Reborn As Super Heiress

The master and apprentice followed the address on the card, arriving at an old commercial district, asking for directions as they walked, and turned into an alley. The further Huo Sining walked, the more puzzled she became, her expression growing peculiar.

This road, why does it seem more familiar the more I walk? Huo Sining hesitated inwardly, but was still somewhat in disbelief, thinking it was merely a coincidence.

It wasn’t until the two stood in front of a familiar mansion that Huo Sining saw the small blue plaque nailed to the wall with the inscription ”Huaiyin Street No. 49,” that she couldn’t help but widen her eyes, drop her jaw in disbelief, her face full of astonishment.

How could this be? Impossible!

Why would it be here?!

Huo Sining was somewhat confused, feeling that there must be a mistake somewhere.

In front of her stood an old Republic of China residence, a two-story gateway building, with a marble plaque tightly adhering to the wall at the base of the gateway. It bore a string of numbers and was engraved with two lines of simplified characters: Beijing Cultural Relics Registration and Protection Unit, The Former Residence of Xicheng District Military Governor Yan Tielin.

Indeed, this address was precisely the residence of that Madam Yan who personally sought out Jubao Pavilion back then. Sining was very familiar with this place because she and Li Quan had once personally accompanied Madam Yan to retrieve items for collecting antiques from the Yan family. Moreover, due to the oddities of the Yan family affairs, Sining remembered it vividly.

It was precisely because of this familiarity that Huo Sining felt astonished. She had visited Madam Yan’s home and knew of the circumstances there. Her husband had passed away, she was elderly, and her sons and grandsons were not particularly filial people, only caring about selling Mr. Yan’s antiques, with little concern for the two elders’ lives and deaths.

With such family conditions, one could practically see everything at a glance. How could Old Mr. Zhong be hiding here?! Even thinking with your toes you’d know it’s impossible!

The first thought upon seeing this place was whether Liang Ruining had played a trick on her, or if the person who sneaked into her room that night was not just her father, but someone else. Was this card even left by Liang Ruining, or was it someone else?

Feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, Sining wanted to explain to Zhou Shitao, but unexpectedly, Zhou Shitao directly crossed the threshold of Yan’s residence and walked straight in.

After taking just a few steps, they saw an elderly lady bending over at the staircase entrance in the courtyard, watering several flowers and plants with a watering can. Sining instantly recognized that lady—it was the elderly Madam Yan she had met months ago.

At that moment, Madam Yan seemed to realize someone had entered the courtyard, lifted her head in surprise to glance over, and asked puzzledly, ”Who are you looking for?”

”Madam Yan...” Since they had come in and were even noticed, Sining couldn’t just pull her master away. She steeled herself and stepped forward, greeting Madam Yan.

”Who are you?” Madam Yan looked at Sining, first a little confused, then suddenly enlightened, ”Ah, it’s you, aren’t you the owner of Jubao Pavilion, Miss Huo?”

Sining nodded: ”That’s me, Madam Yan, your memory is remarkable!”

Madam Yan chuckled and shook her head: ”Not at all, I’ve gotten old, my memory isn’t what it used to be, I often forget things. Miss Huo, please come in. And this gentleman is?”

Leading the master and apprentice into the courtyard, Madam Yan glanced at Zhou Shitao with curiosity.

Sining quickly smiled and introduced, ”This is my mentor, his surname is Zhou. Teacher, this is Lady Yan.”

Zhou Shitao nodded, greeted Madam Yan, but his gaze was keenly sizing up the little building.

Madam Yan invited them both to sit down, looking at Zhou Shitao with a smile, ”So you are Miss Huo’s mentor. Miss Huo is incredibly clever at such a young age, especially her sharp insight for appraising antiques. Mr. Zhou, you’ve nurtured a promising student!”

Sining showed a hint of embarrassment, murmuring bashfully, ”You flatter me. My teacher is quite accomplished in appraising, I’ve only learned a bit of skin-deep knowledge from him.”

Madam Yan said earnestly, ”That’s modesty. Those items of mine were all handled by you. Being so young yet managing such a large shop is no simple feat, being capable and humble is commendable. If only my grandsons and granddaughters had a tenth of your ability.”

Speaking of this, Madam Yan suddenly remembered something, turned to Sining with some excitement, ”By the way, the box I entrusted to your shop has been there for several months—has anyone recognized the origins of that book?”

Sining paused, shook her head, ”Indeed, some people expressed wanting to buy the book and the gem upon seeing them, yet no one could verify the origins, so the box is still kept at the shop.”

Madam Yan immediately appeared puzzled, glancing at the master and apprentice, asked bewilderedly, ”So your visit today is for…”

Upon hearing this, Sining instantly understood. The old lady mistook their visit as related to the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Although Sining had concluded this might be someone’s prank, since they were here, if they didn’t clear things up, her teacher wouldn’t let it go.

Thinking this, Sining braced herself to ask, ”Lady Yan, we are here to inquire about someone.”

”Someone? Who?” Madam Yan appeared surprised, glancing at Sining in astonishment.

Sining subconsciously raised her head to glance at Zhou Shitao: ”Do you know a person named Old Mr. Zhong?”

The smile on Madam Yan’s face froze instantly, her gaze flickered a few times, then she shook her head: ”I don’t know him.”

Seeing Madam Yan’s expression, Sining instantly felt something was off.

She had dealt with Madam Yan before, and she was a straightforward person, quite decent, an exceptionally rare knowledgeable and insightful academic, clearly from a distinguished family—such a person wouldn’t logically associate with a misguided antique dealer.

However, just now upon hearing the name ”Old Mr. Zhong,” Madam Yan’s expression became quite unnatural, appearing very peculiar.

Sining quickly exchanged a glance with her mentor, after a moment of silence, she took out a teacup from her backpack, placing it on the coffee table before Madam Yan.

”Lady Yan, could I have a chat with you?”