Prefect He, disregarding his wife's subtle attempts to dissuade him, pondered for mere seconds before laying it all out: "My assets, aside from ten million yuan in deposits listed under relatives' names, include some properties, as well as antique collectibles, calligraphy, and paintings. Their value is difficult to precisely quantify, but the total is likely between thirty and fifty million yuan."
My brow furrowed. Was that all? It seemed rather modest for an official of his standing, contrary to my initial impression.
Prefect He, perhaps sensing my doubt, added, "At most, at most sixty million. It absolutely will not exceed that."
"Then you truly are an incorruptible official," I couldn't help but chuckle. I feigned a moment of calculation and nodded. "More or less. However, your collection might very well exceed your valuation. The market for antiques and collectibles has been booming lately. If you were to cash out at the peak, now would be an excellent opportunity. Moreover, these items in your possession are bound to become a source of trouble sooner or later."
As I spoke the latter half of my sentence, I closed my eyes, my tone deepening, as if divining the future. Prefect He, taking it as gospel, hurriedly asked, "I implore Celestial Venerable for guidance! If I cannot advance further, and should… a great calamity befall me, I pray you can ensure my safe landing!"
"Yes, yes, indeed," Madam He chimed in, "There have been many rumors circulating about my husband's precarious situation lately. If Celestial Venerable can help my husband through this crisis, our family is willing to pay any sum!"
I opened my eyes and waved my hand. "Discussing money? How vulgar, how vulgar..."
"Woman, do not interrupt. I am discussing serious matters with the Celestial Venerables!" Prefect He guiltily "scolded" his wife.
Yaoyao leaned forward, gazing intently at Prefect He's crown for a moment before whispering, "To be honest, judging by your fortune, you are indeed facing a tribulation soon. The problem will stem from your… your… never mind, I shouldn't say."
Yaoyao trailed off, then cast an ambiguous glance at Madam He before falling silent.
Madam He was utterly bewildered, not grasping the implication. I, however, understood perfectly, and believed Yaoyao wasn't speaking idly. She likely saw something through her qi-reading skills. I then turned to Madam He and asked, "Madam, did you order the dishes?"
"I did," Madam He replied. Prefect He, accustomed to being served, would not typically order food. Given the importance of this occasion, they likely wouldn't have used a secretary for such a task; this was a woman's domain, especially for those of wealth.
"Some of us have dietary restrictions. Would Madam be so kind as to accompany me to the kitchen to inspect the dishes?" I suggested, rising from my seat.
"...Oh, alright." Madam He stood, picking up her bag, perhaps assuming I intended to order more food.
Prefect He asked his daughter to join us as well. Some matters were not for Madam He to hear, and certainly not for his daughter.
Upon reaching the kitchen on the first floor, I pretended to rearrange a few dishes. Estimating that Yaoyao and Prefect He had concluded their discussion, the three of us returned upstairs.
The conversation was clearly over. Prefect He was drenched in sweat, his white shirt visibly soaked halfway up his back.
I resumed my seat and asked with a smile, "Second Sister, have you enlightened Prefect He?"
"I have," Yaoyao replied. "But it requires our personal intervention. Moreover, there was an unexpected bonus."
"What bonus?" I inquired.
Yaoyao leaned in and whispered to me, "His mistress turns out to be from the Cangjing Group, a person from Sakura Country."
My eyes widened. "What a coincidence!"
Yaoyao nodded. "After dinner, we'll handle this ourselves."
"If that matter can be resolved," Prefect He immediately declared, "I am willing to offer half my fortune to honor the three Celestial Venerables!"
"We'll forgo the fortune," I waved my hand. "It's just that we have a particular fondness for antiques and collectibles. If Prefect He would be willing to part with some..."
"The entire collection for the three Celestial Venerables!" Prefect He, uncharacteristically generous, gestured grandly, ready to give away more than half his wealth. Madam He couldn't even begin to object.
"Haha, that's not necessary," I laughed. "We only need you to allow us to visit your residence and view your collection. We'll select one or two pieces as mementos."
Madam He finally breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but say, "That would be wonderful, of course."
The servers and secretaries began serving the dishes. During the meal, we shifted away from "official business," chatting casually about He Zihan's studies and Prefect He's work. Upon learning he oversaw the land planning and approval department, I immediately thought of the Jiuxian Cave development. I could have him connect with Chen Jianguo later, which might benefit both parties.
This was indeed a high-end, specially catered restaurant discreetly located within the bustling city, and the food was excellent, comparable only to the cuisine at the Cuiping Mountain Villa.
The only minor disappointment was that Prefect He had prepared a bottle of thirty-year-old Maotai. However, I didn't find the wine particularly palatable and only had a small taste. Yaoyao and Lao Ba had both drunk too much the previous night and their stomachs hadn't recovered, so they also refrained from drinking, leaving tens of thousands of yuan's worth of wine to go to waste.