The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife-Chapter 450: Clearing Out Yao Sheng’s Accumulated Wealth

Chong Jiu, who had long been familiar with Zhu Sheng’s residence due to his past visits with Yao Sheng, led the way without hesitation. The entrance to the vault was located in the main hall.

As Chong Jiu opened the secret passage, a wide stone staircase extended downward. Nanli used a Fire Talisman to light up the oil lamps on both sides, providing enough illumination.

Ye Siheng, wary of potential traps, instructed Chong Jiu to go ahead. Chong Jiu, with a cold expression, descended the stairs and saw the stone door’s Qiankun Talisman Formation glowing faintly in the dim light.

Once Ye Siheng and Nanli joined him at the bottom, Chong Jiu smirked slightly, taunting, "So, how long do you think it will take to break this formation? Three days?"

Ye Siheng glared at Chong Jiu, "Be quiet."

Chong Jiu continued unabated, "I’m merely making an observation. If she’s so easily affected by words, then she might as well not waste her time here."

Nanli examined the stone door, feeling the formation repel her hand and cause a faint burning sensation. She raised an eyebrow, "This Qiankun Talisman Formation is quite impressive."

It was a pity that she never got to have a real contest with Yao Sheng, who had become a spirit entity on their last meeting. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Chong Jiu sneered, "I told you, even if you could break it, it would take time. And this formation covers the entire vault, so digging from outside would be futile."

This was why Yao Sheng felt secure leaving his fortune there; Zhu Sheng could neither see nor access it.

"Indeed, the door can only be opened from here," Nanli nodded and took out the Heaven Star Brush. "But it won’t take three days; just a tea break will suffice."

Chong Jiu laughed, "What did you say?"

Nanli didn’t turn around, "Are you deaf? I’m not here to argue with you."

Chong Jiu retorted, "You must be overestimating yourself. Do you really think you can break the formation in such a short time? If Yao Sheng were still alive, he would be furious!"

The stone door remained shut, and Chong Jiu’s loud voice began to irritate Ye Siheng and Nanli. Ye Siheng promptly silenced him by using acupoints.

Chong Jiu’s face turned red with frustration. He had no idea where Ye Siheng had learned his acupoint techniques, but he was utterly powerless to break free. Unable to speak, he could only stand by and watch.

Nanli, meanwhile, had picked up her brush and began drawing symbols with unerring precision. She swiftly inscribed several intricate talismans.

On the stone door was a stone plate, and the talismans she drew activated the entire underground array. With her left hand, she placed the talismans at the four cardinal points--Qian, Zhen, Gen, and Dui.

These talismans were not static. Chong Jiu, having studied them for years, recognized the subtle intricacies of the symbols Nanli drew. His mouth fell slightly open, and his eyes narrowed in astonishment.

As the talismans were embedded into the array, Nanli raised her fingers, causing the array to shimmer with light. The stone plate began to move! It paused at each cardinal point before continuing its rotation.

After completing the sequence four times, there was a sharp click, and the array was dismantled. The light faded, and a cold wind swept through the chamber.

Chong Jiu was utterly astonished.

She truly had this power! The array, painstakingly crafted by Yao Sheng over three days and nights, had been effortlessly dismantled by her!

Nanli’s mouth curled into a smile as she pushed open the stone door, revealing a musty, stale smell. She quickly used two more Talisman symbols to clear the odor and cast a Fire Talisman for illumination.

Inside the vault, gold and silver were piled on one side, while antiques and curios filled the other. The space was so packed that Nanli could barely move further.

"Wow, so much money!" she exclaimed.

Ye Siheng joined her, "It’s all yours."

Despite the compliment, his face remained grim. Yao Sheng had hidden his wealth so carefully that it was only thanks to Chong Jiu’s betrayal that they had uncovered this.

Chong Jiu felt a mix of emotions--both regret and satisfaction. He thought, Yao Sheng, you calculated everything, but you never anticipated that the Sixth Miss would return to the capital, ruining your plans and taking away all your hard-earned treasures.

Ye Siheng then released Chong Jiu from his silence.

"A’Li, True Word Talisman," he said.

Without hesitation, Nanli applied another True Word Talisman to Chong Jiu.

Chong Jiu, now expressionless, said, "I’m already a prisoner. There’s no need for more True Word Talismans. I’ll answer any questions you have honestly."

"Just to be safe," Ye Siheng replied coldly, "Yao Sheng must have done many favors over the years and befriended many officials. What else do you know?"

Chong Jiu marveled at their insight and sharpness. No wonder Yao Sheng had been so wary of the Ninth Prince during his lifetime.

Nan Li clapped her hands, her excitement palpable. "It seems Yao Sheng had a habit of not putting all his eggs in one basket. He must have entrusted valuable items to other trusted officials."

Chong Jiu, now thoroughly impressed by both of them, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Yao Sheng operated that way. However, he sometimes worked without involving me, so my knowledge of his contacts is limited."

He then listed a series of names, ranging from high-ranking officials to members of the imperial family.

Nan Li was thrilled. "He must have a broad network! There are likely many items he entrusted to others."

She prepared to leave the vault, and Chong Jiu was about to follow when Nanli stopped him, "You can stay and help move the treasure."

Chong Jiu’s face twitched, "I’m not your subordinate!"

Nanli raised an eyebrow, "Would you rather have the Soul-Gathering Talisman?"

Chong Jiu quickly changed his tune, "I’ll help with the moving and keep track of everything. I won’t let a single coin go missing!"

"Alright," Nan Li said, emerging from the underground chamber. She still found Chong Jiu’s face vaguely familiar, and then it hit her. "He looks quite a bit like Qing Feng. By the way, why did you have Qing Feng reassigned?"

At the mention of Qing Feng, Ye Siheng’s expression darkened. "I heard he’s taken quite a liking to sweeping the Supervisory Office’s floors. He even scolds those who offer to help him."

Nan Li replied, "I never expected that Qing Feng would prefer sweeping to being by your side. Since he’s found his passion, we certainly shouldn’t hinder his dreams."

Ye Siheng nodded, agreeing with Nan Li’s perspective. It made sense why Qing Feng sometimes acted so nonchalantly--his heart was clearly elsewhere. He resolved not to interfere with Qing Feng’s work at the Supervisory Office.

After a meal to satisfy their hunger, the two of them followed Chong Jiu’s list and went to "visit" the officials and members of the imperial family. The carriage was empty on the way there but was packed on the return trip.