Chapter 19: Getting into Trouble? Just as Expected

This is what life truly is.

Watching Xing’er, her delicate face flushed yet steadfastly focused on her work, Ye Liuyun sighed softly within. Everyone despises capital, yet everyone yearns to become capital.

It wasn’t until quite late that Xing’er finally returned to Sheng Lanzhi’s side.

“You’ve been spending quite a long time by his side recently, haven’t you?” Sheng Lanzhi, seated in the courtyard admiring the moonlight, looked up with a hint of curiosity upon seeing Xing’er return.

In the past, although Xing’er was also responsible for matters concerning Ye Liufeng, she would usually come back quickly. But lately, the time she spent by his side had been growing longer and longer.

“Replying to Madam,” Xing’er answered softly.

“Lord has been devoted to martial training recently, with many matters to handle. I have taken on more responsibilities. If Madam wishes, I can assign others to attend to Lord,” she said, her complexion as usual, betraying no sign of trouble.

“…,”

Sheng Lanzhi said nothing, instead gazing at Xing’er for a moment.

Having been her close attendant since childhood, Sheng Lanzhi trusted her.

“No need,” she shook her head after a while.

“I feel more at ease when you handle things.”

Of course, Sheng Lanzhi had little to occupy her now, rarely leaving the mansion except to visit the study to read, and a maid to serve tea was sufficient.

She was quite pleased that Ye Liuyun could settle his mind and train earnestly.

“Besides, you came with me as my personal maid when I married into this family. Although officially my maid, you are also considered his concubine. Staying by his side is not inappropriate.”

All other maids and guards in Ye Liuyun’s residence were newly hired after Sheng Lanzhi’s arrival.

Only Xing’er was brought from their previous place.

Though called a personal maid, in this era Xing’er was essentially a chambermaid, no different from a concubine.

Only before, Ye Liufeng had never touched Sheng Lanzhi, nor Xing’er.

As always, proud and ambitious, he believed he could carve out a future that would make the household obediently acknowledge his status and bow to him.

“I was Madam’s maid before, and I will remain so,” Xing’er’s thoughts stirred upon hearing she was called Ye Liuyun’s concubine, but she still spoke earnestly.

“Enough, get up now!” Sheng Lanzhi waved her hand, signaling Xing’er to rise.

…

In the following days,

Ye Liuyun’s life as a Jinyiwei officer continued as usual, shuttling between the mansion and duties. After becoming a county head, apart from the increase in flatterers around him, little else had changed.

As for cultivation,

After reaching the Postnatal Martial Artist realm, progress slowed considerably.

Unless some extraordinary opportunity arose, advancing to the Innate realm would inevitably take time.

Yet Ye Liuyun was not anxious.

Martial training required patience; haste only led to mishaps.

One day,

Ye Liuyun was perusing case files.

“Sir! Sir!” came a hurried voice from outside—surely trouble had arisen.

Ye Liuyun set aside the unfinished files.

These records contained numerous cases; reading them broadened one’s knowledge.

Moments later, Sinan rushed in.

“Sir, something’s happened with Shi Sheng!”

This was hardly surprising. It was almost strange that it had taken so many days for any commotion to surface.

“Where is he?”

“On East Street. This matter is serious—those caught had tokens from the palace.”

Tokens from the palace meant the individuals were palace personnel, their status variable.

After consideration, Ye Liuyun stood.

“Let’s go see!”

“Yes, sir!” Sinan quickly followed, guiding the way and explaining the situation.

In brief, while patrolling, Shi Sheng encountered a young nobleman who refused to pay for food. Shi Sheng tried to arrest him, but the man showed a token from the palace.

Shi Sheng, however, was stubborn—whoever eats must pay, or be taken to the Jinyiwei for questioning.

The standoff continued.

…

“I don’t care about your token or not. If you eat, you pay,” Shi Sheng declared stiff-necked on East Street, utterly indifferent.

The young nobleman looked troubled.

Having lived a life of indulgence in the palace, never worrying about money, he had forgotten to bring any upon leaving for the first time.

“Well then, how about tomorrow? I’ll bring the payment then.”

Given his status, a few taels of silver were no problem.

At least he was reasonable, unlike other arrogant scions.

“Ha!”

Shi Sheng, a seasoned Jinyiwei, had seen all sorts of scoundrels over the years.

He’d encountered such promises before—saying they’d pay later, only to vanish afterward.

“Then wait until you’re released from the Jinyiwei tomorrow to come pay,” Shi Sheng said, reaching to seize him.

“Come with me to the Jinyiwei.”

At this moment, a female guard nearby’s expression darkened, and she slapped out with a palm.

“How dare you!”

“Bang!”

Before Shi Sheng could react, his vision blurred and he was violently thrown into the air.

The young nobleman frowned at the scene.

“Your Highness… please rest assured, I did not mean to harm him!” the guard quickly reassured.

At the same time,

Ye Liuyun, passing by, saw Shi Sheng flying out from the crowd.

“Hm?”

Shi Sheng had recently reached the first-tier of strength; to be thrown so effortlessly, the attacker’s power must at least be Postnatal.

At the same time, with a single hand, Ye Liuyun drew a circle in the air, dispersing the internal energy from Shi Sheng, causing him to fall.

The female guard, originally explaining to her master, also glanced over upon seeing this.

“Postnatal Martial Artist?”

She clearly recognized Ye Liuyun’s strength.

Catching Shi Sheng, Ye Liuyun’s eyes met those of the guard.

She was quite attractive.

“Target: Lu Lan!

Cultivation: Mid-Innate Stage!

Talent Attributes: Extreme Yin Constitution (Purple), Swordsmanship Talent (Purple), Keen Ears and Eyes (Blue),”

“Extreme Yin Constitution (Purple): Innate cold physique, with comprehension far beyond ordinary.”

“Keen Ears and Eyes (Blue): Possesses observation and hearing abilities greatly surpassing normal.”

Two purples and a blue? This was the first time encountering such a person.

…