Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Xia Xin’s Science Popularization Time
Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Xia Xin’s Science Popularization Time
“Why did they send you to refurbish the place?” Jiangli’s gaze suddenly shifted to Duan Jianchuan, carrying a scrutinizing pressure.
Duan Jianchuan, a warrior, felt his heart uncontrollably skip a beat under Jiangli’s stare, fear creeping in, instinctively wanting to dodge away.
He clenched his fists tightly, forcing himself to stand firm, “At that time, my elder brother was abroad, and this mansion had been unoccupied for a long time and needed renovation. For the sake of my brother’s safety, I was entrusted with full authority over the matter. I handpicked everything, and only after ensuring their safety did I bring them in. After the renovation, I personally inspected everything to make sure there were no surveillance or eavesdropping devices, that no one had tampered with anything, before letting my brother move in. What do you mean by asking this, Abbot? Is there something wrong with the mansion?”
Jiangli said indifferently, “It seems, no matter how careful you are, it’s futile. Even with the utmost caution, the things that are meant to come will still find their way in, unavoidable.”
Duan Jianchuan furrowed his brows sharply, “What do you mean by that, Abbot? Is there something wrong with the renovations I did?”
Back then, he had requested equipment from the military and examined every inch of the villa. He hadn’t overlooked any place, so how could there be a problem?
“Some issues cannot be explained by your modern scientific methods,” Jiangli said.
Jiangli glanced at him and knew exactly what Duan Jianchuan was thinking.
Duan Jianchuan was startled.
Wen Zishu said warily, “Could it be that there is something dirty in the villa?”
“Yes and no,” Jiangli replied ambiguously.
It seemed like an answer, but at the same time, it didn’t seem like one.
At least Wen Zishu couldn’t understand what Jiangli meant.
Fu Shiyan’s gaze remained fixed on Jiangli.
Without waiting for him to ask, Jiangli walked towards the ornamental pines and cypresses.
Xia Xin noticed those trees and let out a sound of surprise.
Wen Zishu looked at him and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Why would your family want to plant pines and cypresses?” Xia Xin asked curiously.
Wen Zishu was puzzled, “Can’t we plant them? Aren’t pines and cypresses evergreen?”
Xia Xin hesitated, “I’m not sure if I’m right, but I remember my master once said that it’s actually best not to plant pine trees in a personal residence.”
Duan Jianchuan frowned, “Is there some reason for that?”
“This…” Xia Xin chuckled awkwardly, “If I remember correctly, pine trees are considered a type of yin tree, along with cypress, locust, elm, and Chinese thuja trees, collectively known as Wuyin Wood. Wuyin Wood likes to grow in the shade, has a long lifespan, and can gather Yin Energy, creating an atmosphere suitable for yin places. Insects and snakes that thrive in yin situations often dwell in them, so pines and cypresses are usually planted in cemeteries to guard Yin Houses. They are also commonly seen near temples and ancestral halls, but it’s taboo to plant such trees in the front or back of a Yang Mansion Restaurant.”
Duan Jianchuan was taken aback, “But the decorating team told me that pines and cypresses are evergreen.”
“It’s true they said that, but it’s not good to plant them around a Yang Mansion Restaurant ,” Xia Xin scratched his head, not knowing the specifics.
Wen Zishu couldn’t help asking, “What does ‘Yang Mansion Restaurant’ mean?”
“A ‘Yang Mansion Restaurant’ refers to living people, that is, places where normal people live, as opposed to a Yin House, which is where the dead reside, like a grave,” Xia Xin explained.
Wen Zishu felt a chill, “So, there’s so much to it…”
Xia Xin touched his nose, “Xuanmen has many such theories, but I’m just a novice apprentice; there’s a lot I don’t understand. However, it’s common knowledge not to plant Wuyin Wood in a Yang Mansion Restaurant.”
It’s just that ordinary people don’t know about it.
Having heard others say that pines and cypresses are evergreen, Duan Jianchuan had inspected those trees without finding any issues, so planting them seemed reasonable.
“So you’re saying we’ve been conned?”