Zhuo Yu Feng Yang Chapter 6

Scarface Qi specifically sought him out for a cup of tea the next day, repeatedly urging him to keep a close eye on the windows and doors of Leisure Cloud Studio, to avoid accepting items of unknown origin, and to steer clear of Old Black’s people. Jiang Zhuo agreed to everything, but his mind was clear—with people like Old Black, the more you retreat, the more aggressive they become.

Back at Leisure Cloud Studio, Jiang Zhuo didn’t rush to close up. Instead, he pulled a long bench to the doorway and sat down, a unlit cigarette pinched between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the streetlamp at the end of the bluestone road.

The evening breeze carried the unique scent of mildew and wood from Antique Street, lightly stirring the fringe of hair on his forehead. He was reviewing the past few days: from renting the shop to confronting Zhao Sihai, and then appraising for Elder Zhou, Leisure Cloud Studio had established itself, but it had also made enemies. Zhao Sihai’s resentment and Old Black’s threats were like two nets slowly closing in on him.

As he pondered, a rapid set of footsteps approached, accompanied by a rough, grating voice: “Boss Jiang, I finally found you!”

Jiang Zhuo looked up.

In the halo of the streetlamp, a short, stout middle-aged man squeezed through. He wore a wrinkled jacket, clutching something tightly wrapped in newspaper. Sweat beaded on his temples, and his eyes showed a mix of urgency and panic.

It was Old Huang, the stall owner from the street corner. A few days ago, Jiang Zhuo had bought a pair of late Qing blue-and-white small dishes from his stall, paying a fair price. Old Huang had even mentioned that he would save any good finds for him in the future.

“Uncle Huang, so late? What’s the matter?” Jiang Zhuo put the cigarette back in his pocket, his voice calm.

Old Huang hurried over, glanced left and right, and then lowered his voice: “Boss Jiang, quickly, help me look at this! My wife was cleaning out an old trunk at our ancestral home today and found this. It looks like an antique, but it gives me the creeps, and I don’t dare keep it at home.”

As he spoke, he carefully unwrapped the newspaper, revealing a palm-sized bronze seal inside. The seal was entirely black, topped with a fierce, rearing Pixiu as the knob. The seal face was covered in dense, carved seal script, and the edges showed signs of wear and chipping, suggesting it was indeed quite old.

Jiang Zhuo’s gaze fell upon it. Just as his fingertip was about to touch the bronze seal, the system prompt sounded in his mind:

Ding—Item detected: County Yamen Official Seal from the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty.

Material: Cast bronze, high tin content.

Era: Daoguang Twelfth Year, corresponding location is Wuxi County, Changzhou Prefecture, Jiangnan.

Features: The Pixiu seal knob is rugged in style. The seal script is raised Nine-Fold Seal Script. The body of the seal has three distinct chips, remnants from the turbulent period of the late Qing Dynasty.

Estimated Value: No market circulation value; possesses extremely high cultural relic research value. Risk Warning: Private possession of an official seal is illegal and must be surrendered to the relevant authorities.

Jiang Zhuo’s finger froze mid-air, his eyes darkening.

Old Huang didn’t notice his expression and continued rambling: “Look at these characters, all twisted and crooked, they look extraordinary. My grandfather told me our ancestors were from Wuxi. Maybe this was something an official used! Boss Jiang, how much do you think this is worth? If the price is right, I’ll…”

“You can’t keep this thing,” Jiang Zhuo interrupted him, his voice cooler than the night wind.

Old Huang’s face instantly turned pale: “W-what’s wrong? Is it fake?”

“It’s not fake.” Jiang Zhuo pointed to the seal script on the face. “This is an official seal from the Wuxi County Yamen during the Qing Dynasty. It belongs to the state’s cultural heritage. Private possession is illegal.”

Old Huang was so frightened his legs went weak, and he nearly sat on the ground. The bronze seal clattered onto the bench. He hastily picked it up, his palms slick with sweat: “Il-illegal? Then, then what should I do? I’m just an ordinary person, how was I supposed to know this thing was so precious…”

He was trembling with anxiety, the sweat on his forehead rolling down faster, constantly rubbing his hands: “Boss Jiang, you’re knowledgeable, you have to show me the way! I don’t want to go to jail…”

Jiang Zhuo looked at his panic and sighed inwardly. In the antique trade, the biggest mistake is pretending to know what you don’t. Once greed takes hold, it’s easy to stumble.

“Don’t panic.” He picked up the bronze seal, his fingers tracing the lines on the Pixiu knob. “You weren’t actively trying to sell this; it’s an heirloom, so the nature of the situation is different. First thing tomorrow morning, take it to the Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, explain the situation, and surrender it. You’ll be fine.”

“Surrender it?” Old Huang’s face fell, his eyes full of reluctance. “Then, won’t I get anything out of it?”

“The Cultural Relics Bureau will issue you a certificate of honor and a monetary reward,” Jiang Zhuo rewrapped the bronze seal in the newspaper and handed it back to him. “It’s much safer than trying to sell it privately. If someone reports you, the situation changes entirely. Old Black’s people have been lurking around the street lately. If you expose this, they could eat you alive.”

The mention of Old Black’s name made Old Huang shiver, and the reluctance on his face was instantly replaced by fear. Just two days ago, he had personally witnessed Old Black’s men beat a stall owner who was privately hoarding cultural relics half to death. The item was stolen, and the man ended up in the hospital.

“I, I understand!” Old Huang clutched the bronze seal tightly, as if holding a hot potato. “I’ll go to the Cultural Relics Bureau first thing tomorrow! Boss Jiang, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I would have caused serious trouble today!”

He thanked Jiang Zhuo profusely and rushed off, his footsteps so frantic it seemed like someone was chasing him.

Jiang Zhuo watched his retreating figure disappear at the alley entrance, then pinched the unlit cigarette between his fingers again.

The night deepened, and the figures on the bluestone road became sparse. The nights on Antique Street were never peaceful, hiding not only old artifacts but also countless treacherous human intentions.

He stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and was about to close the door when the corner of his eye caught a blurred figure flickering in the shadows at the street corner, quickly shrinking back.

Jiang Zhuo’s eyes instantly turned cold.

He showed no reaction, slowly closed the shop door, and locked it. The moment he turned around, the cigarette in his fingers was crushed out of shape.

There was more than one pair of eyes watching from the darkness.

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Scarface Qi: Old Black’s people are already watching me.

Not long after, Scarface Qi’s reply came: Come to my shop tomorrow. I’ll introduce you to someone who can help you fend off Old Black’s trouble.

Jiang Zhuo looked at the words on the screen, his eyes thoughtful.

A backer?

In the antique circle, relying on yourself is better than relying on a backer. However, getting to know more people is never a bad thing.

He put away his phone and turned to walk into the shop. The dim yellow light fell on the rows of antiques; the glaze of the porcelain vases, the patterns on the bronze ware, all seemed to hide silent stories.

Jiang Zhuo walked behind the counter, pulled open the drawer, and took out the address he had received from Elder Zhou.

West City, Jubao Pavilion.

He tapped lightly on the three characters “Jubao Pavilion” with his fingertip.

Elder Zhou Jingshan being swindled, Old Black’s threats, and the hidden surveillance.

Since he had waded into this murky water, he had no intention of pulling out easily.

The wind outside picked up, making the window lattices creak.

Jiang Zhuo’s gaze rested on the deep darkness outside the window, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.