It’s just like a cat playing with a mouse.
Precisely because the hunter knows the prey can’t fight back, that’s why they start taunting first, not in a hurry to make a move.
It’s all about savoring that desperate look when the prey is scrambling to escape yet powerless to resist.
But this Landlord Wang is clearly no easy mark; normally, no half-brained flower thief would think of leaving a letter before doing the deed.
Isn’t that just giving the other side a heads up for nothing?
"So that’s how it is!"
Right then, Si Nan, after hearing Ye Liuyun’s explanation, clearly realized something, his eyes suddenly enlightened.
The way he looked at Ye Liuyun was full of admiration.
"As expected of you, sir!"
Honestly, if Ye Liuyun hadn’t pointed it out, I probably wouldn’t have figured it out myself.
"Hey, quit being all mysterious! Just say it straight out if you’ve thought of something."
But this kind of display just made Shi Sheng scratch his head in frustration — so I’m the only one still clueless here?
Seeing Si Nan about to explain, Ye Liuyun simply waved his hand and spoke.
"Think for yourself. If you can’t figure it out, forget riding a horse—walk back to the Imperial City on your own two feet."
Ye Liuyun valued Shi Sheng, after all; can’t have him always thinking fists solve every problem. Best to take this chance to hone his brain a bit.
"Uh..."
Shi Sheng was stumped now, while Si Nan couldn’t hide his gloating joy.
"If your mind’s really blank, you can start heading back now. Maybe we’ll meet up in the Imperial City come sunrise."
It’s not every day you get to tease Shi Sheng; Si Nan was savoring the moment.
Throwing a glance at Si Nan, Ye Liuyun spoke blandly.
"If he can’t figure it out, you’re running back with him."
Si Nan: ???
Wait, why am I getting dragged into this? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have teased him.
But then, seeing Shi Sheng looking at him with that new, gloating glare, Si Nan snapped,
"You think you’ve got time to laugh? Better get to thinking, unless you really wanna jog all the way back to the Imperial City."
"..."
Even as a First-class Martial Artist, Shi Sheng sucked at Qinggong. If he really had to run that far, Si Nan was probably right—he’d best get moving now.
After some more scratching and frowning—
Suddenly, Shi Sheng’s eyes lit up as if he just realized something.
"I got it!"
Guess Shi Sheng may act simple, but he reacts fast enough when a problem comes up, huh?
Ye Liuyun nodded with satisfaction, looking to Shi Sheng.
"Let’s hear it."
"Sir, you must have your eye on Landlord Wang’s little daughter, right?"
"..."
Ye Liuyun’s sunny grin froze up instantly. Even Si Nan, just getting relaxed, shot Shi Sheng a weird glance.
Shi Sheng didn’t seem to notice. Stroking his chin, he started analyzing all by himself.
"You know, I’ve never seen her, but everyone says Landlord Wang’s daughter is drop-dead gorgeous. Totally matches you, sir."
What a thorough—but completely off—the mark analysis...
Ye Liuyun didn’t reply, just said instead,
"Tomorrow you can carry Si Nan on your back all the way to the Imperial City."
"Wait, sir, I’m honestly out of ideas. Could it be the flower thief’s not after Landlord Wang’s concubine, but instead has his sights set on Wang’s daughter?"
Shi Sheng knew himself well enough—analyzing stuff like this just wasn’t his thing.
Back when handling cases before, his men did all the investigation; all he had to do was show up and fight at the end.
"But you just thought of it, didn’t you?"
Si Nan rolled his eyes at Shi Sheng, speechless.
Though—being carried back to the Imperial City by Shi Sheng actually sounded kind of fun.
"Uh!"
Shi Sheng really hadn’t expected his random guess to actually hit the truth.
"So if the flower thief is actually targeting Wang’s daughter, why did the letter mention the concubine? Oh!"
Halfway through, Shi Sheng got it—it all clicked.
"I get it! It’s a misdirection—lead the tiger away from the mountain!"
"You actually know about leading the tiger away? I always thought you were illiterate!"
Si Nan looked at Shi Sheng like he was seeing a whole new man.
"Get lost!"
Shi Sheng shot Si Nan an annoyed glare.
Whether I’m literate or not, what the hell does that have to do with knowing what ’lead the tiger from the mountain’ means?
Not bothering with Si Nan, Shi Sheng turned to Ye Liuyun.
"Sir, am I right?"
"Not bad, you’ve got something in your head after all."
Good thing the guy isn’t completely hopeless. After handling a few more cases, he’ll sharpen up.
"Landlord Wang’s not some ordinary family—with that many servants, the flower thief must know if he gets caught, there’s no escaping. So he came up with this plan to get everyone focusing on the concubine."
"And so, they neglect to keep an eye on Wang’s daughter!"
Saying this, Ye Liuyun pointed around them.
All around Wang’s daughter’s courtyard, hardly any servants in sight, clearly because they were all moved to guard the concubine.
"But what if that’s not it?"
Shi Sheng couldn’t help scratching his head—itchy, like his brain really was about to grow a bit.
"That’s why I got the rest of the Embroidered Uniform Guard watching over there. If anything unexpected happens, there’s plenty of guards—nothing much to worry about."
"Ah, so that’s how it is!"
Hearing all this, Shi Sheng nodded in realization.
As for Wang’s daughter, with the three of them there, dealing with one mere flower thief would be a piece of cake.
"Sir, your plans leave nothing uncovered—your humble subordinate is deeply impressed!"
This kind of flattering only ever comes from Si Nan.
Ye Liuyun waved it off—it really didn’t matter much to him.
Normally, for a flower thief like this, any Commander could handle it, but hey, Landlord Wang shelled out enough cash that a Captain was brought in.
So, you know—
Money may not be everything, but without money, you can do nothing.
This saying works in every era.
...
"Miss, what are all these Embroidered Uniform Guards doing in our courtyard?"
Ye Liuyun and the others were sitting in the courtyard, not going inside to disturb them.
Inside the house, apart from Landlord Wang’s younger daughter, Wang Mu’Er, there were a few maids.
At the maid’s question, a thought flickered across Wang Mu’Er’s eyes. Though just a young woman, life’s circumstances meant she’d learned to read and write and mastered all the arts since childhood.
She was a clever one, no doubt about it.
She quickly figured out why they were being guarded.
Taking a peek through the window at Ye Liuyun and company seated outside, she nodded to the maid at her side and spoke,
"Have the servants warm up a pot of wine for the three officials out there, and prepare some snacks, too."
"Yes, miss!"
Wang Mu’Er’s words left no room for opposition, and the maids quickly agreed.
...