{"id":3504,"date":"2026-05-22T20:52:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-17\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:52:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:52:20","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-17","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit Of Jade 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

Xie Zheng\u2019s face darkened as he threw on his outer robe and grabbed his crutch. The moment he stepped outside, he saw Fan Changyu climbing down from the attic stairs with an oil lamp in one hand and a thoroughly bedraggled gyrfalcon in the other.

Seeing him, she looked slightly surprised.

\u201cOh, did I wake you?\u201d

The moment the hawk spotted its owner, it immediately let out a pitiful cry again. Only this time it did not dare scream hysterically. Its voice was weak and miserable like a chick\u2019s, the feathers atop its head sticking up in disarray, no longer sleek and glossy as before.

After a brief silence, Xie Zheng asked slowly,

\u201cThis is\u2026\u201d

Fan Changyu shook the hawk she held by the legs and grinned broadly.

\u201cI saw this gyrfalcon flying around nearby several times already. Since I happened to buy an old hen today, I figured I\u2019d try setting a trap. Didn\u2019t expect I\u2019d actually catch it!\u201d

Ordinary hawks could at most snatch little chicks away, but this gyrfalcon was enormous. Its wingspan stretched nearly a meter wide, and its strength was astonishing. While struggling on the rooftop it had even smashed a large hole into the roof tiles. Had Fan Changyu not rushed up in time after hearing the noise, it might truly have broken free.

Only after receiving several slaps from her had it finally behaved.

She said cheerfully, \u201cTomorrow I\u2019ll take it to the market and see how many taels I can sell it for.\u201d

The hawk continued staring at its master pitifully with its little bean-like eyes.

Xie Zheng could hardly bear to look at the stupid bird. Keeping a cold expression, he lied without blinking:

\u201cNobody in the market buys living birds of prey. Their meat is tough and sour if killed for food, ordinary families can\u2019t afford to raise them, and unless trained by a falconer, wild hawks remain savage and easily injure people.\u201d

\u201cOh\u2026\u201d

Fan Changyu\u2019s excitement instantly deflated.

She scratched her head.

\u201cBut this one injured its leg in the trap, and it hurt its wings struggling against the rafters too. If I release it back into the wild now, it probably won\u2019t survive the winter.\u201d

Right on cue, the gyrfalcon let out another weak and pathetic cry.

Xie Zheng: \u201c\u2026\u201d

\u201cI know a little about falconry,\u201d he finally said. \u201cI could try training it. A properly trained hawk can sell for dozens, even over a hundred taels.\u201d

\u201cHuh?\u201d

Fan Changyu looked shocked.

But once she heard the hawk might eventually be worth dozens\u2014or even over a hundred\u2014taels, she brightened immediately. Suddenly even repairing tomorrow\u2019s damaged roof no longer seemed like a big problem.

\u201cThen we\u2019ll keep it here for now!\u201d

She promptly dug out a chicken cage and stuffed the gyrfalcon inside before bringing over medicine and bandages.

The hawk shrank miserably into the corner of the cage while Fan Changyu grabbed one leg to apply medicine and wrap bandages around it. Terror filled its little eyes, yet it did not dare struggle at all.

Watching the bird\u2019s foot become wrapped into something resembling a rice dumpling, Xie Zheng\u2019s eyelids twitched twice.

After finishing, Fan Changyu squatted beside the cage and gazed at the hawk with unmistakable affection\u2014the kind reserved for over a hundred taels of silver.

\u201cTomorrow morning after I slaughter the pigs, I\u2019ll give you some fresh offal.\u201d

The pork had to be sold, but the offal could be used however she pleased.

The pig slaughtered today already had all its innards turned into braised delicacies.

Before returning to her room, Fan Changyu paused thoughtfully.

The main hall was too cold. She and Changning slept on a heated kang bed and did not need charcoal braziers, but fearing Yan Zheng\u2019s injuries and weak health could not handle the cold, she had specifically placed a brazier in his room.

And this hawk was worth over a hundred taels.

It absolutely could not freeze to death.

Thus she immediately changed direction, carried the chicken cage to Xie Zheng\u2019s room, and knocked.

Without caring about the expression on the man\u2019s face, she set the cage in a corner.

