The Reversal of Heaven Begins with The Smiling, Proud Wanderer

A glint of light, extremely difficult to detect, flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes.

The more extraordinary this child displays, the more carefully he deserves to be observed and guarded against.

Could they be from the temple? Is the claim of "one for one" between Grandmasters and above arrogant ignorance, or does it demonstrate genuine ability?

Fan Xian will arrive in Kyoto tomorrow... What is his relationship with Lin Mu?

Emperor Qing was naturally well aware of everything that Li Chengze was able to investigate.

He was particularly concerned about Fan Xian, his illegitimate son.

Several years ago, he already knew that Fan Xian had sent Fan Ruoruo a chapter of "Dream of the Red Chamber" through a letter.

Lin Mu's sudden release of the complete book naturally aroused his deep vigilance.

However, Emperor Qing was always cautious in his actions and never did anything without certainty.

Currently, he has quietly placed several invisible pieces around Lin Mu, observing the situation without making any rash moves.

……

On Zhuque Avenue, the flow of people was dense.

Fan Ruoruo, after being persistently pleaded with her younger brother Fan Sizhe, went out for a stroll together.

Fan Sizhe's mind was entirely on the novelties and various foods on the street, his eyes darting around.

Fan Ruoruo, thinking that her brother Fan Xian would be going to the capital the next day, was filled with uncontrollable joy, and a faint smile always appeared on her lips.

As I walked, I suddenly saw a large crowd of people ahead, making it difficult for vehicles to move. A long, winding queue stretched out in front of a newly opened shop, and the noise was almost deafening.

"Sis, look over there, there are so many people! Is it a newly opened pastry shop?"

Twelve-year-old Fan Sizhe stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to look around, his mouth practically watering.

Fan Ruoruo was slightly taken aback and looked in the direction.

The shop had a very spacious storefront, and the three large gilded characters "Moxiang Pavilion" on the signboard shone brightly in the autumn sun. The red silk banner by the door had not yet been taken down, indicating that it had just opened not long ago.

Upon closer inspection, most of the people queuing were scholars in Confucian robes and headscarves, hardly resembling a snack shop.

"Moxiang Pavilion... seems to be a bookstore?"

Fan Ruoruo said softly, somewhat surprised.

She had always loved poetry and books and was known as the most talented woman in the capital. She knew all the major bookstores in the capital like the back of her hand, but she had never heard of this name before.

"Bookstore? What's so interesting about queuing at a bookstore? It's so boring!"

Fan Sizhe immediately lost interest and tugged at Fan Ruoruo's sleeve, trying to walk around her: "Come on, let's go take a look over there. I smell something like roasted chestnuts!"

However, at that moment, the excited chatter of the queuing crowd drifted intermittently into Fan Ruoruo's ears.

"...Is it really complete? Is it truly the complete edition of *Dream of the Red Chamber*?"

"Of course it's true! Don't you even know who owns this bookstore? And look at the queue!"

"Heavens! I've waited far too long! What happened after 'Daiyu burying the flowers'? What became of Baochai, Daiyu, and Baoyu...?"

Dream of the Red Chamber?

The complete version?

how can that be!

Fan Ruoruo stopped abruptly, her faint smile freezing instantly, turning into astonishment and disbelief.

She clearly remembered that over the years, it was her brother Fan Xian, who lived far away in Danzhou, who sent her excerpts from the story of "Dream of the Red Chamber" through letters, accompanying her through many mornings and evenings.

In her heart, "Dream of the Red Chamber" is her brother's masterpiece, a secret and precious bond that belongs only to them as siblings.

Although some chapters of the book had already been circulated from her possession, attracting countless people to seek it out, the complete version has never appeared in the world.

Fan Xian has only written up to chapter twenty-seven.

Now, this suddenly appearing "Moxiangge" dares to claim to sell the complete book?

A feeling of being offended and stolen instantly welled up inside me.

She almost immediately concluded that someone must have stolen her brother's manuscript from somewhere and dared to sell it openly here for huge profits!

"That's unreasonable!"

A rare look of anger appeared on Fan Ruoruo's gentle face. She no longer cared about Fan Sizhe, lifted her skirt, and strode towards the entrance of Moxiang Pavilion.

"Hey? Sis? What's wrong? Where are you going?"

Fan Sizhe stood there, completely bewildered, and could only hurriedly follow.

Fan Ruoruo squeezed to the front of the line, her eyes eagerly scanning the display cases.

When I saw the beautifully bound, gold-embossed complete edition of "Dream of the Red Chamber," and even several different versions, my anger intensified.

Suppressing her emotions, she grabbed a scholar who had just bought a book and was excitedly flipping through it, and asked urgently, "Sir, excuse me for disturbing you."

"May I ask who wrote this book? And who owns this bookstore?"

Seeing her refined and extraordinary demeanor, the scholar, though eager, still maintained his manners and politely replied, "Miss, could it be that you have come for this book as well?"

"I heard that the Second Prince and a young master named Lin Mu jointly opened this bookstore."

"As for the author's real name, the publishing house did not specify, only saying that his pen name is... 'Teacher Cao'."

"Teacher Cao...?"

Fan Ruoruo was struck dumb, standing there stunned.

Fan Xian did indeed mention the name "Mr. Cao Xueqin" several times in his letters, saying that the story was written by this gentleman.

However, she privately searched through countless books and interviewed many elders, but could not find any record of this person.

I always thought that was an excuse my brother made up to be modest or to avoid trouble.

Could it be... that what my brother said was true?

Is it true that this version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" is not his original work?

