My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 226 - 123: The First Confrontation Between Phoenix and Li Anning_3

After the couple died, their property went unclaimed, and according to Daxia Law, all of the Huang Family’s assets would be confiscated by the government and added to the National Treasury.

Two Chiefs from the Ministry of Justice thus lamented that one must leave descendants, otherwise, after death, everything they had struggled for would just go to the court.

Speaking of the Huang Family’s property, Li Nuo suddenly recalled something.

That painting hanging in the bedroom of the Huang couple, if it were an authentic piece by Gu Youzhi, then the entire Huang Family’s wealth combined might not be as valuable as this single painting.

With that thought, Li Nuo turned around and walked back to the room.

The Phoenix one-day experience card had long expired, and standing in front of that painting again, Li Nuo could no longer perceive its intricacies.

For a moment, he was unsure whether he had been mistaken initially.

Compared to wasting a day of his life, it was still better to call over Phoenix.

A moment later.

In the Jade Sound Pavilion, Phoenix, who was arranging flowers, looked at Li Nuo and asked, "Go out with you, but where to?"

Li Nuo said, "There’s something I need your help with; it’s not something that can be explained in just a few words. Just come with me, don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you..."

Phoenix glanced at him.

What did he mean by ’don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you’?

With her beautiful features, splendid figure, and diverse talents, countless men harbored ill intentions towards her. Why should she be reassured?

That statement was truly hurtful.

But she had grown accustomed to being hurt by him, put down the flower stem, and said, "Then wait a moment, I’ll touch up my makeup..."

Li Nuo said, "No need for makeup, I’m in quite a hurry, we’ll be back soon."

Seeing his urgency, Phoenix gave up on her intention to touch up her makeup.

However, as she entered a certain residence and saw Li Anning, she regretted not freshening up her makeup on the way.

This woman clearly hadn’t dressed up carefully today.

If she had applied a carefully prepared makeup, she could have easily outshone her slight disadvantage in figure.

Li Nuo entered the room, yet Phoenix did not follow.

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Turning back, he found Phoenix standing in the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought, a mysterious smile on her face.

Li Nuo cleared his throat and said, "Over here."

Phoenix snapped back to reality, tucked away her daydreams, and followed Li Nuo into the room. She was first startled by the messy room and dried bloodstains, then her gaze caught sight of a painting on the wall, and her expression momentarily froze. She quickly approached and exclaimed in surprise, "It’s Gu Youzhi’s ’Mountain Residence Painting’. Such an authentic-looking copy is rare to see on the market..."

As she drew closer, the expression on Phoenix’s face gradually changed; she examined the painting closely and said in shock, "No, this isn’t a copy; it’s an original. How can Gu Youzhi’s ’Mountain Residence Painting’ be here!"

Li Nuo, seeing Phoenix’s astonished reaction, asked, "Are you sure it’s the original?"

Phoenix affirmed, "I have seen genuine works by Gu Youzhi, and without a doubt, this ’Mountain Residence Painting’ is the original. But this painting has been lost for ten years. How did it end up here?"

Li Nuo said puzzledly, "Lost?"

Phoenix continued to examine the painting while explaining, "Gu Youzhi’s ’Mountain Residence Painting’ was originally a treasured possession of Daxia’s current Emperor. More than twenty years ago, His Majesty granted this painting to the Crown Prince. Ten years ago, when the Crown Prince fell ill and passed away, the Eastern Palace was burgled, and many treasures were stolen, this painting included. It’s unexpected to find it here..."

Li Nuo was taken aback.

He had never imagined that a mere merchant could have ties to the Royal Family.

The Huang couple were unlikely to be the ones who had snuck into the Eastern Palace.

The palace guards were strict; not to mention the couple, even Li Nuo himself didn’t have the means.

Could it be that the thief, ignorant of the painting’s value, had sold it off, and the Huang couple had bought it?

Beside Li Nuo, Li Anning appeared somewhat distracted.

Although she had only vague memories of the Father Emperor.

Her brother, the Crown Prince, had cherished her dearly.

With her Mother passing away early, the Crown Prince often visited her in the palace, always bringing her a multitude of fun and delicious things.

She had wept for a long time when the Crown Prince fell ill and died.

Suddenly hearing these matters stirred some distant memories.

Li Nuo looked at the painting on the wall.

Knowing its provenance, it should naturally be returned to its rightful owner.

The Crown Prince was gone, and this painting should also be reclaimed by the Royal Family.

Although he didn’t know why the treasures lost from the Eastern Palace had ended up here, it seemed as if fate had intervened. After ten years of circuitous journeys, the treasure had nonetheless returned to the Royal Family.

As he examined the ’Mountain Residence Painting,’ Li Nuo’s hand instinctively came to rest on a vase about half his height that stood below the painting.

This was due to a certain professional habit.

Wealthy households, for security reasons, would not leave their valuables out in the open.

They often constructed hidden compartments in their bedrooms or other places, operated by a disguised wall brick, a vase, a pot plant ornament, and so on.

In Chang’an, there were stores run by disciples of the Mohist school, which specialized in designing such mechanisms.

Some seasoned thieves, when burgling a house, would habitually press or turn these items upon encountering them.

Li Nuo subconsciously twisted the vase.

But the vase, as if glued in place, didn’t budge an inch.

Somewhat surprised, he looked down at the vase and exerted a bit more force.

Click...

With the slow turning of the vase, the corner of the room’s floor gradually sank, revealing a set of stairs leading downwards.

He and Li Anning exchanged glances; this might very well be where the Huang couple kept their valuables.

Of course, it all belonged to the court now.

Before long, Ministry of Justice officials were carrying out wooden boxes one by one from the underground chamber.