Chapter Sixty-Four: Partners in Crime

The others found it inappropriate to say more.

Having obtained a piece of top-grade jade, the Zhao family’s expressions turned exceedingly sour. They had hoped that by presenting such treasures, they might draw the attention of merchants from all over and perhaps even win the favor of influential officials. Who could have foreseen that all the glory would fall upon Han Qing?

The eldest uncle of the Zhao family glared at them in reproach. “Grandfather, we never should have invited them as guests. The treasures we prepared so painstakingly have been turned into a wedding dress for someone else.”

“Grandfather, it was all unintentional. Who could have known that a mere stone from the pond would possess such luster?” another quickly tried to persuade him.

Their tailoring shop now stood unrivaled in the city of North County, largely due to Han Qing’s assistance. If this unintentional act were to be viewed as intentional, rumors might spread that the Zhao family was ungrateful.

“Enough, stop arguing,” the old master said carelessly, though his thoughts were heavy. He was already quietly on guard against Han Qing. If this man could not be used for their own benefit, he must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Han Qing found a reputable jeweler, had the Dragon Blood Jade expertly polished, and had it crafted into an ornament. Upon returning home, he presented the piece to Jiang Xiuxiu.

“What is this?” she asked, startled by the gleaming stone she had never seen in the market before.

“My dear,” Han Qing said, “wives of other families all wear jewelry, but you have always been reluctant to spend money on such things. I thought this would suit you perfectly.”

Xiuxiu was so surprised she could scarcely believe her eyes. She intended to politely refuse, but Han Qing had already placed the pendant around her neck.

“Are you still blaming me for what happened before?”

“No, not at all,” she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Yet as this episode passed, the once illustrious Zhou Magnate became the laughingstock of others. The various trading houses no longer showed him the respect they once did, much to his confusion. Bitterness toward Han Qing grew in his heart. After all, he had come from Luojing, yet in this small place he was not respected, and the disparity stung.

While he was at a loss, Young Master Bai sought him out.

“Young Master Zhou, you traveled all the way from Luojing; why not grace the Bai household with your presence?” With a single sentence, his identity was laid bare.

“Young Master Bai, it’s not that I was unwilling. The Zhao family invited me, and I have heard of the discord between your two houses. I thought it best…” The implication was clear. Zhou Magnate deftly shifted all blame onto the Zhao family, casting himself as a powerless victim of their coercion.

Young Master Bai would not be swayed by such excuses. Now that the Zhao family had set their sights on this man, how could the Bai family fall behind?

“But I have heard that you have not been well treated there, always restrained and at their mercy. Are you truly willing to accept that?” His words stirred Zhou Magnate’s heart. Indeed, he felt wronged; in Luojing, merchants had held him in high regard, but here, no one offered him a kind face.

“It is not as the rumors say,” Zhou replied regretfully. “The other day I misjudged a piece, letting that Han fellow acquire the unparalleled Dragon Blood Jade.”

Young Master Bai’s expression shifted. “I have long been displeased with that Han family brat. If you have a way, we can join forces.”

His meaning was implicit, for the cause of Zhou Magnate’s humiliation was, after all, closely tied to Han Qing. There was no reason to refuse.

“Agreed,” Zhou responded with a nod. Since the Zhao family had no use for him, he might as well seek another path. The Bai family’s influence in North County was considerable; this could well secure him a bright future.

The appearance of the Dragon Blood Jade quickly became the talk of the region. Some argued that such a treasure ought to be surrendered to the court, not left in the hands of a mere commoner. Others said it was a shame for such a rare gem to be buried in an out-of-the-way place. Wild rumors spread with increasing fervor.

Young Master Zhu, upon hearing of it, sensed trouble. He feared that once the rumors reached Luojing, certain people might seize the opportunity to exploit the situation, and Han Qing could be drawn into a disaster.

“Brother Han, be extra cautious these next few days,” he warned. “Someone has already been instructed to come for your Dragon Blood Jade.”

Han Qing only smiled. “How could a treasure like the Dragon Blood Jade possibly end up in the hands of an ordinary man like me?”

Young Master Zhu was bewildered. Everyone had seen it extracted from the Zhao family’s stone—was Han Qing now denying it?

“People are already talking. Even if you try to fool them, I doubt you’ll succeed,” Zhu said without hesitation. Even if the stone were to be handed over, it would only arouse suspicion, and might well cost Han Qing his life.

“Does this look real to you?” Han Qing asked, having Xiuxiu bring out the box containing the Dragon Blood Jade.

When opened, the once lustrous gem now appeared coarse and dull. To the untrained eye, it seemed unchanged, but to a true connoisseur, the difference was immediately apparent.

Young Master Zhu’s vision blurred; was he seeing things? He distinctly remembered a radiant, flawless jade—yet now it seemed both familiar and wrong.

“So you’re prepared. I won’t say more,” Zhu nodded. He didn’t know the reason but chose to trust Han Qing.

After he left, Jiang Xiuxiu stepped softly from her room, equally perplexed. That very morning, Han Qing had asked her to place the Dragon Blood Jade in a bowl of soapberry. She had found it odd—why would such a precious stone be left so carelessly?

But when she brought it out just now, the once resplendent gem had grown instantly dull. She wondered if she had been mistaken.

“Is this the same one?” she asked.

“Yes,” Han Qing replied. “It’s merely a trick to fool others. We may be welcoming a distinguished guest in the coming days.”

He then put the stone away. There was a reason for all of this. When jade comes into contact with acidic or alkaline substances, it undergoes a chemical reaction. Leaving the gem overnight in soapberry utilized precisely this principle, causing the once gleaming stone to lose its luster in an instant—making the genuine seem false, and the false seem real.