Chapter Seventy-One: The Key

Although Liu Ling’er recognized the characters on the talisman as “Water-Stopping Talisman,” she wasn’t sure how effective it actually was. Anyone seeing these talismans pasted there would be curious—do they really work? As a woman, her curiosity was only stronger. After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Ling’er couldn’t resist and reached out to peel one of the talismans from the well wall.

She turned the talisman over in her hand, feeling its texture—it was made of fine silk, the quality exquisite. Just as she was about to tuck it into her robe to study it further later, she heard a drip; a bead of water fell with a plop from the well wall, landing squarely on the tip of her nose. Liu Ling’er started in surprise. Could the talisman really stop water? She looked up, her gaze sharpening, and saw tiny beads of water already seeping from the well wall, gathering and growing larger until they began to fall like rain.

Goodness, it actually works! She had assumed the Water-Stopping Talisman was merely decorative, never expecting it to be real. Startled, Liu Ling’er quickly took the talisman from her robe and slapped it back onto its original spot.

Instantly, the seeping water seemed to vanish, as if absorbed by a sponge, leaving no trace behind. Eyes wide with disbelief, Liu Ling’er rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things—the effect was truly immediate.

After such a shock, Liu Ling’er dared not meddle with the well wall any further. Instead, she paced around the bottom of the well, examining it carefully.

The well bottom wasn’t very large. After circling it once, Liu Ling’er noticed something odd: while most areas had some moss, one spot was completely bare, standing in stark contrast to its surroundings.

Stepping closer, Liu Ling’er found some tiny characters carved into the well wall: “If you are a descendant, bow your head in respect. May good fortune be with you!”

She wondered what Ma Ling’er had been thinking. Wasn’t there supposed to be a mural inside the dry well? Why hadn’t she seen any sign of it so far?

She couldn’t return empty-handed after coming all this way! Obediently, Liu Ling’er knelt and respectfully knocked her head against the ground several times. With a clunk, stones from the well wall tumbled away, revealing a small hole and an inscription: “To open this door, use the dragon-shaped key.”

Suddenly, Liu Ling’er recalled the letter Ma Ling’er had left her: “There is a dry well in the palace. Once you descend, you’ll find a mural; press both hands on the eyes of the figure in the mural, and a hidden passage will appear. With your phoenix jade pendant and my jade dragon hairpin, you will receive my legacy.”

She hadn’t seen a mural here, but perhaps the dragon-shaped key referred to the jade dragon hairpin—the key to opening this place. Thankfully, she’d brought Ma Ling’er’s hairpin; otherwise, today’s trip would have been in vain.

She inserted the jade dragon hairpin into the hole. A series of clicks sounded, and the well wall before her parted in the middle like a door. Liu Ling’er had expected a hidden passage, but to her surprise, what lay beyond was a mural—a beautiful woman depicted on the wall.

It seemed Ma Ling’er’s memory had faded over the years. Understandable, considering she was ninety-nine; a little confusion was to be expected.

Murmuring an apology, Liu Ling’er reached out and pressed both hands firmly on the painted woman’s eyes, pushing down hard. Yet the wall before her didn’t budge an inch. Cold sweat broke out on Liu Ling’er’s forehead—what was going on? Had she made a mistake?

Suddenly, the sound of grinding stone came from behind her. Liu Ling’er turned and let out a sigh of relief: as it turned out, pressing the painted figure’s eyes revealed a hidden passage behind her.

As the secret passage opened, a blue glow spilled out, instantly illuminating the dark well bottom. Liu Ling’er stepped inside, and at first glance, her mouth nearly watered.

Both walls of the passage were studded with blue luminous pearls. Heavens! Such extravagance—using night pearls like light bulbs! It was outrageously wasteful. If they were sold, how much would they fetch?

Liu Ling’er silently made a note to herself to return another day—it would be a disservice to the Party and the country if she didn’t!

She walked along the passage for about fifty meters before arriving at a secret chamber. The room was hung with portraits, and Liu Ling’er examined them one by one. Every person depicted was strikingly attractive, and all bore a certain resemblance to one another.

As for whom they resembled, Liu Ling’er immediately thought of Bai Li Xian. On closer inspection, he did indeed look quite similar. If she was right, these were likely the emperors of generations past.

Finally, Liu Ling’er’s gaze settled on two central portraits. These were especially unique—really, they formed a single painting depicting a man and a woman. The man was handsome, the woman beautiful, a pair of immortals made for each other.

When Liu Ling’er looked at the woman, she suddenly felt as if the figure were smiling directly at her. She shook her head in disbelief. Good heavens! If not for the ancient style, she’d have thought she was looking at the Mona Lisa herself.