"What?"
Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, Ye Ruodao was greatly astonished and asked, "Mr. Shen, are you sure? Is this black Ruyi truly the legendary Blood Ruyi?"
The Blood Ruyi was a favored possession of Empress Wu Zetian during her lifetime, carved and inlaid with countless blood stones. Legend had it that it had long been buried with her in the Zhaoling imperial tomb, not an item of this world. Ye Ruodao could never believe that this dark Ruyi was the Blood Ruyi.
"That's right, Shen Lang, don't just fool my dad because he's happy."
Ye Shishi, hearing this, was equally incredulous and said.
"I might joke about other things, but I wouldn't joke about something like this."
Shen Lang weighed the jade Ruyi in his hand and said, "What I said is correct, this black jade Ruyi is indeed the legendary Blood Ruyi."
"No, no, Mr. Shen, you're mistaken."
After the appraisal just now, Ye Ruodao's attitude and address towards Shen Lang had changed, but upon hearing Shen Lang's words, he still shook his head and said, "This jade Ruyi was passed down from my ancestors. I once thought it was some rare treasure, but when I had it appraised, I found that its material wasn't even jade. In today's terms, its material is resin."
"However, this is understandable. If it were real jade, how could it have become so black? If it weren't passed down from my ancestors, I would have thrown it in the trash long ago."
"Impossible, it can't be the Blood Ruyi. Legend says the Blood Ruyi glows with a dazzling red light, making it as bright as day when placed by the bedside. This black Ruyi bears no resemblance to it at all."
Ye Shishi agreed with Ye Ruodao's words and then said to Shen Lang, "Did you make a mistake?"
"Nonsense, how could I make a mistake?"
Shen Lang rolled his eyes at Ye Shishi and said, "If you don't believe this is the Blood Ruyi, then I'll prove it to you."
With that, Shen Lang raised his hand and slammed the black jade Ruyi to the ground. The Ruyi shattered with a sound.
"Mr. Shen, what are you doing?"
Although the black jade Ruyi wasn't valuable, it was an antique passed down from an ancestor. Being smashed by Shen Lang, Ye Ruodao's eyes widened in dissatisfaction.
However, what happened next not only made Ye Ruodao's eyes widen but also left Ye Shishi in disbelief.
As the black jade Ruyi hit the ground, it instantly shattered. But from the cracks, a dazzling red light emanated.
Ye Shishi and Ye Ruodao watched as the black jade Ruyi seemed to shed its skin, peeling off its dark outer layer. Then, a Blood Ruyi, carved and inlaid with blood stones and emitting a radiant red light, appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Blood Ruyi, is this the Blood Ruyi?"
Looking at the dazzling red Blood Ruyi on the ground, Ye Ruodao exclaimed excitedly, "The Empress of All Ages' beloved treasure from legend, I never thought it would exist in this world, let alone in my home."
"My family has considered this a fake jade Ruyi for generations. I never imagined it was hiding its true form, and only today have I discovered its original appearance."
As Ye Ruodao spoke, he bent down and carefully picked up the Blood Ruyi from the ground with both hands, filled with immense excitement.
"Shen Lang, what's going on?"
Ye Shishi couldn't comprehend how a black, fake jade Ruyi, after being smashed by Shen Lang, had shed a layer and transformed into the priceless Blood Ruyi. She stared intently at Shen Lang, hoping for an answer.
"It's simple. Your ancestor knew that the Blood Ruyi was a treasure of immense value. As the saying goes, 'A man's wealth is his own ruin.' For the safety of the Blood Ruyi and his family, he found skilled artisans to inlay a layer of fake jade onto the surface of the Blood Ruyi to deceive others."
"Think about it, if even you, his descendants, didn't know it was the Blood Ruyi, how could anyone else? This is also why it has been able to remain in your family for so long."
"So that's how it is..."
Upon hearing Shen Lang's explanation, Ye Ruodao, who had stood up, looked at him with great admiration and said, "Mr. Shen is truly a master. He could see through it at a glance. I am ashamed of my own inadequacy."
"You flatter me, Mr. Ye. It's nothing worth mentioning."
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this.
"Haha, neither arrogant nor complacent. Mr. Shen, though young, is still detached. I like your character."
Ye Ruodao looked at Shen Lang with satisfaction and then said to Ye Shishi, "Shishi, is this the boyfriend you've found? I approve. You can date freely from now on."
"Ah..."
Ye Shishi was stunned by her father's words. She had never expected her father to say something like this.
You see, Ye Ruodao was a traditional scholar. When it came to academic work and papers, he was never complain, but he was dissatisfied with everything in life, especially with people, whom he was terrifyingly picky about.
Over the years, Ye Shishi had met many classmates, but every time she brought them home, Ye Ruodao, with just a glance, could criticize them to no end, finding fault with them.
Ye Shishi never imagined that after knowing Shen Lang for less than an hour, Ye Ruodao would be so pleased with him. Was this still the same rigid old scholar?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ye Ruodao, perplexed by Ye Shishi's shocked gaze, said, "The reason I objected to you associating with your male classmates before was simply because they were all extraordinarily mediocre and utterly unworthy of you. They weren't even qualified to be your friends, let alone your boyfriend."
"Smart people only become smarter by befriending other smart people. Hanging out with fools will only make you a fool."
"Mr. Shen, though young, possesses an intellect and a demeanor that are the strongest among the young people I've ever met. He's not just a little better than the young masters of the capital like Qi Tuojiang. If you date him, I will definitely support it."
Speaking of which, Ye Ruodao looked at Shen Lang and said with a smile, "Mr. Shen, oh no, that sounds too formal. Let me call you Xiao Shen. I was blind earlier and spoke disrespectfully. Please don't hold it against this old man."
"From now on, you are a distinguished guest in our home. Please visit often and chat with me, this old man. I believe we have many common topics. Don't you agree?"
"Alright, Uncle, I will definitely visit more often."
Shen Lang nodded and said.
As Shen Lang finished speaking, a woman entered through the door. She was around fifty years old but exceptionally well-maintained, looking like she was in her early thirties.
The person who entered was none other than Ye Shishi's mother, Chu Yingqiu.
Seeing his wife enter, Ye Ruodao became very excited and said, "Wife, you've come at the perfect time. Let me introduce you. This is Shen Lang, Shishi's boyfriend."
"What?"
Chu Yingqiu, upon hearing her husband's words, was astonished as she entered.
However, when she saw Shen Lang's face, she looked utterly incredulous and exclaimed, "Shen Tianjun, why are you at my house?"