Chapter 101: Chapter 101: Only on Consignment

Even though Huangfu Jingchen wore a solemn expression, his steps were not slow at all.

Xia Wenjin chuckled to herself, knowing that this man was determined to get the Jade Pendant. Despite their hasty journey, sometimes missing a resting place and having to camp out in the wilderness, his eagerness to reach Liangzhou was palpable. However, after the incident with Aunt Wang, even knowing it would delay their journey, he opted to get involved without hesitation.

Though he carried the airs of a wealthy young master, he inherently possessed a chivalrous heart.

If only he didn’t keep asking her for the Jade Pendant.

Regarding the Jade Pendant, she hadn’t lied to Huangfu Jingchen; it was indeed in the Glazed Pavilion in Liangzhou. But it wasn’t pawned or permanently sold, just consigned. In her past life, the first place the Jade Pendant was mentioned was the Glazed Pavilion. To quickly ascertain its origins, no place was better than the Glazed Pavilion.

Unfortunately, the current owner of the Glazed Pavilion didn’t know her nor the origins of the Jade Pendant.

Of course, she wasn’t actually planning to sell it. The condition for consignment was that she must personally handle the transaction if someone wanted it. Those who didn’t recognize the value of the Jade Pendant wouldn’t have that patience; only those willing to wait for her were the ones she sought.

She had planned to wait for a while, but since Huangfu Jingchen was determined to retrieve it—in this life, the Jade Pendant wasn’t hers; he was its rightful owner. Naturally, she planned to retrieve it and return it to him, leaving the pendant’s origins to fate.

They headed southeast together.

After evading the villagers’ gazes, they sped up their pace. In places lacking a proper path, they resorted to Qinggong.

But even so, after a while, there was no path ahead to follow.

Xia Wenjin halted, surveyed the terrain, lifted the cage to eye level, and cheerfully said, “Little sparrow, little sparrow, it’s time to rely on you!”

She opened a small gap in the cage; the sparrow immediately approached. She gently caught it and petted its back softly before releasing it into the sky.

Seeing the sparrow, Huangfu Jingchen, with a stone already in hand, was ready to shoot it down once it confirmed a direction, but Xia Wenjin chuckled, “Don’t shoot. It won’t escape!”

Huangfu Jingchen turned back and noticed a faint silver glint; he couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

The method of tying a silver thread to the sparrow’s foot was truly an enigmatic maneuver.

Once certain the sparrow was flying in the right direction, Xia Wenjin reeled in the silver thread and brought the fluttering sparrow back, placing it back into the cage.

After trying this several times, they had traveled quite a distance. Xia Wenjin realized they had been following the river upstream. She calculated the distance; if some skilled individuals were to make a round trip in one night without being seen, how far should they be able to go? Estimating the distance, she released the sparrow again.

This time, she didn’t attach the silver thread.

The sparrow took flight, and they quickened their pace. The sparrow flew less than a mile before landing.

It was at the foot of a mountain, with sporadically placed buildings—secluded, quiet, rarely visited. If someone wanted to hide, no one would know.

As Xia Wenjin and her companion followed along, they saw the sparrow dive into one of the houses. From the window, there were piles of rice and grains, and the sparrow was pecking at them, clearly accustomed to the surroundings.

Following the sparrow’s entry, a surprised voice inside exclaimed, “Why has the sparrow returned in broad daylight?”

Someone replied, “Not good, it seems that person might have been exposed.”

“Move quickly!”

“Don’t rush, remember, even if they’re exposed, who can outrun a bird in flight? We still have time!”

The voices were chaotic, but the information in their words indicated these were indeed the culprits behind the scenes.

Xia Wenjin’s eyes gleamed; she kicked open the courtyard gate.

Huangfu Jingchen silently glanced at her.

This Long Yang was sometimes quite manly!

With a loud crash, someone rushed out from inside the house.

Four people emerged, two brawny hulking men, one slender man, and another with a narrow face and Mountain Goat Beard.

However, all four moved nimbly, not like typical farmers.

Moreover, these four didn’t seem to be a family.

Seeing that the commotion was caused by two teenagers, the four paused.

Especially when they saw the faces of the two teenagers, they couldn’t help but glance at each other.

The one on the left wore moon-white robes, exuding elegance and nobility, yet he was too slender.

The one on the right was even more youthful, not fully grown, with eyes bright like stars, like gemstones, dazzlingly bright.

If anything stood out, it was their looks—exquisitely handsome, as if they stepped out of a painting.

Seeing the two, the four visibly relaxed; their initially hostile stance softened. So what if they were strikingly handsome? Just two youngsters.

The slender man asked, “Who are you two, and why did you damage my courtyard gate?”

Mountain Goat Beard’s eyes brightened, gesturing to the two brawny men.

The gestures were a code language in the Jianghu.

Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t comprehend it, but Xia Wenjin saw clearly and smiled, “Gentlemen, my brother and I got lost in the mountains and just wanted a drink of water. Yet you plan to capture us—how unjust!”

Huangfu Jingchen asked, “What are they saying?”

Xia Wenjin chuckled softly, teasingly responding, “They said you’re good-looking and could fetch a high price if sold to the Bamboo Melody Building!”

Huangfu Jingchen gave her a disdainful look, “Only me, not you?”

Xia Wenjin was dumbfounded, thinking, “Why must he be so clever? Besides, is this something praise-worthy? Why drag me into it?”

Mountain Goat Beard was startled; he hadn’t expected his code language gestures to be recognized by the teenagers. His gaze at Xia Wenjin now held a trace of wariness, “Who are you?”

“Even if I tell you who I am, you wouldn’t know.” Xia Wenjin had no patience for idle chatter, “Last night, you kidnapped a girl from the village downstream. Where is she? Hand her over!”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying!” the slender man sneered, “We’re several miles from River Mouth Village, how could we have kidnapped anyone overnight?”

Xia Wenjin glanced sidelong at him, “Did I say River Mouth Village? Truly, a self-incriminating admission!”

Mountain Goat Beard shot him a reproachful look, turning to Xia Wenjin, his tone shifting to a menacing sneer, “Little brother, words should not be tossed around carelessly. Even if we know River Mouth Village, what of it? The village downstream is the largest! We are mountain folk, why would we need to kidnap anyone? Besides, kidnapping is a crime. We are honest folks, we wouldn’t dare!”

Xia Wenjin laughed, “Oh, still denying it? Mountain men knowing code language from the Jianghu? Mountain men, each being skilled fighters? Your story is full of holes. Stop lying and tell the truth?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep