Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 139 No Experience in Deceiving

Wan Yin said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Xiao Mu laughed and said, "You didn't know, so it's not your fault."

"The noodles are ready, quickly wash your hands!" Aunt Yun Zhao wiped her hands on her apron; several bowls of vegetarian noodles were already laid out on the table.

Feeling bad about refusing her kindness, everyone sat down to eat the noodles, even though they weren't hungry. To their surprise, the noodles, though plain, tasted quite good. Wanyin finished the entire bowl of noodles and broth.

Yan Mingzhang finished his noodles. He looked around; the room wasn't large, but it was exceptionally clean. One wooden bookcase stood out; it was roughly made, with some planks nailed unevenly, but every corner had been carefully sanded. It looked like the first piece of work completed by someone who didn't know carpentry. Compared to the neatness of the surroundings, it seemed somewhat out of place.

Next to the bookshelf was a small table, on which sat a guqin (a seven-stringed zither), which was spotlessly clean. Beside the guqin was a small incense burner, from which a faint fragrance was being burned.

"Aunt Yun Zhao, how come you have so many bells? Where did they come from?" Xiao Mu asked tentatively.

Aunt Yun Zhao said with a smile, "These are all my treasures. These two bronze bells with animal faces and tiger heads... but... wait, why is there only one?"

Aunt Yun Zhao looked puzzled and fell into deep thought, but still couldn't remember. She fumbled with the copper bell and muttered to herself, "Huh, why is there only one left? There were clearly two. Huh, why are there so many copper bells here? These aren't mine!"

Aunt Yun Zhao took off all the copper bells and examined them carefully one by one, very nervously: "No, this isn't it, this isn't mine either, where's the other one? Where did the other one go? There are clearly two of these beast-face and tiger-head copper bells, why is one missing..."

Aunt Yun Zhao stopped as if she had suddenly remembered something, looked around, and said urgently, "I remember now, I gave that bell to someone, a very important person. The person I was just waiting for is the one with the other bell. Little Stone, can you help me find him? Where did he go? Why didn't he come back?"

Seeing that Aunt Yun Zhao's emotions were gradually becoming agitated, Xiao Mu noticed that something was wrong with her and gave everyone a look, signaling them to leave first, while he stayed in the room to comfort her.

The crowd waited anxiously at the door, while inside came bursts of weeping and scattered cries of "It's gone, Tongling is gone."

After a long while, Xiao Mu came out of the house looking exhausted: "Aunt Yun Zhao has already gone to bed. I suppose this copper bell must be very important. Her illness is getting worse every day, and she can't remember many things. I don't know if the copper bell is really lost, or if she just forgot where she put it. I promised her that I would help her find the copper bell. But so far, we don't have any clues."

Yan Mingzhang said, "How about I draw a picture of the copper bell, draw several pictures, and we'll go to town tomorrow to ask. If that doesn't work, we can make one just like it for her. What do you think?"

“But we can’t get that copper bell. Aunt Yun Zhao is keeping a close eye on it and has locked it in the bedside table. How am I supposed to draw it?” Xiao Mu said, at a loss.

"I've already written it down, it's alright," Yan Mingzhang said calmly.

"You remembered it after just one glance?" Xiao Mu asked incredulously.

Yan Mingzhang nodded, showing no arrogance whatsoever. Xiao Mu couldn't help but admire him. He wasn't admiring Mingzhang's memory, but rather his humility despite his talent, as if he were simply telling someone he ate a lot, without any pride in it.

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That evening, Yan Mingzhang drew many pictures of the copper bell.

The next day, everyone took one and went out to inquire. Rong Wanyin and Xiao Mu, being more familiar with the town, led everyone to inquire in various places, especially among the elderly.

Yan Mingzhang took a few more blueprints with him and went to the Li's blacksmith shop from last time. If he remembered correctly, Old Madam Li should have gone to a neighboring town and wasn't home. He had something to discuss with Li Dalang, the blacksmith.

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After a long day of work, the group returned dejectedly, having gained nothing. They ran into their master, carrying their drawings. The master glanced at the drawings, his face instantly darkening. He rushed forward, snatched all the papers from their hands, and his face turned ashen: "What are you doing? Where did you get this design for the bronze bell?"

Wanyin and Xiao Mu weren't usually afraid of their master, but when he got really serious, they were. Xiao Mu said nervously, "Master, we..."

"You went to Aunt Yun Zhao's place?" Master probably realized that his tone was too harsh, and his attitude gradually softened.

"Yes... Aunt Yun Zhao said she lost one of these copper bells, so we wanted to look for it." Xiao Mu was still a little unsure.

“…You don’t need to look anymore. Just go about your business…It’s been so long. Some things are better left in the past…Besides, even if you tell her, she’ll forget in less than a day. Why make her sad again?” the master said with some sadness.

"Master, what's going on? Aunt Yunzhao's condition is deteriorating day by day. She's always forgetting things. She can't remember anything about the other copper bell, but she feels it's very important. What a pity it would be if she didn't find out!" Wanyin tugged at her master's sleeve, not letting him leave. "Master, even if she forgets important people and important things, at least she's clear-headed sometimes, and at least we can help her remember. Master, the person Aunt Yunzhao misses, could it be you?"

"...Nonsense! You have no respect for elders! You are not allowed to investigate anymore. If I find out that you are still investigating, you will be leaving Peach Blossom Town tomorrow!" The master was so angry that his beard almost stood on end. He went straight into the house and slammed the door shut.

Since their master had made such a tough statement, he would surely keep his word, and now even this only clue had been cut off. Everyone was somewhat disheartened.

Rong Wanyin's eyes darted around, and she lowered her voice to urge Xiao Mu, "Why don't you get Master drunk, and I'll go to Master's room to find out what's going on? Isn't Master's behavior just like trying to hide something? I'll find out that copper bell!"

Xiao Mu snorted coldly: "I wouldn't dare. If Master finds out, he'll break my legs. Besides, I don't usually let him drink. If I suddenly force him to drink, it's like he's being overly solicitous. There's no way Master would believe me."

Rong Wanyin and Xiao Mu turned their gazes to Yan Mingzhang simultaneously, their smiles radiant.

Yan Mingzhang panicked a little: "No, I have no experience in lying... Uh... wait... wait..."