Chapter Fifty: I'm Willing to be Bait

  Liu Qingqing said, "This Biyu Buddha has not been activated with spiritual energy, it looks like an ordinary jade stone, but after activation, it will be crystal clear and have many functions." Liu Qingqing thought to herself that the first function is on the night of the full moon, it can transform into a door and traverse through time and space, however, I cannot tell you all, or else you will think I am a monster from another world.

  "After being activated, it would cause a person to become delusional and live in an imaginary world. However, because Zhenzhen met me, the two of our jade Buddhas mutually activated each other, so she won't contract this illness, and I was cured of my affliction."

  Chun Lan said: "I hear you're saying, sister, that you have the Biyu Buddha?"

  Liu Qingqing took out the emerald Buddha from her chest again, and everyone saw that it was indeed crystal clear and extraordinary. Liu Qingqing said: "The second function of this is to eliminate foolishness. I had this disease before, but only unintentionally, Zhenzhen cured my illness, it can be said that Zhenzhen is my lifesaver, I must rescue her."

  "But we don't know where he is or how to rescue her?" Qiuju asked, she was very worried about her daughter's safety, all these years, Zhenzhen had been her motivation for living.

  "It doesn't matter, the green jade Buddha is still sparkling and crystal clear, proving that Zhenzhen is safe and sound. If the green jade Buddha's color becomes dull and looks like a black ordinary stone, then Zhenzhen will be in danger." said Liu Qingqing.

  Hu Zhongren nodded in agreement, Ren Zhijie had once said that the Bìyù Fó has the effect of a single grain, which can be used on a full moon night to transform into a portal and lead you to your desired space; owning two grains can emit divine power and dispel magical obstacles. Three grains combined can form a storm tunnel, leading several people with fate to travel through different dimensions. But how did Liu Qingqing know so much detail? She said things that Zhijie had never mentioned, and there was no record of it in "Xie Du". Seeing her speak with such certainty, as if she had a good grasp on the subject, he couldn't help but curiously ask: "How do you know all this so clearly?"

  Liu Qingqing said: "I'm telling you all this because my grandma told me, our ancestors were well-versed in the art of mysticism, so they knew. I can assure you that Zhenzhen is fine, don't worry about it. Now, what we need to think about is how to lure out the people who caught her."

  Liu Qingqing looked at everyone, "I do have an idea. I once promised Lan Jiuniang that I would work for her in the Smoke Flower House for a month and create income for her. How about I lure this person out? If he's really after the Biyu Buddha, he'll definitely appear again."

  "Spring Orchid was the first to object, 'This is too dangerous. I don't agree. Although Jingjing is my daughter, but I'd rather not have you risk your life for her sake, and besides, it's likely that not only will you fail to catch the bad guy, but also put yourself in harm's way.'"

  Hu Zhongren said, "I also disagree. The person who took away Zhenzhen may not necessarily want to cure the disease. If they wanted to cure the disease, Qingqing's green jade Buddha would be more effective than Zhenzhen's. Moreover, Qingqing's illness is no secret. If it were about curing the disease, they should have taken Qingqing instead." Everyone nodded in agreement with his words.

  Liu Qingqing said: "Could it be that he is afraid of me, doesn't dare to catch me, or maybe it's just because of other reasons and we've been thinking in the wrong direction."

  Until the sky brightened, the four of them had no other ideas. Seeing that everyone was tired, Liu Qingqing suggested: "Why don't we each go our separate ways and wait for Lady Lan to return before making a decision?"

  Chun Lan and Qiu Ju nodded slightly, but didn't leave. They were worried about Zhen Zhen's whereabouts and safety, and couldn't close their eyes to rest. Xiao Lian and Liu Qingqing had both seen Zhen Zhen before, remembering the child as lively and lovely, clever and quick-witted. Now, they didn't know where she was, and their hearts were also heavy with worry. Among them, only Hu Zhongren hadn't seen Zhen Zhen before. Thinking of his own flesh and blood still in this world, he couldn't help but sigh and lament, making it even harder to fall asleep. He quickly walked out of the Smoke Flower Building and ordered Hu Dong, "Immediately dispatch people to investigate news about Zhen Zhen."

