It still depends on Ye Qinzhen herself.
"A mage technique?"
Although she hadn’t really come into contact with it before, she’d still heard people in the mansion discuss such things.
With a single glance, she could tell that this was a mage technique.
But... could she really learn it herself?
Yet thinking how she had no other options now, Ye Qinzhen still opened up the manual and began to study it seriously.
She didn’t have Ye Liuyun’s endless comprehension, nor the innate gifts of constitution.
She only had a mere blue-level mage talent.
Even so, Ye Qinzhen quickly understood the contents of the manual.
"This..."
Ye Qinzhen couldn’t help being surprised herself. She honestly hadn’t expected that she’d have such a gift.
What surprised Ye Qinzhen even more—
was that Ye Liuyun had spotted her potential with just one look. Otherwise, why would he have instantly handed her the manual when he saw her?
Thinking of this—
Ye Qinzhen went a bit silent.
She was gripping the manual so tightly it almost hurt.
"I will—definitely succeed in cultivating this!"
Even if her identity was now disgraced, Ye Qinzhen had made up her mind to change everything using her own efforts.
She’d work hard to be worthy of that man, no matter what.
Maybe even Ye Liuyun hadn’t realized how much his random act would mean to a young girl.
She’d been a noble lady, until disaster struck from the sky.
Her status plunged from a highborn miss, down to a lowly courtesan of a brothel.
Her innocence had nearly been defiled.
Yet it was Ye Liuyun’s sudden intervention that protected Ye Qinzhen’s purity, and gave her the mage manual—giving her a chance to change her fate.
That, too, was a different kind of destiny-changing event for Ye Qinzhen.
For Ye Qinzhen, the impact couldn’t be understated.
The impression it left was naturally deep.
...
"Achoo!"
Ye Liuyun had no idea that right now, some girl was thinking about him, heart and soul.
Having just left the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he couldn’t help but sneeze.
Felt like someone was talking about him—couldn’t be Qi Yuanliang, right? Mm! Must be him.
"What a pity!"
Si Nan and Shi Sheng followed Ye Liuyun out, with Si Nan grinning blissfully.
This time, the windfall from the house raid was sizable—more than all the previous ones combined. Of course, it was all thanks to Lord Ye Liuyun; if it’d been someone else in charge, even a few taels of silver would’ve been a lot.
By comparison—
Shi Sheng, on the other hand, really did look regretful.
"Sigh!"
He couldn’t even hold back a sigh.
"What the hell are you sighing about? The lord gave you plenty of money!"
"That’s not what I’m sighing over!"
Shi Sheng shot Si Nan a sour look.
Do you think I’m like you, only caring about money?
"I’m bummed that Shi Xing’an wasn’t in the Embroidered Uniform Guard; otherwise we might’ve had the chance to kill him then!"
His son was crippled.
If news reached him, Shi Xing’an would definitely lose his mind with rage.
He’d figured that once they got back, Shi Xing’an would storm in, livid.
The reality? Nothing at all.
After asking around, he found out Shi Xing’an had left in the daytime and hadn’t been back since, so he had no idea his son was crippled.
"Isn’t that normal?"
Si Nan rolled his eyes at Shi Sheng.
Si Nan had already predicted this would happen.
"Haven’t you heard? Since Shi Xing’an became Lord Thousand Households, he’s been grabbing money nonstop. Right now, he’s probably out there somewhere squeezing more cash. You think he’d obediently stick around Embroidered Uniform Guard HQ?"
In other words—
If Shi Xing’an actually stayed at headquarters, that would be the weird part.
"Tch."
Shi Sheng clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Keeping someone like that in the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a disaster—they should’ve axed him ages ago."
People with no real abilities—
Only know how to squeeze the people dry, butter up the higher-ups, and look down on everyone else... Shi Sheng hated guys like that most.
"Relax, he’ll find out by tonight at the latest."
People always have to go home, right?
"Just wonder if he’s got the guts to avenge his son."
At this, Si Nan grinned teasingly, glancing at their lord.
"Wouldn’t that be perfect? Just off him right then!"
Shi Sheng didn’t see any problem with that in the slightest.
He even said it matter-of-factly.
"That Lord Thousand Households seat should be ours, not Shi Xing’an’s. He’s nothing."
If Ye Liuyun hadn’t restrained him—
Shi Sheng would’ve made a move that same day, given his temper.
"Relax!"
Under their gaze, Ye Liuyun also smiled.
"Don’t worry. What’s mine, nobody can take away."
If it belonged to him, sooner or later it’d come back.
After saying so, Ye Liuyun didn’t say another word, just waved Si Nan and Shi Sheng off and went on his way.
"Let’s go!"
Shi Sheng watched Ye Liuyun leave—
Then turned to Si Nan.
"???"
Si Nan had just gotten his joints loosened up, but Shi Sheng’s words confused him.
"Go? Where?"
"Imperial Music Bureau, of course!"
Shi Sheng spoke like it was obvious.
"You got so much cash today—knowing you, isn’t it about time to splurge at the Imperial Music Bureau?"
Actually, when Si Nan hadn’t been around, Shi Sheng had asked Ye Liuyun, but Ye Liuyun hadn’t agreed.
"Uh!"
Wanted to argue, but couldn’t think of a comeback.
After all, damn, it really was his usual routine.
And honestly, Si Nan had been planning to hit the Imperial Music Bureau anyway. Now that Shi Sheng said it, Si Nan glanced over in surprise.
"You’re actually treating?"
Since Shi Sheng brought it up, Si Nan naturally assumed Shi Sheng was going to pay.
"Nope, you’re treating."
...