Chapter Sixty-Nine Dawn’s Radiant Face

Zhao Yuanqiao glanced at me, lazily pouring himself a glass of wine.

“Whether or not I drink this is up to your abilities,” he said. “I’m not young anymore—soon I’ll be stepping down. So, tell me, before I retire, will I be able to rise any further?”

“That’s something I can’t divine!” I replied without hesitation.

Zhao Yuanqiao was taken aback. “Why can’t you? You predicted Director Fan’s career, so why not mine?”

Calmly, I addressed him, “Mayor Zhao, your birth chart is balanced, neither lacking nor excessive in any element. But you lack the ‘official seal’ in your destiny, which governs official positions. In other words, you were never destined for office; all of this lies beyond your own power.”

“I’m not suited for office?!” Zhao Yuanqiao laughed, lingering over the notion. “But I’m a mayor—does that mean my position is fake?”

“Come on, Yan Hui, how can you say that? Mayor Zhao is certainly fit for office. You’d better check your calculation!” Yue Leiting chimed in quietly from the side.

Unruffled, I replied, “Mayor Zhao, I’m only telling the truth. You lack the official fate—by rights, you shouldn’t hold this position. But your face is full and radiant, with a noble presence—that’s called the ‘Dawn Face’. Men with this feature are always aided by benefactors, who lift them up. Everything you have today is thanks to your benefactor, who not only brings you luck in office but ensures your wealth. This benefactor is truly extraordinary!”

Zhao Yuanqiao stared at me in shock for a long moment, then nodded thoughtfully and silently drank his wine.

“Yan Hui, come visit me sometime. You’re always welcome,” Zhao Yuanqiao said.

Yue Leiting saw that Zhao Yuanqiao had invited me, and that Fan Liang had earlier hinted the same. He had hoped, in arranging this dinner, to make a good impression, knowing relationships would take time. Yet after my fortune-telling, they treated me as an honored guest, and Yue Leiting’s smile was wide with satisfaction.

“Wei, why don’t you join in? Have your fortune told,” Yue Leiting said to Wei Yong, who had been quiet in the corner.

“I’ll pass. You enjoy yourselves,” Wei Yong replied politely.

“Come on, you said we should enjoy ourselves. Wei, have your fortune read. Don’t worry, nothing leaves this room,” Yue Leiting said, moving beside him and pouring wine. “If you don’t want your fortune told, just write a character—Yan Hui can interpret it, just for fun.”

Wei Yong, unable to refuse, dipped his finger in wine and wrote a character on the table.

Field.

Seeing the orderly square character ‘Field’ before Wei Yong, I felt a jolt and took a deep breath.

Yue Leiting glanced down and burst out laughing, jubilant.

“I don’t even need Yan Hui to interpret this one.”

“Please, elaborate,” Wei Yong said calmly.

“See how properly this character is written? It means mind your own patch of land. Wei Yong is clearly a diligent man, devoted to his duties—no wonder he’s a secretary. Any task assigned will be completed meticulously. Am I right, Secretary Wei?”

Wei Yong smiled modestly and drank his wine; Yue Leiting, thinking his interpretation was spot-on, laughed heartily.

With the second bottle nearly finished, Zhao Yuanqiao looked across at Yue Leiting, speaking seriously.

“Yue, first let me thank you for tonight’s lavish dinner, especially for Yan Hui. We’ve truly enjoyed ourselves. But as the saying goes, all good things must end. We’ve eaten and drunk our fill. You’ve invited us out before, and now that we’re all together, if there’s anything you wish to discuss, please say it.”

Yue Leiting hadn’t expected Zhao Yuanqiao to be so direct—he’d wanted to build rapport over several meetings. But Zhao Yuanqiao laid it out immediately, which suited Yue Leiting perfectly. Wiping his mouth, he replied quietly,

“Leaders, no need for pretense. You all know what I do. In my circles, my word carries weight, though it’s nothing in your eyes. I wanted to make friends, so if ever you need my help, just say the word—I’ll go through fire and water for you. Secondly, I’ve prepared some gifts.”

“Gifts? Ha, last time it was a gold statue weighing a pound. We nearly drank ourselves to death. What gifts have you brought today?” Zhao Yuanqiao smiled meaningfully.