\u201cIt\u2019s too cold at night. Don\u2019t let this gyrfalcon freeze. I\u2019ll keep it in your room for now.\u201d

Xie Zheng swept a gloomy glance toward the hawk.

\u201c\u2026Fine.\u201d

Once the door shut, the hawk\u2019s tiny bean eyes met its master\u2019s long, sinister phoenix eyes.

Dragging its injured leg and drooping its half-molted wings, it trembled miserably.

\u2014

The next morning, Fan Changyu truly slaughtered a pig and brought half a chopped pig lung to feed the hawk.

Today seemed especially cold.

Snow nearly buried the threshold itself. The moment the door opened, icy air blasted inward hard enough to make one shiver. Looking outside, rows of icicles hung beneath the eaves.

Fan Changyu\u2019s hands were red from the cold. After placing the bowl of pig lung into the cage, she rubbed her hands together and said to the man sitting by the bed:

\u201cToday\u2019s Major Cold. Freezing outside. Wear more layers once you get up. I made mao xue wang\u2014it\u2019ll warm you up.\u201d

Xie Zheng nodded, though in truth he had no thick winter clothes left to wear.

Not long after, Fan Changyu returned carrying one of her father\u2019s padded winter coats.

Once Xie Zheng put it on, his figure became somewhat bulky, though thankfully his height kept him looking handsome regardless.

And the coat truly was warm. No matter how the cold wind blew, his body remained heated.

However, together with the coat came a dark blue ribbon.

Xie Zheng recognized it immediately.

Last time, Fan Changyu had angrily tied it into her own hair.

His brows furrowed slightly.

\u2014

When Fan Changyu emerged from the kitchen carrying a large steaming bowl, she saw he had already washed up and gotten dressed.

\u201cUp already? Perfect timing. Come eat.\u201d

The soup bowl in her hands gleamed bright red on the surface, carrying an aggressively spicy fragrance throughout the room.

She noticed he had not used the ribbon she brought, but said nothing.

She only remembered how particular he was about cleanliness. Winter bathing was inconvenient, yet he still wiped himself down with hot water every few days. He washed his hair ribbons frequently too, sometimes drying them beside the firepit.

That was why she had bought another ribbon for him to alternate with.

She was not that petty.

The bowl was too full and scalding hot fresh off the stove. After setting it down, she immediately grabbed her burning fingers and pinched her earlobes.

\u201cAhh, so hot!\u201d

Little Changning hurried over.

\u201cNingniang blow on it! Then it won\u2019t hurt!\u201d

Trying not to laugh, Fan Changyu held out her fingers obediently. Changning puffed up her cheeks and blew several serious breaths before finally stopping.

When Fan Changyu looked up again, she found Xie Zheng staring at her with a strange expression.

She wiped her face reflexively, thinking perhaps she had soot on it somewhere.

\u201cSomething on my face?\u201d

He withdrew his gaze.

\u201cNo.\u201d

Fan Changyu eyed him suspiciously before handing him chopsticks.

\u201cTry the blood curd! It\u2019s best freshly cooked right in the pot, but there wasn\u2019t time today.\u201d

The top of the bowl was covered in Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies splashed with hot oil. Beneath lay chunks of pig blood, braised intestines, tripe, and lung from last night\u2019s leftovers.

It was only missing a layer of crisp bean sprouts at the bottom.

Fan Changyu scooped a piece of pig blood into Changning\u2019s bowl. The little girl hissed from the spice, yet after swallowing one piece still stared longingly at the bowl.

\u201cMore!\u201d

Fan Changyu laughed and gave her two more pieces.

This was Xie Zheng\u2019s first time seeing such a chaotic stew-like dish.

And the soup clearly was not meant to be drunk.

More importantly\u2014

the Fan family had no habit of using serving chopsticks.

Separate stir-fried dishes were manageable enough; everyone could eat from their own side.

But a communal stew?

There was practically nowhere untouched.

While he hesitated, the two sisters had already nearly finished half their rice.

Seeing him only eating plain rice, Fan Changyu looked puzzled.

\u201cYou can\u2019t eat spicy food?\u201d

\u201c\u2026Not exactly.\u201d

In the end, he abandoned that lingering obsession with dining cleanliness and reluctantly picked up a dark-red cube of pig blood.

