Qi Yuanliang had nearly forgotten that imperial edicts were even a thing.
"What do you mean, you don’t think a mere edict can make me obey just like that, do you?"
Qi Yuanliang also knew that Yan Shuzhu had wanted to promote Ye Liuyun before, but he’d stopped it, so of course Yan held a grudge against him.
But surely the other side didn’t think that, just with a single edict, they could control him?
However, Shadow simply shook his head and said,
"Sir, the edict’s not for you, it’s for Ye Liuyun."
If it weren’t so, Shadow wouldn’t even have come to report.
"Ye Liuyun?"
Qi Yuanliang was stunned for a moment, then realized something and immediately got up and walked out.
,,,
Just as expected.
Inside the palace.
By the time Qi Yuanliang arrived, he saw that people from the palace had already begun reading the edict aloud.
"By order of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Ye Liuyun, Lord Hundred Households of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, brave and resourceful... is hereby promoted to Lord Thousand Households of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
There was a long stretch in the middle just praising Ye Liuyun.
Even with Ye Liuyun’s thick skin, getting complimented over and over still made him a bit embarrassed. He had no idea what mindset Yan Shuzhu was in when writing the edict.
"Lord Ye Hundred Households—wait, now it’s Lord Ye Thousand Households—aren’t you going to accept the edict?"
The old eunuch in charge of announcing the edict, seeing Ye Liuyun unmoved, grinned and prodded him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Ye Liuyun, snapping back to himself, smoothly took the edict from the old eunuch’s hand.
That same line: What’s meant to be mine, no one can take it.
"Congratulations, Lord Thousand Households!"
A crowd of Embroidered Uniform Guards who’d gathered around, seeing this, all began respectfully addressing Ye Liuyun by his new title.
No one thought it odd.
Plenty of people had already believed Ye Liuyun deserved a Thousand Households seat.
After all, the guy’s an Innate Martial Artist—what era doesn’t judge by strength?
The loudest congratulators were Si Nan and Shi Sheng.
When one person succeeds, all their followers rise with them.
No one’s stupid—now that Ye Liuyun’s been promoted, the ones who’ll benefit most are those who’ve long been loyal to him.
Si Nan even slipped out a few silver ingots, quietly handing them to the old eunuch who read the edict.
"Thank you, sir, for making the trip."
"No trouble! No trouble at all!"
The old eunuch, taking the silver, discreetly weighed it in his hand.
The smile on his face was so wide his wrinkles practically unfolded.
This kind of officialdom secret rule, Si Nan had seen plenty before—he knew exactly what to do.
At this point,
Ye Liuyun happened to spot Qi Yuanliang hurrying over, and his smile grew even wider.
"Governor, did you come to congratulate me too?"
As he spoke, he raised the imperial edict.
"Y—Yes, of course!"
Qi Yuanliang nodded along, but the smile on his face looked a little forced.
Qi Yuanliang had planned to use this Thousand Households position to keep Ye Liuyun in check—to make sure Ye knew, he could be the source of good things too.
But what do you know—
He only wanted to investigate the truth behind the Shi Xing’an case first.
Turns out that little emperor just cut in and sent the edict straight over.
Even if everyone thinks Yan Shuzhu is just a puppet, the edict can’t just be publicly defied.
Otherwise, you’d be slapping not just Yan Shuzhu’s face, but the Emperor’s authority—which is absolutely forbidden.
"I hadn’t gotten the chance to congratulate Lord Ye Thousand Households yet!"
He then smiled, cupping his hands to Ye Liuyun.
With acting skills honed to perfection, Qi Yuanliang quickly composed himself and smiled so naturally you’d never know anything was wrong.
,,,
No matter what Qi Yuanliang was thinking.
As long as he kept up appearances, that was enough. Watching someone seethe inside but still maintain a cordial smile on the surface—
Ye Liuyun’s amusement only deepened.
After a few polite exchanges,
He called his men to disperse.
Only Si Nan and Shi Sheng were left.
"Heh heh!"
With no outsiders around, there was no need to pretend anymore.
Si Nan laughed and sidled up to Ye Liuyun, raising his eyebrow—his intent plain as day.
Looking at Si Nan like this,
Ye Liuyun grinned, then turned his gaze to Shi Sheng.
"Go pick up your Hundred Households waist tag, and bring my Thousand Households official robes too."
The robes for Hundred Households and Commander are different—the Hundred Households just gets an extra waist tag.
Thousand Households and Governor, though, get their own exclusive robes, which look far more imposing.
"Yes, sir!"
Shi Sheng didn’t hesitate and accepted the order at once.
After Shi Sheng left,
Si Nan was clearly feeling anxious, crowding up to Ye Liuyun again and again.
"Sir, what about me? Don’t forget me."
Ye Liuyun was never the type to abandon his own people or kick someone down once he’d succeeded.
Besides, Si Nan had always worked hard and been clever—Ye Liuyun liked that.
Except—
"I’ve said this before, haven’t I? How much longer until you reach the First-class Realm?"
Si Nan’s cultivation talent wasn’t especially high, but not terrible either.
Reaching the realm of First-class Martial Artist shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s just—
Si Nan’s attention was always elsewhere, never focusing much on training, which is why he’s always stuck in this awkward spot—not high, not low.
"Ah! Fine then!"