Yue Leiting glanced at Huo Qian, who quickly handed him a bag full of bundles of cash. To Yue Leiting, nobody in this world dislikes money.

But as he laid the bag on the table, he found my hand firmly pressed atop it.

“Let me explain Yue’s gift to the leaders,” I said.

“You always surprise us. What are you planning this time?” Zhao Yuanqiao beamed.

I drew a deep breath and spoke with unusual calm.

“Yue Leiting intends to present you with a tomb.”

“A tomb?!” Fan Liang looked up in astonishment.

“Yan Hui?! You…” Yue Leiting was dumbfounded, unsure what I meant.

I squeezed Yue Leiting’s hand under the table and said quietly,

“The Fourteenth Ming Tombs.”

Yue Leiting’s eyes widened—Huo Qian was equally stunned. They hadn’t expected me to reveal such a critical secret so suddenly.

“The Fourteenth Ming Tombs? Surely I misheard—you mean the Thirteen Ming Tombs, don’t you?” Luo Deyi’s face betrayed no surprise, only calm.

“In the geomancy world, there’s a rumor that Zhu Yuanzhang, fearing the fall of the Ming Dynasty, built a hidden site. Each emperor would send gold and jewels there annually, to serve as an emergency reserve. Its location was passed from ruler to heir by word of mouth, so no one else knew. But after Chongzhen hanged himself at Coal Hill, the secret was lost. This treasure’s resting place is the Fourteenth Ming Tombs—not housing emperors, but the lifeblood of the Ming Dynasty.” I spoke without hesitation.

“There’s no record of this in history, nor any archaeological evidence. You said yourself it’s a rumor—not reliable,” Fan Liang said, unhurried.

“In fact, it’s not just a rumor. We have found clues to the Fourteenth Ming Tombs, enough to prove their existence,” I replied steadily.

“You’re certain the Fourteenth Ming Tombs exist?” Luo Deyi asked.

I nodded with certainty.

“Wait, since there are Fourteenth Ming Tombs, you said you’d gift them to us. What do you mean by that?” Zhao Yuanqiao smiled meaningfully.

“The Fourteenth Ming Tombs hold treasures beyond price—wealth enough to rival nations. Whether for archaeology or cultural heritage, their discovery would be invaluable. If you three were to lead the excavation, it would be a monumental achievement for both the nation and yourselves.”

My words nearly made Yue Leiting collapse. He’d hoped to build connections—if you want something, you must give something. Rather than bribing, sharing the Fourteenth Ming Tombs would tempt anyone. With these three backing him, he’d rule Rong City. Plus, the tomb’s riches could be shared without loss—a win-win.

Yet from my tone, it wasn’t about dragging them into the scheme, but offering the tomb to the nation. What we had risked life and limb to obtain, I had just given away in a few words.

“If that’s the case, you could contact the archaeological institute directly. This clue is so important—providing it is a service to the country. So what use is it telling us?” Zhao Yuanqiao’s expression was calm, as if he’d known about the Fourteenth Ming Tombs all along.

“We’re not the only ones who know—though the clues are with us. You know Yue Leiting’s ties to the underworld; now many in those circles have heard of the tomb. If the archaeological team took over, by the time they found it, it would be empty.”

“So what do you want us to do?” Luo Deyi asked, smiling.

“Yue will locate the exact site. Once found, we’ll notify you three immediately, and you will oversee the excavation.”

“Interesting. By rights, Yue Leiting profits from tomb robbing and artifacts. Now that you know the tomb’s location, you could easily cash in. Yet you’re giving it to the country—what’s in it for you?” Zhao Yuanqiao asked, his gaze sharp.

Looking at Yue Leiting, I answered Zhao Yuanqiao resolutely, “We ask nothing. We hope to redeem ourselves, to atone—if disaster ever strikes, we trust you three will show mercy.”

Zhao Yuanqiao said nothing, rising with the others and leaving the room. At the door, he paused, looking back thoughtfully.

“This dinner was interesting, the wine even more so. The gift—most intriguing of all. But Qin Yanhui, you are the most interesting part of tonight. Ha ha ha.”