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墨書 Inktalez
As the morning light gently illuminated the office of the Forbidden City Restoration Institute, Lin Xueqing laid out the Peach Wood Comb, a jade pendant, and a map on the table.
"According to the map," she pointed at several marked locations, "there are a total of seven gates in the Forbidden City."
"Seven is a special number," the Old Curator remarked. "In Chinese tradition, it represents the intersection of yin and yang."
"These gates are located at..." Shen Mo Ting studied the map closely. "Qianqing Palace, Kun Ning Palace, Yangxin Hall, Imperial Garden..."
"All significant places," Lin Xueqing noted. "And each one contains a painting by Lang Shining."
"The paintings serve as a cover," the Old Curator explained. "Each artwork conceals clues to unlock the gates."
Lin Xueqing picked up the jade pendant. "What about this?"
"A token," the Old Curator replied. "Only those who possess the correct token can truly open the gates."
"So they've been searching for this," Shen Mo Ting pondered. "But they don’t realize they also need the Comb."
"Your mother is quite clever," the Old Curator said, looking at Lin Xueqing. "She divided the key into two parts: the jade pendant hidden within the painting, and the Comb displayed publicly as a Cultural Relic."
Lin Xueqing ran her fingers over the comb's surface. "But what should we do now?"
"First, we need to find the First Door," the Old Curator instructed. "Then..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Director Chen strode in.
"There's no need to search anymore," he said, his expression serious. "They've already begun their actions."
"What?"
"I just received news that Director Chen said the surveillance at Qianqing Palace detected something unusual. Someone broke into the palace half an hour ago."
"They're going to open the First Door." The Old Curator stood up. "We must stop them."
"No," Director Chen shook his head. "The most important thing now is to protect the Comb and the jade pendant. If they fall into their hands..."
"It's too late." Lin Xueqing interrupted him. "If they manage to open any door, the consequences will be catastrophic."
"But you aren't prepared," Director Chen said. "This is too dangerous."
"Some things," Lin Xueqing looked out at the Forbidden City, "are meant to be done in danger."
Shen Mo Ting took her hand. "I'll go with you."
"I'm going too," the Old Curator said.
Director Chen paused for a moment. "Alright. I will mobilize personnel to seal off the Forbidden City area. But remember, if things go awry, evacuate immediately."
Lin Xueqing nodded and carefully secured the Comb and the jade pendant.
"Wait." The Old Curator suddenly said, "There is one more thing you must know."
Everyone turned to him.
"Once the door is opened," the Old Curator's voice was heavy, "a time-space vortex will be created. Anyone who gets too close may be swept into the past. And..."
"And what?"
"No one knows if they can return," the Old Curator said. "That is why the Guardian's mission is so important. It is not just to guard the door, but to protect the boundaries of time and space."
Lin Xueqing took a deep breath. "I understand."
"Now," the Old Curator looked at her, "do you still want to go?"
Lin Xueqing did not answer. Instead, she took out a photograph from her bag. In the photo, a young Mother was repairing a Cultural Relic, her face adorned with a focused smile.
"Some things," she said softly, "are worth everything we have."
In the morning light, several figures swiftly crossed Forbidden City Square. In the distance, the outline of Qianqing Palace emerged in the dawn glow, like a thousand-year-old riddle waiting to be unveiled.
And this time, Lin Xueqing knew she finally understood Mother's choice.
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