"The treasure of the clan?" Jian Qinwan looked at the box in her hand with a puzzled expression.
The box was like a polyhedron with dozens of faces, its surface mottled gray and white, with only one keyhole, but it was quite heavy.
"Yes, the treasure of the clan passed down through generations!" Jian Nanfeng said with a solemn face, then asked in a low voice, "Did you two have relations?"
Jian Qinwan's pretty face blushed, and she shook her head, "We just shared a bed. I suggested he become the驸马 first, so he hasn't had me yet..."
"What a foolish child!"
Jian Nanfeng sighed helplessly, and instructed, "Then you must take good care of this item. When you truly become his woman, give it to him. This is our family heirloom, and it will eventually be passed to you, and you will give it to him. However, according to clan rules, this item absolutely cannot be passed to outsiders. You must be patient."
"What is this thing?" Jian Qinwan asked, confused.
Jian Nanfeng's old face flushed, and he said helplessly, "Your father doesn't understand either. Even if the lock is opened, there are still several mechanisms inside that cannot be opened. Perhaps he can open them. Back then, the entire Xichuan Sword Clan was besieged and killed. I was the only survivor. Your grandfather gave this thing to your father, saying it was the treasure of the clan, and didn't even have time to explain how to use it, nor did it have a name..."
His clan's treasure, yet he couldn't open it with the key, and didn't even know what it was. Jian Nanfeng felt humiliated.
But behind this treasure of the clan lay a tragic story of extermination.
"Have the enemies who destroyed the clan been found?" Jian Qinwan asked.
"I was still young at the time and was shoved into a secret tunnel by your grandfather. I survived by relying on the stored grain inside. When I returned, the clan had been razed to the ground, and the enemies were nowhere to be seen. Later, when I was granted Tianshan as my fief, I revealed my true name, claiming to be a descendant of the Xichuan Sword Clan, hoping to lure the enemy out.
"As a result, everything remained calm. Even the disciples of Tianshan were not significantly targeted. The only suspicious target was the Huichun Sect, but the Huichun Sect itself is an evil cult, and it's natural for Tianshan's heroes to be at loggerheads with them, making it difficult to judge."
Jian Nanfeng was full of helplessness and continued, "You don't need to think about revenge. Stay by his side, and don't make your mother and master worry. We don't have many demands on you, we just hope you can be happy."
Jian Qinwan's eyes welled up, and she nodded obediently, "Father is finally being serious..."
Jian Nanfeng whispered, "Remember to have several sons, so I can take a few out to show off in the future."
Jian Qinwan glared at Jian Nanfeng with a blushing face, "Pretend you didn't say anything just now..."
"Son-in-law, you know about having children early!" Jian Nanfeng suddenly shouted loudly at Liang Xiao in the distance, ignoring Jian Qinwan who was blushing with embarrassment.
"I know!" Liang Xiao's excited roar came from the opposite side.
After entrusting the important matters, Jian Nanfeng went to get drunk with Yu Qingchuan and the others. Jian Qinwan put away the clan's treasure and went to find Liang Xiao.
"Did you hear what your father-in-law said? Alas, I really have no way with these old folks!" Someone embraced Jian Qinwan, completely unconcerned about how shameless his expression was.
With the familiar shameless words, Jian Qinwan blushed, cast a resentful glance at Liang Xiao, and obediently followed Liang Xiao back to the room.
In the residence of Hong Jie and the other two, Zhuo Zifang was still chatting with Hong Jie, with a joyful expression.
But Hong Jie and the other two felt like they were sitting on pins and needles.
Zuo Jing even wore a veil, for fear of revealing any flaws.
The person before them was the former Shangshu Ling, Zhuo Zifang, who was as cunning as an old fox and very experienced!
Just then, the voice of the guard captain, San Quan, came from outside: "Master!"
Receiving Zhuo Zifang's response, San Quan hurried in and, upon seeing them, smiled, "Oh, why is Third Miss here too?"
"Third Miss?" Hong Jie and the other two were stunned.
Zhuo Zifang's heart sank, and he scolded with a smile, "San Quan, how old are you to be so blind? This young lady is Lin'er, the younger sister of the master of Yunxiu Studio!"
Zuo Jing came back to her senses and said timidly, "Uncle, I am Lin'er..."
"Ah?"
San Quan looked confused and was about to ask when Zhuo Zifang, frowning, preempted him, "What is it that made you rush to find me?"
"Prefect He is looking for you to discuss matters, including the assassination of Marquis Anguo!" San Quan explained, then suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh, right! The Ministry of Justice has also sent an official to personally investigate Nie Yuan's matter. Prefect He thinks the situation is not good!"
Zhuo Zifang glanced at the window and urged, "It's getting late, let's go!"
After speaking, Zhuo Zifang turned to Hong Jie and said, "Master of Yunxiu Studio, it is safer for you to stay at the residence for these few days. If anything happens, just notify the heroes of Tianshan."
After Hong Jie thanked him, Zhuo Zifang left urgently with San Quan.
Zuo Jing winked at Shangguan Jiusi, who understood and ran out of the room to patrol and keep watch.
"Why did that person take me for his Third Miss?" Zuo Jing wondered.
Hong Jie pondered for a moment and said, "Our attention has been focused on Liang Xiao and the Princess, and we haven't paid much attention to the Qin Immortal and the Jinling Painting Immortal. Now that I think about it, the Jinling Painting Immortal, when she was wearing a veil, looked a bit like you?"
Zuo Jing suddenly realized, "Even unrelated people in the world can resemble each other to a great extent, so it's not surprising, especially with a veil covering the face."
Hong Jie frowned, "This matter has given me a reminder. Could this be why he is wary of us?"
"What's the connection?" Zuo Jing said dismissively.
"The connection is too far-fetched. It seems we need to be extra careful..." Hong Jie was baffled and finally muttered to himself.
Returning to the room with Liang Xiao, Jian Qinwan thought for a moment, then took out the box and told Liang Xiao the matter of the clan's treasure truthfully, and said, "If you think it's necessary to open it early, we can discuss it with my father..."
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and smiled, "Then let's follow the clan rules and do it later. Anyway, your father doesn't know what it's used for, so there's no need to rush."
Seeing that Liang Xiao always respected her and Jian Nanfeng, Jian Qinwan was moved and nodded obediently.
"These are minor matters, there are more important things," Liang Xiao said, leaning close to Jian Qinwan's ear and whispering, "Wife, how many children do you hope to have with me in the future?"
"Ah?" Jian Qinwan's face instantly turned red, and she stammered, "How many... how many..."
"We must have at least one child surnamed Jian, so that your Xichuan Sword Clan doesn't end, and then we'll see," Liang Xiao said sincerely.
Jian Qinwan's nose twitched, and she nodded, "The first child must be surnamed Liang."
Liang Xiao keenly caught the key information and smiled, "So you hope to have at least two children with me? Don't force yourself, having children is bad for a woman's body."
Jian Qinwan's eyes darted around, not daring to respond.
Under the covers, Jian Qinwan hugged Liang Xiao's arm and looked at him deeply.
"How was my performance today?" Liang Xiao asked.
"Very good," Jian Qinwan replied without hesitation, then suddenly changed her tune, "Hmph, barely acceptable!"
"Is that all?" Liang Xiao pouted.
Jian Qinwan pondered for a moment and said softly, "Because you care so much about me, from now on, you can hold my hand however you like, but you must be mindful of the occasion..."
"It's a deal!" Liang Xiao was overjoyed.
"Ah~~ You can only hold my hand, you, you, how can you be so shameless..."