Volume Six: Blue and White Porcelain Chapter Two: Professor Zhou and the Blue and White Porcelain

By the time the appreciation gathering for the blue-and-white porcelain concluded, dusk had already settled. Professor Zhou watched the last guest’s car depart from the clubhouse before returning to where Yaoguang and the others were waiting.

“Miss Phoenix, let’s talk in the study,” Professor Zhou said, leading everyone up to the second-floor study. Once they were seated, the blue-and-white porcelain vase was brought in and set upon the professor’s desk.

“Professor Zhou, now that there’s no one else here, would you mind telling us what’s going on?”

“Well, this blue-and-white porcelain vase was purchased from an antique shop on the pedestrian street in the financial district. I was there on business one day, and while passing by, I noticed a new antique shop had opened. As you know, I have a fondness for such things, so I went in. The vase caught my eye immediately, displayed right on the bar counter. After a cursory examination, I determined it was a genuine Xuande blue-and-white piece. I was utterly taken with it. I bargained with the owner and finally bought it for one hundred thousand yuan.” Professor Zhou lit a cigarette.

“One hundred thousand. Professor Zhou, that’s a stroke of luck—just a small blue-and-white porcelain cup would fetch more than that,” Chu Tianyou remarked.

“You’re right, Mr. Chu. When I asked the owner for the price, I could hardly believe it myself. Porcelain is difficult to preserve, and so few pieces survive to this day, especially in such perfect condition. At first, I thought perhaps the owner didn’t know its true worth, or that it might be a convincing fake. But after careful inspection, I was sure it was genuine. I even double-checked with the owner, asking if he’d made a mistake with the price. He insisted it was one hundred thousand for me.” Professor Zhou took a deep drag. “I was astonished. I invited several experts to authenticate it, and they all confirmed it was genuine.”

“How long after you brought the vase home did you notice something was amiss?” Yaoguang asked.

“About a week after I brought it home. At first, I started having nightmares every night—dreams of being trapped in a sealed space, surrounded by earthen walls, engulfed by raging flames. I struggled, but each time I awoke, I found myself paralyzed, as if something was pinning me down, unable to move for a long while. Then the nightmares intensified: I began seeing a woman, wreathed in flames, dragging me toward the fire. For nearly half a month, I was plagued by these nightmares. Then, suddenly, they stopped. I thought I was finally in the clear, but soon after, the hauntings began.”

“Hauntings?” Xuan Chen frowned. “What kind of hauntings?”

“At first, items in my collection on the third and fourth floors would move on their own. I’d find a bronze artifact in a cabinet meant for porcelain cups, and the cup would be on a shelf. I thought perhaps the new guards had placed things incorrectly, but later realized that was impossible—the only key to the collection rooms is in my possession, and the guards can’t enter without my instructions. Besides, I was away at an academic exchange for those few days and never came home. Later, I’d hear footsteps roaming the halls at night. I’d send the maids to check, but they never found anything. Then, strange footprints began appearing on the floors. Thinking something unclean had entered—since antiques tend to attract yin energy—I hired someone to perform a cleansing ritual. But rather than improving, the disturbances worsened. Servants would inexplicably fall down the stairs. When I asked them why, they said someone had pushed them. The gardener once saw someone wandering the garden; when he gave chase, there was no one there—and then he himself was shoved into the fountain. The women in my family would wake up to find themselves being strangled in their sleep. That’s when I realized the situation was grave. It soon affected me personally: once, while slicing fruit, the light above me suddenly fell. Had I not dodged in time, it would’ve struck my head. Another time, while crossing the street on a red light, a hand shoved me off the curb and I was nearly hit by a car. There have been many such incidents. Feeling distressed, I confided in Old Zheng over drinks. He told me, Miss Phoenix, that you specialize in handling these matters. I beg you, help me—if this goes on, my family’s lives and mine will be forfeit.” As Professor Zhou spoke, he loosened his mandarin-collared jacket to reveal his neck, where dark, finger-shaped bruises were clearly visible.

