Her Entire Court Reborn with Her in the Modern World

Chapter 162: Chapter 161: The Mastermind, Base Stealing in Progress

The name sounded somewhat familiar, but Young Master Pei had already forgotten it; very few people were worthy of being etched into his memory.

He didn’t pay it much mind, continuing to wait for his friend to get in touch with the Linsu archaeology team.

After a while, someone finally came out to receive him. "Mr. Pei, this way, please."

Pei Xuan flicked the dust off his sleeves and strolled inside at a leisurely pace, under the envious and resentful gazes of the crowd.

In the corner, Gu Qingjin leaned against a pillar, listening to the archaeologists’ conversation.

"Gu Lan?" A voice sounded behind him, carrying a hint of surprise and displeasure. "Why are you here? You don’t seem to... be involved in any history-related profession, are you?"

Gu Qingjin calmly raised his eyes. "Where I am has nothing to do with you, Bai Xiaoran."

Bai Xiaoran was an expert in Xuan History. At forty-eight years old, he was a highly respected figure in the field of history.

The four major families of Mingjing were Ye, Bai, Gu, and Jin, which also represented their ranking in power.

However, the Gu family had been in the limelight in recent years, faintly showing a trend of surpassing the Bai family.

"I heard you even went to Meizhou Jin’an and funded the establishment of a Meiqu Opera Museum for them," Bai Xiaoran said, seemingly oblivious to the cold aura emanating from Gu Qingjin. "I didn’t expect Mr. Lan to be so generous. I must say, I am quite impressed."

Gu Qingjin ignored him.

"Mr. Bai, you’re here!" the archaeology team leader exclaimed in pleasant surprise upon seeing Bai Xiaoran. "Thank you for rushing over so quickly."

Bai Xiaoran nodded. "It was no trouble. Since it concerns history, naturally, I had to come at the first moment."

The old professor, who had hurried over from Jianghuai High School, was evidently an old acquaintance of his. He asked for his opinion, "Xiao Ran, what are your thoughts on this?"

"’Return to the Beginning’ and ’turning into dust’ actually have no meaningful difference. Since he was forcibly taken away by Empress Taichu, he must have lost his independent personality," Bai Xiaoran said. "At the brink of death, none of this matters."

Gu Qingjin calmly raised his eyes. "If there is no difference, why were those three words altered? Doesn’t this prove that your historical research is heading in the wrong direction?"

"Of course not. How can three words prove that Music Immortal Xie Qingshi felt gratitude toward Empress Taichu instead of resentment?" Bai Xiaoran said noncommittally. "Mr. Lan, history is not a child’s game."

"Why couldn’t they?" Another voice chimed in, carrying an innate arrogance. "If there’s no difference, there would be no need to change it. Changing it only shows a guilty conscience, doesn’t it?"

Bai Xiaoran turned around.

"I am a layman. I wonder if this expert could explain who changed those three words, and why they were changed?" Pei Xuan stared straight into his eyes. "Are they afraid of something?"

In an instant, Gu Qingjin’s gaze landed on Pei Xuan.

This stare made Pei Xuan’s back tense up; he felt as if he were being targeted by a wolf.

Pei Xuan calmly surveyed his surroundings but didn’t notice anything unusual.

He wondered why it felt so strange.

"Afraid?" Bai Xiaoran frowned, his voice turning cold. "If you don’t understand history, don’t make reckless comments!"

"Oh? I’m merely raising my doubts. Why are you getting so worked up?" Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow. "As an expert, shouldn’t you explain it clearly? He thought of ’Return to the Beginning’ right before his death. From this, it’s evident that Taichu meant a great deal to him."

"This still doesn’t prove that Empress Taichu wasn’t a tyrant. On the contrary, it proves it even more." Bai Xiaoran sneered. "She saw that Xie Qingshi was beautiful, so she allowed him to serve as a court official. Through sheer blind luck, she made him Minister of the Ministry of Rites, putting him in charge of a dynasty’s rites and music. Xie Qingshi thought he had found salvation, but in reality, that was not the case at all."

The old professor thoroughly agreed. "That’s right. What Xiao Ran said makes sense."

Pei Xuan suppressed the rising anger in his heart.

"What a bunch of pedantic experts!" he thought.

"Everyone, everyone, a major discovery! It’s not just the musical scores!" An archaeologist climbed up from the secret room, beyond thrilled. "We also found other manuscripts belonging to Xie Qingshi! They are records of his daily life. This is truly a monumental discovery!"

Bai Xiaoran’s voice abruptly cut off. His frown deepened, not showing the slightest bit of joy. "Manuscripts?"

Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow, took out his phone, and typed out a message.

[Pei Xuan]: I couldn’t tell. You actually have the habit of writing a diary?

[Xie Qingshi]: Are you asking me this because you don’t have this habit, resulting in many historical facts being buried?

[Pei Xuan]: What a joke. I’m a proper person, why would I write a diary? I just say whatever is on my mind. However, if you can clear her name, I’ll owe you a favor.

Pei Xuan put his phone away and asked, "Then can these manuscripts be sorted out by tomorrow?"

"I’m afraid not." The archaeologist shook his head. "We have to carry out protective work first, but we will make them public as soon as possible."

Pei Xuan’s expression remained calm.

He had been able to wait for several years, let alone a few days.

He would wait.

Meanwhile, in Jianghuai, at Half Cup of Clear Dream.

Xu Shuangqiao was a heavy drinker. Upon hearing that a new bartender would be arriving tonight, she had rushed over immediately.

She was a regular customer and had her own exclusive seat.

Xu Shuangqiao scrolled through the news while drinking.

Before long, she felt her head spinning, and the images before her eyes began to double.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded above her head. "Miss, how does it taste? Is there anything you’re unsatisfied with?"

Xu Shuangqiao widened her eyes, her speech slurring. "Beauty... What a great beauty."

Qian Qiu smiled sweetly. "Miss, you’re drunk."

"I-I’m not drunk... I have a high tolerance for alcohol!" The flush on Xu Shuangqiao’s face deepened. She reached out, flailing her hands wildly. "Come... Come with me! I’ll let you be my female lead!"

Qian Qiu was somewhat surprised. "Miss, are you a director?"

But Xu Shuangqiao didn’t respond anymore. Her head hit the table, and she fell fast asleep.

"She really is drunk. Miss Qiu, don’t pay any mind to a drunkard’s words," a waiter muttered. "She mixed liquor and beer. No wonder she got dizzy so quickly."

Qian Qiu returned to the bar counter and continued mixing drinks. "Help her make a phone call and ask her family to come pick her up."

The waiter nodded and opened her phone’s emergency contacts.

The number labeled "Father" didn’t go through, so he had to tap on the one labeled "Cousin."

This time, the call connected quickly.

"Hello," the waiter said. "Are you a relative of this phone’s owner? She’s drunk, so please come and pick her up. The address is Half Cup of Clear Dream. Alright, we’ll wait for you here."

Qian Qiu then had the waiter fetch a blanket to drape over Xu Shuangqiao. Stretching lazily, she said, "I still prefer bartending. I’ll come back tomorrow."

"Then thank you so much, Miss Qiu," the waiter replied with a smile. "With you here, who knows how many times the boss’s revenue will multiply!"

Fifteen minutes later, a DING DONG sounded as someone walked through the door.

"Welcome." Qian Qiu looked up and froze for half a second before quickly putting on a smile. "Little sister, we don’t allow high schoolers in here. Hurry back, and come again when you’ve graduated."

Shi Changying pointed at Xu Shuangqiao and said, "I’m her cousin. I’m here to pick her up."