[And where did Lin Mu obtain the complete inheritance from?]

The overwhelming amount of information left her momentarily overwhelmed, and her initial urge to demand answers was instantly replaced by immense confusion and shock.

"Sis, what's wrong?"

Fan Sizhe finally noticed that something was wrong with his sister and nervously tugged at her sleeve.

Fan Ruoruo took a deep breath, her eyes hardening again. No matter what, this matter had to be brought to a clear conclusion: "Sizhe, let's go back."

"No, we won't go back to the National Government yet. I need to find someone and get some answers!"

"Who are you looking for?"

Fan Sizhe was even more confused.

"Lin Mu!"

Fan Ruoruo practically gritted her teeth as she uttered the name.

After saying this, she immediately ordered the servants from the Fan family who were accompanying her to step forward and, sparing no expense, quickly inquire about "Lin Mu" from nearby merchants and passersby.

Soon, an address was handed to her.

Fan Ruoruo pulled the still clueless Fan Sizhe onto the carriage, which sped straight toward Lin Mu's residence.

She was determined to seek justice for her brother, Fan Xian!

Chapter 74: Fan Xian Enters the Capital

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Lin residence.

After Fan Ruoruo announced her name, the gatekeeper immediately went inside to inform her.

"Master, there is a young lady named Fan Ruoruo outside the door requesting an audience. She looks... quite anxious."

Lin Mu was reading "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" under a tree in the courtyard. He had just read the chapter "Warming Wine to Slay Hua Xiong" when he heard the gatekeeper's words. He remained expressionless and simply said, "Please invite her in. Serve her tea."

A moment later, Fan Ruoruo strode into the courtyard with a frosty expression, followed by Fan Sizhe, who was peeking around curiously but also a little timid.

At this time, Fan Ruoruo was only fifteen years old and had already grown into a graceful young woman. Although her face was full of anger, it could not hide her beautiful temperament.

Fan Sizhe was only twelve years old, still a child, his eyes darting around as he surveyed the quiet courtyard.

Lin Mu had already guessed seven or eight parts of the other party's intentions.

At almost the same time, a system notification sounded in his mind:

[Ding! You have encountered the lucky figure Fan Ruoruo, triggering the side quest: Around the World.]

[Mission Requirement: Take Fan Ruoruo on a trip around the world within one year.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

[Ding! You have encountered the lucky figure Fan Sizhe, triggering a side quest: Open a bank.]

[Task Requirements: Within one year, establish a legitimate bank and appoint Fan Sizhe as its president.]

[Task Reward: Randomly selected.]

Lin Mu's heart stirred slightly.

Neither of these tasks is easy.

Traveling around the world requires crossing oceans and takes a long time, unless one can obtain the spaceship from the temple.

Setting up a formal bank involves an extremely complicated process, including the financial system, credit establishment, and talent training.

He suppressed his thoughts for a moment and turned his gaze to the brother and sister in front of him, his tone calm and indifferent: "Miss Fan, what brings you here? May I ask what brings you here?"

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, as if nothing had happened, Fan Ruoruo became even more furious and cut to the chase: "Young Master Lin! I have come here today only to ask you one thing!"

"Is the complete copy of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' sold at the Moxian Pavilion on Zhuque Street your work?"

Lin Mu looked at her and nodded frankly: "I provided the manuscript and collaborated with His Highness the Second Prince to publish it."

Seeing how readily he admitted it, Fan Ruoruo's eyes instantly reddened, filled with both anger and indignation for her brother: "How...how could you do this?"

"The Dream of the Red Chamber is clearly the culmination of my brother Fan Xian's years of hard work. Where did you get the complete copy from? This is no different from theft!"

Although Fan Sizhe, who was standing to the side, only had a vague understanding of "Dream of the Red Chamber" and bookstores, he immediately puffed out his cheeks and glared at Lin Mu when he saw his sister so angry, putting on a childish posture that said, "If you bully my sister, I'll never forgive you."

Facing the agitated Fan Ruoruo, Lin Mu's tone remained calm: "Miss Fan, please calm down."

"First of all, the novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber' was not originally written by Fan Xian."

"He and I are just like each other, only fortunate enough to inherit the legacy of our predecessors."

"Did he not mention in his correspondence that this book was written by a gentleman named 'Cao Xueqin'?"

Fan Ruoruo was taken aback upon hearing this.

Her brother did mention the name "Cao Xueqin" in his letter, saying that the story was written by this gentleman. But she never fully believed it...

Could it be... that what my brother said was true?

Is it true that this version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" is not his original work?

[And how did Lin Mu obtain the complete book?]

The overwhelming amount of information left her speechless for a moment, and her anger was instantly replaced by greater confusion and shock.

She stared blankly at Lin Mu, unsure how to respond.

"etc." !"

She suddenly noticed another crucial detail, a hint of wariness flashing in her beautiful eyes: "How do you know about my brother Fan Xian? You also know that he once corresponded with me mentioning 'Cao Xueqin'? Have you investigated our Fan family?"

Lin Mu knew he had misspoke, but he didn't mind and calmly said, "I do know Fan Xian, and I know some things about him."

"However, it wasn't a deliberate investigation. The reasons are complex and convoluted, and I can't tell you for now. Knowing too much wouldn't be a good thing for you."

He paused briefly, then continued, "As far as I know, Fan Xian is about to enter the capital. When you see him, you might as well ask him a question for me."

"What?"

Fan Ruoruo asked subconsciously.

“You say to him: ‘Heavenly King covers the Earth Tiger.’”