Yaoguang stood and examined the marks closely. Normally, finger marks from strangulation would appear red or purplish, at most blue-violet, as the blood continues to circulate and heal the tissue. But these marks were a deep, inky black. “How long have you had these marks?”

“More than a week. I dreamed someone was strangling me, and upon waking, found these bruises on my neck.” Professor Zhou took a hard drag on his cigarette.

“That long, with no sign of fading? Professor Zhou, I must ask you something—promise me you won’t be offended by the question.” Yaoguang returned to the sofa.

“Please ask,” Professor Zhou replied.

“Are all the antiques in your collection acquired through legitimate means? Have you ever been involved with illegal organizations, such as grave robbing?” Yaoguang asked gravely.

Professor Zhou was taken aback, but then shook his head earnestly. “Absolutely not. My acquisitions are from three sources only: purchased at high prices; exchanged during academic exchanges with equal-value pieces; or received as gifts. I’ve never dealt with or participated in anything illegal. Miss Phoenix, why do you ask—do you suspect this blue-and-white porcelain is…?” Realization dawned on Professor Zhou, and he stared at the artifact in horror.

“You guessed correctly. This blue-and-white vase is fresh from a tomb,” Yaoguang said.

“Tomb goods? Fresh? I’m not sure I understand—do you mean it was taken from a grave?” Professor Zhou was momentarily confused, but after some thought, comprehension struck. “From a tomb?”

“Yes. This vase was recently unearthed from an ancient tomb and passed through only one set of hands before it reached you. That’s why I asked.”

“Only one? Then it must have been that shop owner. But he didn’t look the part—seemed very proper.” Professor Zhou lit another cigarette. “Miss Phoenix, how did you know it was taken from a tomb?”

“It’s simple. The vase is imbued with a chill—not the sort that comes from ghosts or spirits, but the cold that accumulates in sealed, sunless places over long years. Think of the damp chill in a cellar closed off from sunlight for ages,” Yaoguang explained.

“Remarkable,” Professor Zhou said in admiration.

“Whether it’s the vase or your house, there are chaotic fluctuations in the magnetic fields. Professor Zhou, we’ll stay here tonight to observe what’s causing these disturbances. There’s no need to worry; with us here, no evil spirit will dare make mischief,” Yaoguang assured him.

“Thank you, Miss Phoenix! Once this is resolved, I’ll reward you most handsomely,” Professor Zhou replied, visibly relieved.

“That can wait until later,” Yaoguang waved her hand dismissively.

“I’ll arrange guest rooms for everyone, then,” Professor Zhou offered as he began to rise.

“No need. Tonight, I doubt we’ll have time to rest. We’ll stay in the living room. Professor Zhou, keep your doors closed to visitors for the next few days. Until we get to the bottom of this, don’t entertain any guests—I don’t want complications,” Yaoguang said.

“Understood. I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare food for everyone. Can’t let you all work on empty stomachs.” Professor Zhou smiled. “Miss Phoenix, if I may be so bold, where do you work, and who was your mentor?”

“You’re too kind. I’m merely a subordinate of Chief Zheng. As for my mentor, I’m afraid I can’t say.” Yaoguang smiled, thinking she certainly couldn’t reveal that she was a deity—she’d give the old man a nervous breakdown.

“You’re police? And you handle matters like this? I’m amazed,” Professor Zhou said with a laugh.

“Oh, Zhou, you forget things so quickly. Didn’t I tell you about the Heavenly Sword unit? Xuan Chen and Tianyou are both team leaders, and Phoenix is their special advisor,” Chief Zheng, who had been silent until now, stepped in to smooth things over. Phoenix’s background wasn’t something to be shared with outsiders.

“Oh, I see. My apologies, Miss Phoenix. I’ll go instruct the kitchen—please make yourselves comfortable,” Professor Zhou replied before leaving the room.

“Yitian,” Yaoguang whispered a few words in Yitian’s ear, and he went downstairs and left the house. The others followed Yaoguang down to the living room.