Chapter 32: The Rake Who Left a Letter in Advance

"Sir!"

At this moment, Si Nan and Shi Sheng, who were also on horseback, came over as well.

"Let’s move out!"

With a wave of his hand, everyone spurred their horses and hurried out of the city.

After being promoted to a Centurion, the number of cases to handle increased too.

This time, the location was still outside the Imperial City, so it was likely they wouldn’t make it back even by nightfall.

...

"He really said that?"

Inside the Imperial Music Bureau, Yan Shuzhu, who had been waiting, listened to Lv Lan’s report and couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow.

"Young master, you..."

Worried that Yan Shuzhu would get upset because of this, Lv Lan was just about to offer some persuasion.

Who would have expected Yan Shuzhu to suddenly slap the table in front of him excitedly, and call out a loud "Well done!"

"I always thought the Embroidered Uniform Guard was full of nothing but useless good-for-nothings, never imagined such talent remained among them."

Even though it was only a secondhand account from Lv Lan, Yan Shuzhu couldn’t suppress a certain hot-blooded enthusiasm.

This is precisely the talent I need—upright and unyielding, that’s exactly what I want.

Just as Ye Liuyun had thought.

His attitude didn’t just fail to offend Yan Shuzhu; on the contrary, he was deeply impressed.

"Lv Lan!"

"At your service, sir!"

Lv Lan, who had still been a bit dazed, quickly responded when Yan Shuzhu called out to her.

"It’s fine if we can’t invite him this time. Just keep an eye on Ye Liufeng’s schedule. We can always invite him again next time."

If he really is talented, then so what if our face gets brushed off a few times? It’s worth inviting him again and again.

My master is the Son of Heaven. Even if it feels a bit awkward, considering Ye Liuyun doesn’t know my master’s identity, and seeing his upright attitude at the time...

Lv Lan hesitated for a moment, then answered seriously.

"Understood!"

It was obvious.

Even though Ye Liuyun couldn’t be invited tonight, Yan Shuzhu’s mood remained excellent.

There was not a trace of displeasure at all.

...

On Ye Liuyun’s side, it was late in the afternoon by the time they arrived at their destination.

This case was set in a small town not far from the Imperial City; the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s jurisdiction spanned the entire realm of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Basically, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had the authority to get involved in any case within the Dynasty.

"Honored sirs, please come inside!"

As soon as they arrived, someone came out in haste to greet them.

This was not a complicated case. Landlord Wang had received a letter from a notorious flower thief in advance, which was why he sought the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s help.

Ye Liuyun first had someone look after the horses, then led the rest of his group into Landlord Wang’s estate.

The mansion was quite sizable and reeked of wealth. Just the courtyard alone was even more spacious than Ye Liuyun’s own home.

But after all, it was still only a small town far from the Imperial City.

"Honored sirs, you must be tired after such a long journey. Why not rest your feet first? I’ve already had food and wine prepared. Please enjoy yourselves, and we can discuss business afterward?"

Landlord Wang truly deserved his reputation as a businessman.

He knew exactly how to deal with officials, and handled everything with smooth ease.

"Since this is Landlord Wang’s hospitality, we won’t stand on ceremony!"

Ye Liuyun was not someone who enjoyed making himself suffer. Since everything had been arranged, why bother refusing?

"Please, honored sirs, come in!"

Not standing on ceremony was exactly what Landlord Wang wanted; his face lit up with delight and he hurriedly ushered Ye Liuyun and party into the residence.

...

During the meal, Landlord Wang kept ordering the maids to pour more wine.

Taking the opportunity, Ye Liuyun had Landlord Wang bring over the letter left by the flower thief.

’I have heard that Landlord Wang’s new concubine is stunningly beautiful. I simply cannot restrain my admiration and intend to sample her charms at midnight tonight. I hope Landlord Wang will graciously permit this.’

A signature was even left at the end: Hua Wenxuan!

There weren’t many words, but Ye Liuyun nearly burst out laughing when he read it.

This flower thief was actually quite polite—even gave notice before making a move.

Ye Liuyun casually passed the letter to Si Nan.

"Ever heard of this Hua Wenxuan?"

"Hua Wenxuan?" Si Nan thought for a moment, then responded right away as she remembered.

"I’ve heard the name. He’s a notorious flower thief in the Jianghu. His Cultivation Realm is only second-class, but his qinggong is first-rate—he comes and goes like a shadow, and few can hope to catch him."

Well, makes sense.

To be a flower thief, if your qinggong wasn’t good, you’d have been hacked to death ages ago.

"I’m grateful to you, sir!"

While Ye Liuyun was thinking, Landlord Wang spoke up at once.

"I’m just past sixty—a young man in my prime! I thought taking a young concubine might add to my family line, but who could have guessed such a scoundrel would set his sights on me? Sir, you must help me catch this thief!"

Just past sixty, in the prime of life?

Now that’s a rare choice of words.

Still, when he saw Landlord Wang quietly slip a fat stack of silver notes from his sleeve, Ye Liuyun immediately replied in a solemn tone.

"There’s nothing I detest more in this world than flower thieves—learning martial arts just to torment women, it’s a disgrace to all martial artists under heaven. Rest assured, Landlord Wang, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard present, as long as this thief enters your home, we’ll have him in custody before he takes a single step!"

"Good! Very good!"

Hearing this, Landlord Wang nodded gratefully.

To be honest, in this era, a concubine’s status was very low—maybe just a notch above a maid. Some even liked giving their concubines away as gifts.

The only reason he put on such a serious act wasn’t because he loved his concubine so much—it was all about face.

If word got out that his newly-wedded concubine was taken by a flower thief, how could he ever show his face around here again?

...

That night, before it was fully dark, Ye Liuyun had people snoop around for more information.

Once darkness fell,

he had over a dozen Embroidered Uniform Guards posted around the concubine’s courtyard, plugging every gap.

As for Ye Liuyun himself, he brought Si Nan and Shi Sheng to another courtyard.

"Sir, I still don’t get it. Isn’t the flower thief, Hua Wenxuan, after Landlord Wang’s concubine? Why are we setting up in his daughter’s courtyard instead?"

This was Landlord Wang’s daughter’s courtyard.

Though none of them had seen her, according to the Embroidered Uniform Guards who had asked around town,

Landlord Wang’s youngest daughter was a true beauty, famed far and wide for her looks.

Seeing Shi Sheng’s confused look, Ye Liuyun shook his head and said,

"Based on what we’ve heard, Hua Wenxuan only leaves a letter ahead of time in very few cases. Most of the time, he moves in secret—wouldn’t want to get caught."

Flower thief isn’t a good reputation to begin with.

If you send a letter warning your victims beforehand, unless you’re an idiot, you wouldn’t do that.

"All those who received a letter weren’t able to put up a fight—is that clear now?"

...