"Oh? I suppose so, but why use a thumbprint?"

"I like it. Do you have a problem with that?"

"I would not dare!"

...

"Oh my, Master Top Scholar, why did you cut your finger? You’ve bled so much."

"It’s for the thumbprint, of course."

"A thumbprint? Why didn't you say so earlier? I have an ink pad right here!"

"Madam Ji, speak with your conscience. I just told you I wanted to use a thumbprint. How can you say 'why didn't you say so earlier'?"

"Oh, my apologies. I forgot."

*Intentional. This woman is absolutely doing this on purpose.* Duan Mingyu cursed internally, feeling utterly tragic.

After stopping the bleeding, he snatched the box and fled the scene in a panic, crying out, "The ancients never lied: only villains and women are difficult to deal with."

Ji Yunyi leaned against the doorframe, watching his retreating figure with a faint smile. "What an interesting Top Scholar. Not that he loves romance, but rather that he has been led astray by the dust of the world."

As soon as he stepped out of the Wan residence, Duan Mingyu regained his composure, shedding his "frightened bird" demeanor entirely.

"Zhang San!"

"Present!" Zhang San stood straight.

"Are you certain Madam Ji didn't follow us?"

"I dare stake my chastity that Madam Ji did not follow us!"

"Does that mean you're implying she *is* following us?"

Zhang San: "..."

Li Si remarked, "You deserve to be insulted by Master Duan. Your analogy was completely inappropriate. Don't you remember that you sold your chastity to Old Granny Wang next door when you were six and a half?"

Zhang San said with a mournful face, "Master Duan, even if my analogy was a bit off, Madam Ji really didn't follow us. My chastity... your tongue is truly too sharp, sir."

"Oh, it’s probably because you drank too much tainted milk powder when you were a child!"

"Li Si!"

"Present!"

"Are you certain Miss Wan is swinging on that swing around the corner?"

"I am certain."

"Then why does her laughter sound so familiar? Are you really sure it's Miss Wan?"

"I dare stake my character on it!"

"Are you implying she isn't swinging here?"

Li Si: "..."