Yan Zijin couldn’t recognize the exotic script on the document, but he noticed that the jewelry drawings were identical to those he possessed. When he showed them to Duanwu, she was quite surprised, finally able to see the actual jewelry depicted in the drawings.
Upon arriving in Shaozhou, Yan Zijin learned from his subordinates about a renowned jewelry sculptor in the area—Yu Guan Yin, whose real name was Yue Yunxiu. The items she meticulously crafted were lifelike and exceptionally delicate. After disembarking, Yan Zijin personally paid her a visit. It happened to be the day the Yue family was selecting a son-in-law, attracting a crowd to their gate. Yan Zijin enjoyed the spectacle and used the pretext of proposing marriage to enter the Yue residence.
Still from Episode 12 of The Story of Pearl Girl
Inside the hall, numerous men watched intently as a woman sat serenely in the center, diligently carving a jade piece. This woman was not only extraordinarily beautiful, with skin as smooth as congealed fat and a face resembling a peach blossom, but also possessed remarkable craftsmanship. Despite the numerous distractions, she remained completely focused, unwavering like Mount Tai. Having traveled extensively and met countless people, Yan Zijin’s expression changed when he saw the accessory around the woman’s waist—a string of fish pearls he had personally carved and gifted to his sister during her birthday years ago. Now, years after his sister had disappeared, seeing someone so strikingly similar made Yan Zijin certain that she was his long-lost sister, and he wasn’t about to give up easily.
During the gathering, a man began bidding to purchase the items Yue Yunxiu was holding. Yan Zijin realized this was a competition for betrothal gifts and immediately placed a high bid, willing to exhaust his entire fortune to marry Yue Yunxiu.
Duanwu observed that this talented young woman was extraordinary, yet within two minutes, Yan Zijin was willing to spend his entire wealth to win her hand—something Duanwu found unreasonable, especially since Yan Zijin was known for his meticulous and strategic mind. She wanted to inquire further, but Yan Zijin remained silent, instead urging Duanwu to proceed with the marriage proposal soon.
The next day, Duanwu visited Yue Yunxiu and found that her sole focus was on carving jade pieces. In Yue Yunxiu’s room, Duanwu also saw a flying deity statue—a figure she had previously encountered in the sheepskin scroll. Additionally, Duanwu noticed many completed artworks depicted in the scroll.
Upon returning to report, Duanwu informed Yan Zijin that Yue Yunxiu only favored white jade. Yan Zijin immediately instructed his men to send all the white jade from the ship to Yue Yunxiu. During her subsequent visit to Yue Yunxiu, Duanwu discovered that the goat milk Yue Yunxiu used to soak her hands was problematic. Yue Yunxiu claimed the milk was a gift from her father, but after soaking for several days, she experienced weakness and pain in her hands. Yue Yunxiu refused to continue soaking her hands but was too intimidated by her father’s pressure. Before leaving, Duanwu secretly took some of the soaking water and rushed to a clinic, where the doctor determined the water was poisonous.
Duanwu boldly speculated that Yue Yunxiu’s father feared that if his daughter married, the jade pieces would depreciate in value. To ensure these collectibles remained unique, he devised a malicious plan: if anything happened to Yue Yunxiu, the collectibles would instantly increase in value.
Still from Episode 12 of The Story of Pearl Girl
Zhang Jinran also arrived in Shaozhou and happened to see Duanwu near the Yue family. In their joyful reunion, Zhang Jinran shared the clues he had uncovered at the Yue residence. Duanwu, upon seeing the flying deity statue, began to suspect Yan Zijin’s true identity. From Zhang Jinran’s account, she learned that the Yan family of Yangzhou were the previous owners of He Pu. Originally, the Yan family were renowned treasure merchants in Yangzhou, with their national tribute being the lotus platform flying deity statue. Once presented to the court, they became the top jewelers in the country. However, during a palace banquet, the national treasure suddenly shattered, and palace attendants discovered all the jewels were counterfeit. As the emperor prepared to punish the Yan family and investigate the truth, the entire Yan family was exterminated, and the case was left unresolved.
The clever Duanwu carefully pieced together the entire event and suddenly realized that Yan Zijin’s true identity must be that of the Yan family! Therefore, his willingness to spend his fortune to marry the young woman must mean she is his biological sister.
