CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165: WENREN JIA

Tang Xiaobai ran back to Bright Moon Building and took out a small box.

Upon opening it, she found a collection of uniquely shaped seals.

She picked through them twice and suddenly slapped her forehead, closed the box, and ran towards the pavilion in the bamboo grove.

"Here they are!" Tang Xiaobai placed the box on the table and gave it a pat.

This so-called letter from the Turkic leader to Qin Yu was uniquely sealed with a small stamp.

Interestingly, this stamp looked familiar to her.

This time Tang Shigong returned with quite a few confiscated seals.

They weren’t official seals, but unique private ones, some with Han characters, others with Turkic script.

The seal on the letter was in Turkic script, she had seen it before!

The two of them took out and examined the seals one by one, finally finding a jade seal with a wolf knob.

They dabbed it with ink, stamped it on paper, and compared them—

"This is it!" Tang Xiaobai said excitedly.

But then she felt there was nothing to be excited about.

The successful match proved that the letter indeed came from the Turkic side, making the evidence even more undeniable?

"Seals can be forged," Li Mu said, putting away the letter and the paper with the imprint, "But only those specializing in it can tell the difference."

The Ministry of Justice has such specialists, but they’re not his people, contacting them recklessly might be risky.

"I know someone skilled in this!" Tang Xiaobai suddenly said.

"Who?" Li Mu raised his head abruptly.

"Wenren Jia!"

...

East Market and West Market of the Capital City.

East Market mainly sells expensive goods, targeting distinguished clients in the Capital, and the merchants operating there generally have some connections locally.

West Market is a gathering place for foreign merchants, selling fresh and exotic items, ideal for treasure hunting. Tang Xiaobai prefers to wander West Market for its surprises.

As a bookstore, it would have a brighter future in East Market, but Wenren Bookstore chose to open in West Market.

For this, Tang Xiaobai guessed it was because the owner, Wenren Jia, had no backing.

Wenren Jia was not a native of the Capital City, rumored to be from somewhere in Hedong, living alone in the Capital, running a bookstore, and his looks helped him become one of the Ten Young Masters of the Capital, even ranking above Tang Ziqian.

Upon sighting Wenren Bookstore, Tang Xiaobai also saw the crowd at the door, the business thriving beyond a typical bookstore.

Many passersby, whether genuinely passing by or deliberately, walked slowly while glancing over at the bookstore.

"How... to go in?" Tang Xiaobai viewed it with trepidation.

Cheng Zi also looked and subtly suggested, "Perhaps send someone in first to inform the owner, then clear the customers for the Second Miss to enter?"

Tang Xiaobai was surprised, "Is that okay?" Isn’t that a closed store service?

Cheng Zi nodded, "The eldest lady dislikes crowds, she buys things like this."

Tang Xiaobai looked at the people in the bookstore, still hesitated, "What if the store owner, Wenren, doesn’t fear authority and firmly refuses, wouldn’t that be embarrassing for me?"

Cheng Zi was startled, shook his head, "No, didn’t Princess Runan do this last time?"

Last time was last year.

Back then, Tang Xiaobai first heard about the existence of the "Ten Young Masters of the Capital," and found out this bookstore owner even ranked above Tang Ziqian, so she went specifically to see Wenren Jia.

When she arrived, Princess Runan was enjoying a closed store service inside, the Princess Guards impressively blocked half the street, and Tang Xiaobai listened hard at the entrance to some gossip about Princess Runan and Wenren Jia.

Princess Runan was the emperor’s daughter, whom he dearly wanted to marry to Tang Ziqian.

Yet, not only was the Duke Yan Mansion against this, but Princess Runan herself was unwilling.

Princess Runan’s affection for Wenren Jia was well-known throughout the Capital City.

But to those in power, this meant little.

That said, a princess can easily enjoy closed store service, she—

"I’ll go in to greet him." Li Mu said as he jumped off the carriage.

Tang Xiaobai suddenly sensed an aura of hostility, intending to call him back, but the young master had walked away within two or three steps.

Upon closely observing his back, she felt no reason for concern.

Tang Xiaobai self-deprecatingly smiled, why would there be hostility? The young master had no grievances with Wenren Jia, only accompanying her on a few distant looks.

Li Mu went in and came out not long after.

Subsequently, the customers in the bookstore were indeed coaxed to leave, within less than fifteen minutes, Wenren Bookstore was cleared.

The bookstore’s owner, Wenren Jia, then emerged, dressed elegantly in white, like the moon rising over a mountain.

He stood at the door, smiling, and greeted with a common gesture.

"Second Miss!" The boy’s cold voice suddenly sounded in her ear, jolting Tang Xiaobai from her mesmerized state.

Turning her head, she saw the young master’s tense face, his gaze icy.

"Get off the carriage." He said lightly.

Tang Xiaobai saw how jealous he was, dared not look at Wenren Jia more, and obediently murmured, "Oh," as she got off the carriage with his arm for support as usual.

Though supported steadily, at the moment she jumped off the carriage, the support was gone—

Then, she leaned forward, landing right in Li Mu’s arms.

Li Mu helped her stand steady and adjusted her dress, saying nonchalantly, "Be careful."

Tang Xiaobai glared at him helplessly, unable to say anything outside, only patting her skirt and walking towards the bookstore as if nothing happened.

...

Tang Xiaobai and her entourage were guided to the second floor.

The second floor resembled a tea room, with the fragrance of ink and artistic aura, an ancient zither hung, quite elegant.

Wenren Jia personally served Tang Xiaobai a fragrant drink, smiling asked, "The presence of Second Miss Tang, may I ask what brings you here?"

Tang Xiaobai got straight to the point, "I’ve heard Mr. Wenren is skilled in seal verification, I have a stamp and its imprints, and I’d like to ask if you could verify their authenticity."

Wenren Jia smiled gently, "Not daring to claim skill, but willing to assist the Second Miss."

Tang Xiaobai signaled to Li Mu.

The chilly-faced young master then approached, placing his book bag on the table.

The force seemed slightly excessive, producing a "bang" sound.

Tang Xiaobai instinctively squinted a bit, feeling sorry for the seals inside.

As Wenren Jia turned to retrieve paper and ink, Li Mu took out two seals and a sheet of paper, laying them on the table.

"Please see, on this paper, three imprints, used from one seal, match which imprint." Tang Xiaobai said while holding her fragrant drink, smiling brightly.

Wenren Jia’s glance scanned them, paused a moment, and then looked up at her.

These two seals appeared identical, the three imprints on the paper also looked identical.

They were specially prepared by her and Ah Xiao for Wenren Jia.

The seal related to the evidence was too important to casually show anyone.

At least, they need to ensure Wenren Jia’s genuine ability first.

However, this might feel like playing tricks, potentially triggering Wenren Jia’s backlash.

Thus, Tang Xiaobai prepared an explanation.

Yet, the prepared explanation couldn’t be used.

Wenren Jia slighted a smile, asked nothing, and smoothly sat down, quietly observing closely.

Tang Xiaobai unconsciously sat upright and thoughtfully observed Wenren Jia.

How come this person shows no resistance whatsoever?