Chapter 132: The Lin Family’s Treasure

Lin Wenyan and An Yu reacted swiftly and immediately rushed over. However, when they turned the corner, the place was deserted.

“Big brother, did you catch them?” Lin Beitao ran up as well.

“No one’s here,” Lin Wenyan said in a low voice.

“What? How could they vanish so quickly? Did they burrow underground or something?” Lin Beitao shivered involuntarily. “Could it really be… ghosts?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lin Sangqian walked over and said, “I just heard footsteps, and ghosts don’t run on the ground—they float, don’t they?”

Otherwise, why would ghosts be called ‘floaters’?

Lin Beitao thought about it and nodded in agreement.

“There’s a household here,” Guan Yanqing said.

“Hmm.” Lin Sangqian glanced at the nearby house. The front door seemed ajar, with a small gap showing.

At that moment, a middle-aged man appeared at the door. He peeked out nervously and asked, “Who’s there?”

Startled by the crowd, he quickly relaxed when he recognized them. “Oh, it’s just people. You scared me! Hey, what are you all doing outside my door in the middle of the night?”

“Sir, did you hear any noises just now?” An Yu asked.

“Yeah! That crying was terrifying! My goodness, it’s been two nights in a row. It must be that haunted house over there! If you ask me, the people living there should move out quickly—if something really happens, it’ll be too late… Alright, alright, you’d better leave now!”

With that, the man withdrew his head and shut the door tightly.

“What now, little sister?” Lin Beitao asked helplessly.

They hadn’t caught the tricksters, and the crying had stopped.

“Let’s head back for now,” Lin Sangqian said.

“Okay.”

The group began to retreat, but Lin Sangqian cast a glance to the right.

“What’s wrong?” Guan Yanqing asked.

“Mrs. Xia’s house is over there—the strange woman you mentioned today.”

Guan Yanqing followed her gaze, but it was pitch dark, nothing unusual visible.

“Let’s go back first.”

“Alright.”

After the two left, a shadow stealthily slipped out from the middle-aged man’s house and headed straight toward Mrs. Xia’s home.

Unbeknownst to her, Guan Yanqing and Lin Sangqian hadn’t left; they were hiding in the shadows, watching her every move clearly.

---

Mrs. Xia was still awake. As soon as the figure entered, she quickly lit a candle.

“Why are you back so early?” Mrs. Xia asked reproachfully.

“Don’t mention it, mother. I almost got caught!” Her daughter-in-law, Qu, was clutching her chest, still shaken.

“What happened? Someone dared to come out?” Mrs. Xia was alarmed.

“Exactly! It was that Lin family! I didn’t expect them to be so bold. Even with that haunted house and the crying at night, they still dared to show up!”

Mrs. Xia spat fiercely on the ground. “What now? If they don’t move out, we won’t be able to search for the treasure!”

“Mother, who exactly told you there’s treasure there?”

“That’s none of your business. Anyway, there must be. Otherwise, how could they have made so much money moving here from the countryside?”

“True. But we can’t use that trick anymore. If I hadn’t been quick-witted just now, we’d have been caught for sure!”

Under the candlelight, Mrs. Xia’s face seemed to twist. “Then we must think of another way…”

---

The next morning, Lin Sangqian steamed a pot of large meat buns, cooked some egg porridge, fried scallion pancakes, and prepared a few small pickles.

An Yu happily snagged some breakfast, eating with great relish.

If only he could eat Lin Sangqian’s cooking every day, he would surely worship her like a goddess!

But unfortunately, after breakfast, he would leave with Guan Yanqing.

It made sense—they couldn’t impose forever, eating and staying at someone else’s home.

Lin Sangqian saw them off at the door. Before they boarded the carriage, Guan Yanqing said to her, “There shouldn’t be any more crying sounds after this.”

“Mm,” Lin Sangqian nodded. “The tricksters will probably lay low for a few days, too.”

Guan Yanqing nodded, preparing to get on the carriage, when Lin Sangqian suddenly said, “The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up. Young Master Guan, why don’t you come celebrate at our place?”

Guan Yanqing was momentarily taken aback.

“Is that alright? Also, please help me invite Madam Kang from your household.” Lin Sangqian smiled warmly.

Since Yu Jingxiao was away and Guan Yanqing wasn’t close with Kang Ya, they would likely spend the Dragon Boat Festival apart.

Celebrating alone would be lonely.

Better to join them, and meanwhile, she could strengthen their ties.

Why not hitch a ride on a powerful ally?

“Alright.” Guan Yanqing didn’t hesitate and agreed quickly.

An Yu nearby grinned from ear to ear.

He’d get to mooch another meal!

---

After seeing Guan Yanqing off, Lin Sangqian prepared to deliver chicken feet to Fu Man Tavern.

At that moment, Mrs. Xia ambled over once again.

“Little Sangqian,” she said weakly, “last night I didn’t sleep well because of the noise again.”

“Yes, Mrs. Xia,” Lin Sangqian replied calmly. “I heard it too.”

Suddenly, she showed a timid expression. “It’s really frightening. Looks like this place truly isn’t livable.”

“Exactly!” Mrs. Xia’s eyes lit up. “If you live here, sooner or later something will happen!”

Lin Sangqian smiled. “You seem eager for us to move out?”

“Huh?” Mrs. Xia was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered. “I’m just worried about your safety. It’s best to move sooner rather than later.”

“Mm.” Lin Sangqian nodded and asked, “By the way, how’s your daughter-in-law doing lately?”

Mrs. Xia’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to answer, “She’s fine… Why do you ask?”

“Just concerned.”

As Lin Sangqian finished speaking, the chicken feet were packed up. She turned and boarded the ox cart, heading off directly.

Mrs. Xia stood frozen, her hands and feet icy cold.

Could Lin Sangqian have discovered something? But Qu clearly said she wasn’t seen last night…

She must be overthinking.

---

After delivering the chicken feet, Lin Sangqian arrived at Mai Ken Ji and opened for business.

Not long after, a horse carriage pulled up. It was lavish and exuded a faint fragrance.

The carriage stopped at Mai Ken Ji’s entrance, and two women stepped down.

One was familiar to Lin Sangqian—Madam Cheng, Kang Ya’s so-called close friend.

The other woman was exquisitely beautiful, both in features and attire, yet carried an aura of strength and valor—a female general’s presence.

“Miss Lin!” Madam Cheng greeted her with a bright smile. “I came to support you.”

Though she and Kang Ya were fake friends, she quite liked Lin Sangqian.

“Madam Cheng,” Lin Sangqian stepped forward and returned the greeting with a smile. “And this is?”

“She’s my friend, surname Murong. By the way, her husband is the esteemed Master Hou of the Ru Literature Hall—you must have heard of him.”