Travel through the heavens

Fang Muye's gaze swept over the various paintbrushes displayed on the desk, and he spoke gently: "Mr. Xu, may I take a look at the brushes you used when you were painting?"

Seeing Fang Muye's composed demeanor, and knowing that he was not wearing the official uniform of the Zhenfu Division, but was able to come with Gu Yueqing and stand side by side, Xu Wenyuan did not dare to be negligent even though he did not know his specific identity, and immediately replied, "Please wait a moment, young master."

He walked to the desk, picked out a brush from among the several brushes on it, and handed it to Fang Muye with both hands: "Young master, this is the brush I used back then."

Fang Muye took the paintbrush and examined it carefully. Gu Yueqing, Fu Qingfeng, and Fu Yuechi also looked over curiously.

The brush handle was purplish-black, the wood was fine-grained, and the grain was natural and smooth like mountains, rivers, clouds, and mist. It also emitted a faint fragrance, clearly indicating that it was made of high-quality sandalwood.

While using sandalwood to make penholders is precious, it's not exactly rare or unusual.

Looking at the brush tip, it is made of reddish-brown hair. When you gently turn the brush handle, the hair gleams faintly in the light.

Fang Muye's gaze sharpened as he carefully sensed the brush, and he actually caught a faint trace of spirituality in the brush.

Because of this spiritual quality, this paintbrush is no longer an ordinary item; it can barely be considered a magical artifact.

Xu Wenyuan's obsession was expressed on paper through this special "ritual implement," and by chance, the woman in the painting came to be imbued with spirit.

Fang Muye looked up at Xu Wenyuan and asked, "Mr. Xu, what kind of animal hair is the bristles of this paintbrush made of?"

Xu Wenyuan paused for a moment, then said, "This, I don't know either."

Before Fang Muye could ask further, he explained, "To be honest, young master, this paintbrush was not purchased by me, but was a gift from a customer."

Gu Yueqing had been observing Fang Muye's expression and actions, and knew that he must have discovered something before asking the question. So she said softly, "Husband, let me see the paintbrush."

After taking the paintbrush, Gu Yueqing examined it for a moment, then gently twirled the brush tip with her fingertips. After a moment, she understood and said, "The brush tip should be made of fox fur. Has my husband noticed anything unusual?"

Fang Muye nodded: "Indeed, this fox fur contains a trace of spirituality, so the fox from which it came must have been extraordinary."

Fox demon.

These two words immediately popped into Gu Yueqing's mind, and she couldn't help but frown slightly. This matter involved spirits and monsters, which changed its nature.

She looked at Xu Wenyuan, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny: "Mr. Xu, you just said that this paintbrush was a gift from a customer. May I ask who this customer is?"

Xu Wenyuan dared not conceal anything and answered in detail: "This customer's surname is Hu, and he is from Yunshan County."

“At the beginning of last month, Mr. Hu’s steward came to Anping City and found my humble abode. He said that Mr. Hu had long admired Mr. Xu’s painting skills and had specially sent him here to invite Mr. Xu to paint in Yunshan County with a generous reward. Mr. Xu agreed because he saw that Mr. Hu was very polite and offered a generous reward.”

"Upon arriving at Mr. Hu's residence, I was warmly received by him. After I finished the painting, he hosted a grand banquet to express his gratitude. During the banquet, Mr. Hu spoke with elegance and broad knowledge, and he had particularly insightful views on the art of calligraphy and painting. We had a very pleasant conversation. He humbly asked me for advice on painting techniques. I was moved by his sincerity and felt that he was an open and honest person, so I taught him everything I knew. He answered all my questions in detail."

"The next day, when Mr. Xu took his leave, Mr. Hu not only paid him the full amount of the fee, but also gave him this paintbrush as a token of his gratitude."

After listening to Xu Wenyuan's account, Fang Muye and Gu Yueqing exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word.

That Mr. Hu is most likely a fox demon who has achieved enlightenment. It's just unknown whether his act of giving away the brush was intentional or unintentional, and what connection it has with the matter of the painting spirit at hand.