The first sensation upon tasting it was numbing heat.

Then rich fragrance.

The blood curd barely required chewing. It melted the moment he pressed lightly with his tongue.

Unexpectedly delicious.

One after another he sampled the braised offal within. The combination of braising spices and spicy broth blended perfectly, making it impossible to slow down his chopsticks.

By the end of the meal, Xie Zheng had almost forgotten he once had food-related cleanliness issues.

And just as Fan Changyu promised, warmth spread rapidly through his body from the spice until he no longer felt the bitter cold outdoors at all.

He asked, \u201cIs this a local dish?\u201d

\u201cSort of,\u201d Fan Changyu replied. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the signature dishes at Yixiang Tower. The lady owner there knows all kinds of recipes!\u201d

For a fleeting moment, Xie Zheng considered introducing the dish into military camps.

Then immediately dismissed the idea.

Army meals only needed to fill stomachs. They could never afford something this refined\u2014not to mention the expense of spices like chili and Sichuan pepper.

After clearing the dishes, Fan Changyu carried the gyrfalcon\u2019s cage beside the firepit before preparing to leave.

Before heading out, she reminded him:

\u201cThere\u2019s still half a pig lung in the kitchen. Chop it up later and feed the hawk again.\u201d

Scratching her head awkwardly, she added,

\u201cAnd if you\u2019ve got spare time\u2026 maybe try training it?\u201d

Xie Zheng\u2019s lazy glance toward her felt almost murderous.

\u201c\u2026Fine.\u201d

Inside the cage, the gyrfalcon tucked its neck in and trembled like an oversized quail.

Satisfied, Fan Changyu pushed her cart toward the butcher street.

Heavy snow blanketed the roads today. Even at this hour, only a few pedestrians traveled outside.

The butcher street itself was equally deserted.

After opening her shop and clearing snow from beneath the eaves, she suddenly noticed the brick stove she had built outside had been smashed apart.

She was so angry she nearly laughed.

Her braised meat business had only been open a few days, yet someone was already jealous enough to destroy her things?

After the incidents with Fan Da and the gambling den, she had developed a reputation for being fierce and hot-tempered.

And sometimes having a vicious reputation came with advantages.

Fan Changyu immediately threw down her broom, planted her hands on her hips, and bellowed:

\u201cWhich turtle-born bastard smashed your granny\u2019s stove? Too cowardly to speak face-to-face so you sneak around doing dirty tricks instead? Were your ancestors all bastard turtles too?\u201d

Having trained in martial arts since childhood, her voice carried with enough force to echo through the entire street.

The neighboring butchers stayed silent.

Only Butcher Guo immediately shouted back when her gaze swept toward him:

\u201cWhat are you looking at me for? I\u2019m not the one who smashed it!\u201d

Fan Changyu actually did not suspect him.

Because aside from obvious schadenfreude, his face lacked even the slightest hint of guilty panic.

One butcher\u2019s wife beside her suddenly seemed to realize something.

\u201cOh no, Changyu\u2014your shop was closed for a whole month before, right? Did you forget to pay protection fees?\u201d

It was Fan Changyu\u2019s first time hearing such a thing.

\u201cProtection fees?\u201d

The butcher\u2019s wife sighed.

\u201cWhen you run a business, besides paying taxes to the officials every month, you also have to give a little money to the gang leader controlling this street. Your shop\u2019s been doing too well lately. Those people probably heard about it. If you ask me\u2026 they\u2019ll probably come looking for you soon.\u201d

Now understanding the situation, Fan Changyu immediately figured things out.

The thugs smashed her stove last night as a warning.

Today they would definitely come collect money.

After thanking the butcher\u2019s wife, she calmly arranged the fresh pork and braised meat onto the counter, then placed a long staff behind the door.

As she sold meat, she quietly waited for the troublemakers to arrive.

At three quarters past chen hour, a gang of street hooligans swaggered into the butcher district, shoving people aside arrogantly as they came.

Pedestrians scattered at the sight of them.

Hearing the commotion from inside her shop, Fan Changyu glanced outside\u2014

Oh.

Old acquaintances.<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3504","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3504"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3505,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3504\/revisions\/3505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}