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on her, although no one spoke, but it was clear that they had pinned their hopes on Lan Ji. Old Lady Lan Ji returned to the Smoke Flower House at dawn and saw several people gathered in her own smoke flower pavilion, knowing they were waiting for news she brought back. Indeed, as soon as everyone saw her return, they immediately looked at her with hope. Old Lady Lan Ji shook her head. Everyone's heads drooped in disappointment.

  Lan Ji finished her breakfast and Liu Qingqing asked: "Auntie Lan, forgive my rudeness, have you gone to ask Feng Yun Er Gui about it?"

  Lan Ji said, "I'm really sorry for startling you last night. It was indeed Feng Yun and the two ghosts who extinguished the lights. They did intend to abduct you, but they didn't expect that our guest's martial arts skills were so high that he would rescue you. Firstly, they had planned to ambush you halfway, but unexpectedly, Ren Shen Xian and you traveled together again, and Ren Zhong Hu saved my senior brother's life. They are people who know how to repay kindness, so they didn't make another move. Now, they have returned home, and my senior brother's injuries have not fully recovered, requiring careful nursing. I rushed back from their house, and I can confirm that they did not take Zhen Zhen away."

  Liu Qing nodded slightly, believing Lan Ji's words. Feng Yun and the two ghosts were arrogant and would definitely dare to admit it if they had done it. But if not them, who else could it be? Thinking about it, she decided to lure the snake out of its hole and said: "I once promised Lan Ji that I would earn a month's worth of flower money for her. Now that my benefactor has agreed to let me stay here, we should take action soon?" Liu Qing looked at Hu Zhongren, indicating that he should speak up and confirm. Hu Zhongren was originally unwilling to let Liu Qing do this, but in front of outsiders, it wasn't good to say much, so he could only say: "Since the flower master and Lan Ji have an agreement, how can I go against it? I will follow orders."

  Lan Ji's grandmother was delighted and said, "I'm grateful to Lan Ji. I also hope that before I retire, I can pay more taxes for the king of Hanhai, to repay his kindness, and it's great that Hua Kui remembers our agreement."

  Liu Qingqing said, "Nothing's wrong, I've gotten what I wanted from you. Now, I have the same status as Gongzhu and possess the token of Hanhai Country, so I can come and go freely. This is all thanks to Lady Lanji. Most importantly, we turned enemies into friends through this Huakui Conference, which is the most celebratory thing. Besides, since Zhenzhen was captured, I believe Lady Lanji has raised her from a young age until she grew up, with deep affection that surpasses mine. We can take this opportunity to lure out the snake and see who exactly took our Zhenzhen." Her words moved Lady Lanji to tears.

  Lan Ji said with tears in her eyes: "Although we haven't been together for long, I feel that Hua Kui understands me deeply. Indeed, as you said, I have no children of my own and have always regarded Zhen Zhen as my own granddaughter. If I can entrust Zhen Zhen to handle things after I'm gone, I will be at peace. Unfortunately, whoever dares to harm my dear one will be torn into pieces by me."

  Chun Lan heard this and knelt down with a thud: "Grandma's great kindness, Chun Lan is grateful and remembers it in her heart. Especially the deep love for Zhen Zhen, Chun Lan has seen it with her own eyes and remembered it in her heart. Today, if she can find Zhen Zhen, she will definitely advise her to support Grandma and let Grandma live a happy life."

  "Alright, good daughter, you gave birth to a clever and lovely granddaughter for me, but I have been wary of you, which is not right. From now on, we should treat each other like family."

  Parting with a smile wipes out all past grievances.

  Lan Ji's grandmother rallied her spirits, "Everyone go and prepare, continue to search for the horse, Huakui you just trouble, we issue a notice, see who comes first."