Gu Yueqing asked in a deep voice, "Mr. Xu, where in Yunshan County is this Mr. Hu's residence located?"

Yunshan County is under the jurisdiction of Anping Prefecture. A fox demon with considerable power has appeared in the county. As the garrison commander of Anping, Gu Yueqing naturally cannot ignore it and needs to send people to investigate in order to prevent it from causing trouble in the area.

Xu Wenyuan immediately replied, "Mr. Hu's residence is located in the western suburbs of Yunshan County, about two miles from the foot of Yunshan Mountain. There are two tall weeping willows in front of the gate, making it easy to spot."

Gu Yueqing made a mental note of it, then looked back at the painting, and had a similar speculation to Fang Muye.

"This painting spirit was born from obsession and the magic brush, but it left the painting at midnight, leaving behind a hairpin. What is its true intention?"

Gu Yueqing pondered for a moment before asking, "Mr. Xu, where is the hairpin left behind by the woman in the painting?"

Before Xu Wenyuan could answer, Zhao Kuo, who was standing by, immediately picked up a delicate nanmu box from the corner of the desk, opened the lid, and presented it to Gu Yueqing: "General, the hairpin is here. A new one was added last night, and I have put it in this box as well."

Fang Muye's gaze fell on the box, where he saw five hairpins, all of similar style, carved from jade. The heads of the hairpins were all carved into the shape of begonia flowers, but the shape of the petals and the color of the jade were slightly different.

Fu Yuechi leaned over to take a look and casually remarked, "These begonia jade hairpins are quite unique and beautiful, but they all look like old objects from some years ago."

He does not mean that.

Gu Yueqing's heart stirred, and she looked thoughtful. After a moment, she looked up at Xu Wenyuan and asked, "Mr. Xu, do you remember if you ever gave your cousin a begonia hairpin or any other token of love back then, or if there was any related agreement?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenyuan was first taken aback, then his expression changed drastically, and he said in a trembling voice, "General... how did you know? When I returned from the imperial examination, Wan Niang was already critically ill and on her deathbed. I stayed by her bedside, held her hand, and promised that if Heaven took pity on her and she recovered, I would give her the finest jade hairpin when she came of age. But she still passed away in the end, and I was heartbroken and forgot about it. I did have that hairpin made, but I never retrieved it."

The study was silent for a moment, except for Xu Wenyuan's suppressed sobs and the soft rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.

Fu Qingfeng sighed softly and said in a low voice, "So the woman in the painting left the painting at midnight to find the love token that was never given. However, the hairpins she found, although they are also begonia jade hairpins, are not the ones that you ordered back then."

Gu Yueqing nodded, her eyes filled with understanding and complex emotions: "His obsession has not subsided, so he manifested as a spirit to fulfill his unfinished promise. It is a pity."

She turned to Xu Wenyuan and said seriously, "Mr. Xu, is it still possible to find that begonia jade hairpin that you ordered back then?"

Xu Wenyuan shook his head with a bitter expression: "Ten years have passed, and that jewelry shop has long since closed down. The master craftsman from back then has disappeared. I'm afraid... it's impossible to find him again."

Gu Yueqing then asked, "Do you still remember the name of that shop, where it was located, and the master craftsman's name?"

Xu Wenyuan frowned and thought for a long time before saying, "It seems to be called Cuiyuxuan. The shop is located at the entrance of Liuzhi Lane in the west of the city. I can't remember the master craftsman's name, but I remember that his surname is Zhang."

Gu Yueqing nodded slightly and instructed Zhao Kuo beside her, "General Zhao, immediately take men to the Liuzhi Lane area to conduct a thorough investigation, search for Master Zhang of Cuiyuxuan or his family and apprentices, and inquire about the whereabouts of that begonia jade hairpin. Be sure to be careful and do not overlook any clues."

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Kuo clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, pointed to two captains, and quickly turned to leave.

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