Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 126 The Grand Scenery of the Capital, An Unexpected Discovery

Under the leadership of the Marquis's mansion, the capital's economy flourished, and all industries thrived. Shops lined the streets, bustling with people, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares filled the air.

In the silk shop, the colorful silks are dazzling; in the jewelry store, the dazzling jewels shine brightly; in the restaurant, the seats are full of guests, and laughter and joy fill the air.

"The capital city is getting more and more lively these days," an old man said with a sigh as he leisurely sipped his tea at a tea stall on the street.

"Yes, thanks to the Marquis's good deeds and good governance, our lives are getting better and better," a young man next to him chimed in.

The market was filled with all sorts of goods, from everyday items to rare antiques. People strolled through the market, selecting their favorite items.

“This comb is so beautiful, my wife will love it.” A young man held up a beautiful comb, his face beaming with happiness.

"This fabric is so fine; I'll make a new dress for my child." A woman touched a piece of soft fabric, her heart filled with joy.

Children laughed and played in the street, chasing colorful kites.

"Haha, you can't catch me!" A little boy ran happily, his laughter echoing through the streets and alleys.

The sound of students reading aloud could be heard from the schoolroom.

"To learn and practice what you have learned is a pleasure, isn't it?" Confucius taught his students earnestly, and the students listened attentively.

In the fields, farmers work diligently, their hearts filled with hope as they gaze at the thriving crops.

"This year is another bumper harvest!" An old farmer wiped the sweat from his forehead, a satisfied smile on his face.

The security in the capital is getting better and better, and the patrolling soldiers are conscientious and responsible, which makes the people feel extremely safe.

At night, the capital city is brightly lit. The riverside night market is bustling with activity, and various snacks emit tempting aromas.

"Come and try these freshly baked sesame cakes, they're fragrant and crispy!" the stall owner warmly greeted the customers.

"This lantern is so beautiful!" A young woman held a beautiful lantern, admiring it dearly.

Inside the theater, a wonderful opera was being performed, and the audience below the stage applauded continuously.

However, behind this prosperity lie some unknown problems.

Some unscrupulous merchants have begun to sell inferior goods as superior ones, deceiving consumers.

"This thing is not worth the price at all, this is fraud!" a customer angrily accused the merchant.

Some officials were also tempted by the profits and began to embezzle and accept bribes.

"If you don't handle this matter properly, you'll be in big trouble!" an official threatened his subordinate.

After learning about these circumstances, Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu decided to take measures to rectify the situation.

"We cannot allow these negative phenomena to undermine the prosperity of the capital," Xiao Ling said.

Su Jinxiu nodded: "We must crack down hard and restore a clean and peaceful environment to the capital."

They began to strengthen market supervision and severely punish illegal businessmen; they also rectified the atmosphere in officialdom and eliminated corrupt officials.

Thanks to their efforts, the prosperity of the capital was sustained, and the lives of the people became happier and more fulfilling...

That day, sunlight streamed through the windows into the Hou mansion's storeroom. Su Jinxiu, accompanied by several maids, came to sort through the mountain of family heirlooms. They carefully wiped each item, categorizing and arranging them neatly.

“Madam, these things haven’t been touched in a long time,” a maid said.

Su Jinxiu nodded gently and continued what she was doing. Just then, she noticed an old wooden box in a corner.

"Open this box and take a look," Su Jinxiu instructed.

The maids struggled to open the chest, which was filled with yellowed scrolls and some odds and ends. Su Jinxiu reached out and rummaged through them, and a slightly worn-out notebook caught her eye.

She gently opened the journal; the handwriting was somewhat blurred, but still legible. As she read on, Su Jinxiu's expression grew increasingly solemn.

"This...it actually records such a thing," Su Jinxiu murmured to herself.

It turns out that the notes mentioned that the Marquis's ancestors had interacted with a mysterious master. This master predicted that the Marquis's family would face a great crisis in the future, but also left behind a way to avert it.

Su Jinxiu was filled with doubt and worry: "Could it be that the current prosperity of the Marquis's mansion is just a facade, and a crisis is about to come?"

She decided to keep the matter a secret for now and think of a solution on her own.

However, secrets don't stay hidden forever. Somehow, news of Su Jinxiu discovering the notes spread throughout the Marquis's residence.

"I heard that the lady has discovered an extraordinary notebook containing secrets about the Marquis's mansion."

"I really don't know if it's a blessing or a curse."

The servants were talking amongst themselves, and everyone was filled with anxiety.

After learning about this, Xiao Ling went to find Su Jinxiu.

"Jinxiu, what exactly happened?" Xiao Ling asked.

Su Jinxiu hesitated for a moment, but still told him the contents of the note.

Xiao Ling pondered for a moment: "Whether this prophecy is true or false, we must be prepared."

They began secretly investigating clues about the mysterious master mentioned in the notes, hoping to find more answers.

During the investigation, they encountered numerous difficulties.

"It seems like all the clues have been deliberately erased." Xiao Ling frowned.

Su Jinxiu was also very confused: "Is someone trying to prevent us from knowing the truth?"

Just when they were in trouble, a mysterious stranger appeared.

“I can help you,” the stranger said.

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu looked at him warily: "Who are you? Why are you helping us?"

The stranger smiled slightly: "Who I am is not important; what's important is that I know the answer you're looking for."

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu exchanged a glance and decided to follow the strangers to find out what was going on. Little did they know, this would be an even more dangerous journey…