Siheyuan: Tathagata's Palm suppresses the entire courtyard!

Professor Zhang nodded. "Come in, kids. Tell me, what problems have you encountered?"

Xu Mingjie and Ran Qiuye told Professor Zhang all their findings and questions. After listening, Professor Zhang was silent for a moment and slowly said, "What you have discovered is indeed a secret in the history of our hometown."

"Professor, do you know these things?" Ran Qiuye asked.

Professor Zhang sighed, "I know some, but not all. Many years ago, I also tried to study these things, but later gave up for some reasons."

"What's the reason?" Xu Mingjie asked.

"Because these things involve some very complicated backgrounds and characters, I can't find out the details by myself, and I dare not go deeper." Professor Zhang's eyes revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Then what should we do?" Ran Qiuye was a little anxious.

"You've come a long way. Keep going, but be careful," Professor Zhang encouraged.

Xu Mingjie and Ran Qiuye nodded and decided to continue their investigation. They knew that although the road ahead was difficult, they could no longer turn back and the truth must be revealed.

One night, Xu Mingjie was sitting alone in his study, sorting out the information. Suddenly, the phone rang. He picked up the phone and heard the other party say, "Mr. Xu Mingjie, I know you are investigating these things, but I advise you to stop, otherwise you will bear the consequences."

The other party's threat made Xu Mingjie feel a chill. After he hung up the phone, his heart was full of doubts and worries.

How will Xu Mingjie face this changing city in the future? Will he choose to abandon tradition and pursue a modern lifestyle? Or will he stick to his family's tradition and continue to protect the history of this courtyard?

Xu Mingjie stood in the courtyard of the quadrangle, looking at his former residence. The setting sun shone obliquely on the blue bricks and gray tiles, outlining a simple and warm atmosphere. Since the quadrangle was listed as a historical protected building, every time he returned here, he felt a deep emotional impact, and those past memories surged into his heart like a flood.

"Mingjie, look, the old locust tree here is still so lush and green." His mother's voice broke his thoughts. She was standing in a corner of the patio, holding a pair of scissors in her hand, trimming a blooming peony next to her.

"Yes, these trees have been with us for many years." Xu Mingjie smiled and walked over to help his mother arrange the branches. His mother is a gentle and strong woman, and has always been the backbone of family harmony in the courtyard.

"You've worked hard outside these years, and it's not easy for our courtyard house either." The mother said as she trimmed the plants, with a hint of emotion in her tone.

Xu Mingjie nodded. His job required him to travel around the city frequently to handle various business affairs. Only when he returned here did he truly feel the warmth and peace of home. His father had passed away for many years, but the land and buildings they left behind carried the stories and emotions of their family.

"Mom, these flowers are trimmed beautifully." A familiar voice sounded. It was Xu Mingjie's daughter Xiaoya. She came over with a big bouquet of fresh flowers and smiled.

Xiaoya is the apple of Xu Mingjie's eye. She is smart and likes playing in the courtyard since she was a child. She lives with her parents in a modern apartment in the city, but every holiday, she can't wait to come here to enjoy the rare tranquility and family warmth.

"Xiaoya, are these flowers going to add some color to our yard?" asked the mother with a smile. She always liked to do some handicrafts in the garden with Xiaoya.

"Yes, grandma, I think the flowers and plants in the yard will be more beautiful if some colors are added." Xiaoya said with a smile while placing the bouquet of flowers on the stone table beside her.

Xu Mingjie watched the conversation between the mother and daughter, and an inexplicable sense of security surged in his heart. No matter how the outside world changes, this courtyard is always the place where they return and the foundation of family emotions.

When the family was happily chatting in the yard, there was a sudden noise. Xu Mingjie looked up and saw a middle-aged man standing at the gate of the yard, with an angry look on his face and shouting loudly.

"Jia Dongxu, you coward, you finally met me today!" A middle-aged man who looked aggressive was pointing at a thin young man in the yard, and his voice shook the whole yard.

Xu Mingjie frowned. This young man named Jia Dongxu was his distant nephew. He was often bullied because of his introverted personality. And the man standing in front of him, He Yushui, was a rough man near the yard. He was known for his aggressiveness and liked to pick on people in the neighborhood.

"Brother He, what's wrong with you? Jia Dongxu is a member of our courtyard. We all live in harmony. If there are any problems, we can talk about them nicely." Xu Mingjie stepped forward and tried to mediate the conflict.

He Yushui glanced at Xu Mingjie and snorted coldly: "Mingjie, don't mind your own business. I have to teach this coward a lesson today."

"Brother He, don't be so excited. We can discuss it properly." Xu Mingjie said calmly, trying to calm He Yushui's emotions.

"Today I'm going to see what Jia Dongxu is capable of!" As soon as He Yushui finished speaking, he stretched out his hand to grab Jia Dongxu, obviously intending to attack.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Jia Dongxu took a step back with a pale face, obviously no match for He Yushui. Seeing this, Xu Mingjie had an idea and grabbed He Yushui's arm.

"Brother He, please don't be like this. Let's talk it over nicely." Xu Mingjie's voice was calm, but the strength in his hands was enough for He Yushui to feel his determination.

He Yushui was slightly restrained by Xu Mingjie's strength, but his face was still full of anger: "Mingjie, don't mind your own business. This kid is a softie every day. How can anyone trust him?"

Xu Mingjie took a deep breath and looked at He Yushui calmly: "Brother He, Jia Dongxu is a member of our family. We should help each other instead of fighting each other."

After hearing this, He Yushui's anger eased a little, but he was still unwilling to give up: "Mingjie, you also know that this kid has been a coward since he was a child. He doesn't dare to confront others head-on and always embarrasses our courtyard."

Xu Mingjie gently released He Yushui's arm and said slowly: "Brother He, everyone has different personalities. Jia Dongxu may be more introverted, but as a family, we should understand and tolerate him."

He Yushui hesitated for a moment, and finally loosened his clenched fists and let out a long breath: "Well, okay, since you said so, I will let him go today. But you have to discipline him well and don't let him embarrass our yard again."