  A few people consulted and decided to invite Liu Qingqing as the master of Peony Palace. The news spread, and everyone rushed to inform each other. In the evening, they competed to be the first person. Hu Zhongren suppressed his desire to be the first honored guest and sat in the Wealth God Pavilion waiting for news.

  Why not at the fireworks building, but at the financial god's inn? One is because he was indeed very tired. Two is that Lan Ji feared he would be impulsive and disturb the bidding guests.

  The Peony Pavilion lanterns shine brightly, and many men have come here to compete for the top spot. Everyone has seen the Flower Queen's elegant appearance at the grand meeting, and they all admire her skills. What everyone is thinking about in their hearts is one thing: even if they don't win the bid, it's still a delightful thing to see how the noble guests and the Flower Queen interact.

  It's time to announce the winner of the bid. Yang Liuqing, dressed up and looking radiant, walked into the central hall. Let's take a look, who is the lucky winner? Upon taking a glance, alarm bells started ringing in her mind, who is it?

  What's going on with him? Could it be...? Liu Qingqing thought of Yang Liuqing, who used to seduce her brother-in-law Hu Zhongren's wife. Could he have found out that Zhenzhen is Hu Zhongren's daughter? No, that can't be right. Only Lanlan and I know that Zhenzhen's biological mother is Chunlan. Outsiders wouldn't know about it. So what was his purpose in coming tonight?

  Although there are thousands of knots in her heart, she doesn't reveal a single hint on her face. Smiling, she takes Yangliuqing's hand and invites him into the Peony Pavilion.

  "Guests are favored with courtesy." The green willow is tender and delicate, full of charm and elegance.

  Yang Liuqing felt like her nose was about to bleed. She believed that if Hu Zhongren saw the look on Liu Qing's face, he would be furious and jump with rage.

  "Qing Qing, you have suffered."

  Liu Qingqing looked like she had just discovered something new, "So you're Young Master Yang, when did you arrive in Huanhai Country?"

  Yang Liuqing smiled awkwardly, remembering that he was forced out by the Hu people, and hated it, "Still not my good cousin, he didn't allow me to be active in Tianchao, so I came to Hanhai."

  "When it comes to Brother Shao's departure, Qingqing still feels heartache today, all because of me, Brother Shao had to endure such hardship. Today we meet again, Qingqing has nothing else but to dance a Flying Heaven Dance for Brother Shao to express her feelings." With that, Liu Qingqing stepped onto the performance stage in the central hall and performed a Flying Heaven Dance.

  Today, Liu Qingqing had two buns on her head, each tied with a red silk ribbon, which made her black hair even more striking. She wore a tight-fitting short jacket and loose, wide-legged pants, all made of red silk. Before taking the stage, she gave an introduction: "Today, this flying dance is specially performed for my honored guest. Thank you everyone for your attention. After this dance, I will accompany my guest alone, so everyone can disperse. Tomorrow, hurry to come early, and Huahua will do her best to satisfy you."

  A heavenly dance, unheard of in the mortal world.

  The guests reluctantly bid farewell and left, while Liu Qingqing accompanied Yang Liu to return to the Peony Pavilion, where they shared stories of old times and felt a sense of nostalgia.

  Yang Liuqing said: "I came here today, hoping that you and I can leave together, and spend the rest of our beautiful time. I know that Hu Zhongren is richer than me, but I have a sincere heart for you."

  Liu Qing didn't interrupt his confession. She listened quietly, a sincere smile on her face, and Yang Liuqing felt that the happiest thing in the world was this - sitting with the one she loved, talking until the end of time.

  When Yang Liuqing had finished speaking, Liu Qingqing said: "Young Master Biao, I actually have a favor to ask. Blue Sister's granddaughter, Zhenzhen, has either been kidnapped or lost and there has been no news for a whole day. Can Young Master Biao help find her?"

  After finishing speaking, carefully observe Yang Liuqing's expression. Yang Liuqing said: "What's difficult about this? I'll immediately send someone to investigate her whereabouts."