Stolen Jade, Hidden Name

She knew the man too.

The man who just turned around was Ye Dequan—Ye Mo's eldest son. From what she knew, Ye Dequan was Khan Bojing's most trusted right hand man.

... That was all she knew.

Her eyes were only focused on Hua Xifeng, knowing everything about him but in contrast, she only knew the basic information of Khan Bojing. Of course, because they were married and had to live together, she picked up details here and there but she never paused to think it through. The realization that Li Wei barely knew her husband was like an arrow to her heart.

She was deep in her own thoughts while in this moment, the two men in the middle of the room stared at each other's in silence. Ye Mo continued looking at his son. Where was that stubborn and careless prince? That boy was going to receive an earful when he returned.

"Father," Ye Dequan spoke softly, as if scared his still father would burst out in anger.

When his father didn't acknowledge his word, Ye Dequan slowly walked the distance between them and took the lantern from his father's hand into his own. "Let's head out."

At this suggestion, Ye Mo sighed and finally nodded.

Some time later, Li Wei walked out from the prince's courtyard. Her mind was filled with endless thoughts while her body moved like an empty shell.

. . .

Upon the earliest moment of dawn, Li Wei walked towards Hui's office. It was a small room filled with hundreds of scrolls. In the middle of the room, there was a table and one chair placed on each side. The only window was big and opened out to a scenery of the mountains in the distance.

"Hui, may I come in?" Li Wei asked as she stopped right in front of the doorway. She was respectful of his personal space and would never enter without permission.

Hui looked up from the scroll he was currently reading and placed onto the table his cup of tea. "Of course. Is everything all right?"

Li Wei settled on the chair across from Hui as she reached into her waist sash and pulled out a very familiar piece of jade. That annoying woodcutter, did he think she paid one gold tael just for a pile of woods? When she dipped her hand into his bag, she also sneakily stole the jade dangling from his waist. Her fingers were quick and fast so he didn't notice. Also, who told him not to pay attention. This serves him right for playing with her!

Hui took the jade into his hand and it barely took a glance for him to identify the piece immediately. For an experienced trader like Hui who had traveled far and wide, there were not many items he didn't know of. Not to mention, the talented Li Fahrin was his master. Despite his knowledge of the item, he was hesitant to speak. It was not a good idea to involve with those people.

From the sparks in his eyes, Li Wei knew that Hui recognized the piece of jade. When she first saw it, she thought it was an average jade that could be bought on the streets. She wanted it because it looked similar to something Khan Bojing once gave her during their wedding. Now she thought differently of the seemingly normal item.

When Hui finally spoke, he only asked, "Where did you get this?"

His question answered her question. This caused her heart to lurch forward-- her suspicions were correct. She answered honestly, "It's not mine, but I really want to know of its background. Have you heard or know of it before?"

"This type of jade is rare. On the outside, it looks just like any jade sold on the market. In all these years, I have heard of but have never seen this item in real life. Young miss, I recommend you return it to whomever you took it from."

Hui was refusing to tell more, but Li Wei was determined. She needed to find out today, before it's too late. Thus, she asked directly, "Does it have anything to do with the royal family?"

As soon as she spoke her words, his body became visibly still. "Li Wei, I've watched you grow from a child into a beautiful young lady. You still have many years ahead of you, I don't want you to get involved with those type of people. I'm sincerely concerned for you."

Li Wei smiled at Hui's words. It was truly heart warming to hear those words from another person. All her life, Hui has been kind and caring. He had become a part of her little family. "I know. Uncle Hui, I understand. I'm still young and have many years yet to lived. But if I lose this man, I don't know if there will still be light in my world. It's going to be complicated, but it's going to be worth it. At the least, I have to fight so I don't regret."

With a long sigh, he nodded in understanding. He had once loved someone too, and now lived with his heart full of regrets. The young miss was a bit crazy and ridiculous in who she was chasing, but she was brave. This realization shifted his decision. He decided to tell her, after all, he even helped her sneak into the palace last night. In comparison, this is nothing to their stunt last night.

"On many of my travels, I've heard of different rumors on this jade. One of my close friend in the north once said that this type-- pure white imperial jade, barely translucent, is almost nonexistent. It's the most valuable of its kind and there are few who own it. Although this item here looks unpolished, it's in fact been carved by a talented craftsman. The piece had been cut carefully into two and place together again."

"In Hai'an, especially small villages here, it's tradition for children to have identity jades. I assume this is someone's identity stone. However, I am unclear of why a commoner would possess such priceless jade. If I have to guess, I would say that this piece of jade belongs to someone from the royal family, most likely a prince or princess who is not yet married."

Her breaths stopped midair and her heart seemed to have dissipated completely. It was too much to take in, but also not enough. She needed to know more, to find out more. Her voice almost came out as a whisper as she asked a final question, "How does one mark their name on an identity jade?"

Her eyes shone with hope and she moved closer towards him, as if scared she wouldn't hear his voice. Hui smiled, this was a question he knew the answer to. "Normal identity stones own by commoners usually have names carved directly on. Noble families often buy expensive precious stones and jades with work done by extremely talented craftsmen. In this case, all you have to do is point this jade directly against the sun. Only with the bright sunlight will you be able to see the name carved on the inside.

"Thank you so much, Hui! You're the best!" Li Wei stood up and ran out as soon as Hui finished speaking. She immediately rushed into the garden behind the house and held the piece of jade against her chest. Despite her excitement, she had to stop herself.

Was she ready to find this out? What if she was wrong? What if things have changed?

With deep breaths, she slowly raised the piece of jade against the sun. Exactly as Hui had told her, letters now became visible.

Her lips curved up and her eyes twinkled as she her gaze fell upon the name carved inside the jade.