Chapter 4: What a Bitter Mess for Me

No one even knows what flowery words he used to trick his father into agreeing to this marriage.

Though she was a woman, Sheng Lanzhi was well aware that, in the officialdom, no matter how deeply you understand its ways, nothing beats having strong martial arts cultivation.

Just like her own father—if only he had Grandmaster-level strength back then, he would never have been forced to resign; this was precisely why Sheng Lanzhi had always looked down on Ye Liufeng.

"Maybe the master went through that whole sibling rivalry and finally matured inside."

Xing’Er had been with Sheng Lanzhi since childhood, and knew her better than anyone.

"Maybe so!"

She waved her hand, not too hung up on the matter.

"Or maybe he just had a momentary lapse of judgment—who knows, maybe he’ll quit after a couple days, just like last time."

Xing’Er didn’t reply.

After all, Ye Liufeng used to do exactly that—pick up the manual, practice two days, then call it quits.

"Enough, I’m tired. Let’s go back and rest."

With that, Sheng Lanzhi stood up in the courtyard, ready to return to her room.

Xing’Er respectfully attended her side.

,,,

The next day.

Ye Liuyun was sleeping soundly when a maid came knocking at the door.

With a glance at the faintly lit sky, Ye Liuyun sat up reluctantly.

Looks like being an Embroidered Uniform Guard isn’t all fun and games—up before dawn just to clock in.

"Master, time to get up."

Open the door and there’s Xing’Er waiting outside. Aside from being Sheng Lanzhi’s personal maid, countless matters in this household, big and small, were handled by Xing’Er, including Ye Liuyun’s daily schedule.

"I know, I know."

Yawning, he got ready to change clothes.

Yet, before Ye Liuyun could do anything, Xing’Er beckoned, and a maid immediately carried over wash water and a towel.

Ye Liuyun didn’t need to lift a finger—the maids carefully washed him up.

The same went for changing—Ye Liuyun just had to raise his arms, and the maids would tiptoe and dress him in his official robes.

"Uh!"

This is what my big brother’s daily life is like? I’m jealous, seriously jealous.

"Is something wrong, Master?"

Xing’Er, noticing Ye Liuyun’s awkward expression, looked over curiously.

"Nothing, just thinking about Embroidered Uniform Guard business."

Ye Liuyun tried to sound casual—it was important to act naturally now, or people might get suspicious.

Anyway, being fussed over by so many maids—this is exactly the transmigrator experience, isn’t it?

Thinking back to his days in a straw hut, scraping by—the hell kind of life was that?

Seeing Ye Liuyun’s casual attitude, Xing’Er didn’t question him.

After Ye Liuyun changed, she led him to the front yard for breakfast.

Even with a lighter breakfast spread, the seven or eight dishes were more than anything Ye Liuyun had enjoyed before transmigrating.

After eating, Ye Liuyun habitually looked around, and Xing’Er knowingly handed him a handkerchief.

There was a reason Sheng Lanzhi kept Xing’Er as a personal maid—when it came to reading people, she was sharp.

"Thanks!"

He dabbed his mouth, handed the handkerchief back to Xing’Er.

Some habits are bred into your bones—no way to change them overnight.

"It’s a servant’s duty, Master!"

As she said this, Xing’Er regarded Ye Liuyun with some curiosity.

The old Liu Feng never once gave the maids so much as a kind look, always putting on airs—let alone saying thank you.

After breakfast, Ye Liuyun left the house.

Xing’Er stared at the handkerchief for a moment, then quietly had the maids clear the table and went to attend Sheng Lanzhi.

,,,

"I’m not going to have to clock in at this ungodly hour every day, am I?"

Dragging himself to Embroidered Uniform Guard sign-in pre-dawn, Ye Liuyun felt this was more work than an ox or horse.

Whatever.

At least he was officially on the payroll now.

And thinking about the chance to get more Talent Entries in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he felt a little giddy.

Muttering, he headed toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters.

"Commander!"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard on duty instantly saluted—obviously recognized Ye Liuyun.

"Mm."

Ye Liuyun just nodded; the more you talk, the more you fuck up.

At times like this, silence is your best friend.

But then...

As soon as he set foot inside, Ye Liuyun realized something.

Damn it, where’s my office?

At least he’d been to his own house before, but his predecessor had never been here at the Guard HQ.

Luckily, he heard a voice all of a sudden.

"Lord Ye!"

A man around thirty or forty, sharp-eyed and shrewd, strode toward him.

Finally—a familiar face. Ye Liuyun had seen this guy before, heard he was his big brother’s trusted aide. Back at the house, Ye Liuyun had run into him a few times.

Only, whenever this man saw him, he wore the same look of disdain.

"Target: Si Nan!

Level: Third-class Martial Artist!

Talent Entries: Reading Expressions (Green), Light Body (Blue),"

"Reading Expressions (Green): Extremely adept at reading faces and emotions."

"Light Body (Blue): Natural talent for Qinggong."

Yesterday after returning to the residence, Ye Liuyun discovered his system could see other people’s Talent Entries—he’d just checked Xing’Er’s, too.

Xing’Er also had Reading Expressions, but hers was Blue; Si Nan’s was Green quality.

"Is something wrong, Lord?"

Si Nan looked puzzled, seeing Ye Liuyun staring at him.

"Oh, nothing, just waiting for you, is all."

If you didn’t show up, I’d never know where my damn office is.

But hearing that, Si Nan just smiled knowingly, and when he saw no one was watching, leaned in quietly to Ye Liuyun’s ear.

"Impatient to get started, my lord?"

,,,"

Wait, don’t tell me you and my big brother had some kind of shady deal going.

"This way, my lord."

This is giving me a bad feeling. Oh well—follow. If it’s really what I think, I’ll cut him down and be done with it.

,,,

Ye Liuyun followed Si Nan to a study—this must be where Liu Feng had always worked.

Si Nan carefully closed the door, while Ye Liuyun rested his hand on his blade, eyes narrowed, ready to strike at any moment.

Luckily, things didn’t pan out the way he feared.

Si Nan pulled out a fat wad of silver notes from his coat and handed them over.

Just one look—it had to be hundreds of taels. On a Commander’s salary, it’d take decades to save up that kind of cash.

"Lord, your method is brilliant. The owner of that tavern in South City—only has one son. I nabbed the boy, and the old man paid up in a heartbeat!"

,,,"

Well damn, all that righteous posturing before me—turns out he’s rotten to the core.

Honestly, when I took over as Commander for big bro, I had half a mind to play the honest man—look where that got me.

Still, Ye Liuyun calmly pocketed the stack of silver notes.

,,,,,,