Chapter 112 - 12: What Is Mine, No One Can Take_2

The courtyard suddenly became much emptier.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards following Shi Chong had all left; as for those who couldn’t walk, they were dragged away, including the unconscious Shi Chong himself.

Perhaps they were worried Ye Liuyun would continue to make a move.

So everyone slipped away with remarkable speed.

You could tell at a glance this wasn’t their first time fleeing for their lives.

By comparison, Ye Liuyun’s followers all wore looks of undisguised pride. With their lord victorious, they naturally felt honored as well.

"Keep moving."

Such an event hardly affected Ye Liuyun’s mood. He simply waved a hand, signaling his people to continue raiding the house.

"Yes, sir!"

With Shi Chong gone, that’s one less captain to split the spoils with, after all.

Seeing everyone busily scurrying about again,

Ye Liuyun withdrew his gaze and looked at Ye Qinzhen still hiding behind him.

"Tha...thank you, sir, for saving my life."

Just a single glance from Ye Liuyun sent a shiver through Ye Qinzhen. She lowered her head and timidly gave her thanks in a soft voice.

If not for Ye Liuyun, she figured she’d have had only one way left to preserve her innocence.

"No need to thank me. Saving you wasn’t my intention—Shi Chong just happens to be an enemy of mine."

The reason he acted wasn’t purely for Ye Qinzhen’s sake; nothing worth being grateful for here.

"Whatever the reason, you did save my life, sir."

Ye Qinzhen wasn’t foolish. Even if Ye Liuyun hadn’t acted specifically to help her, his actions had tangible consequences.

Ye Liuyun merely waved it off, saying nothing more.

Ye Qinzhen looked as if she wanted to say something else several times over.

But seeing Ye Liuyun remain so indifferent, she let it go in the end.

Perhaps it was because of her current status, too; she was no longer the esteemed lady of the house.

As the thought crossed her mind, Ye Qinzhen’s gaze dimmed and she walked away quietly.

There was no way these dependents would be allowed to leave at will.

"Sir!"

Watching the girl as she left, Si Nan couldn’t help edging closer to Ye Liuyun’s ear.

"This Ye Qinzhen is really quite beautiful, sir. If you fancy her, I can arrange to have her sent to your estate?"

Honestly, such arrangements weren’t hard to make.

Even if someone ’accidentally’ died en route, everyone understood how these things went.

Ye Liuyun did not reply.

Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Ye Qinzhen’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

Only after a long while did he finally speak.

"No need."

If it’s just keeping a canary in the house for looks, he wouldn’t mind.

But Ye Qinzhen was no mere canary.

Even less a useless vase.

"Some people aren’t meant to be just a pretty face."

Even if Ye Qinzhen herself didn’t know of her own talent, Ye Liuyun didn’t mind playing the role of scout.

Besides, for Ye Liuyun, this was just something to be done in passing. Even if nothing remarkable came of it, he wouldn’t be disappointed.

"So that’s how it is!"

Si Nan looked suddenly enlightened.

Well, he didn’t understand his lord at all, but it didn’t feel right to say so.

Unable to resist, he glanced over at Shi Sheng.

"Hmm?"

Noticing the look, Shi Sheng furrowed his brows and said directly,

"Not my type!"

"Who cares what type you like,"

Si Nan rolled his eyes irritably—who asked you?

With Shi Chong out of the way, the raiding went extremely smoothly.

Watching chest after chest of gold and silver pile up in the yard, even Ye Liuyun had to sigh—these people really knew how to be greedy.

And this was just a Fifth Grade official. Imagine if someone higher up was doing it—the haul would surely be even greater.

Ye Qinzhen and the other dependents were escorted away as well.

In the crowd, Ye Qinzhen turned and looked in Ye Liuyun’s direction for quite a while before finally going along with the others.

...

"Mother, it’s all right!"

Among the dependents, walking at Ye Qinzhen’s side was a woman more mature in bearing, her looks somewhat reminiscent of Ye Qinzhen.

This was Ye Qinzhen’s mother.

Seeing the sorrow in her mother’s eyes, Ye Qinzhen spoke softly, trying to comfort her.

"Your daughter will protect you!"

"Zhen’Er!"

Hearing this, Ye Qinzhen’s mother couldn’t hold back any longer. She drew her daughter into her arms, tears streaming down her face.

They’d lived in comfort all their lives—who could have foreseen such a disaster befalling their family?

"Don’t worry, Zhen’Er—Mother will protect you."

Not wanting to add to her daughter’s worries, she wiped her tears away and looked at her daughter earnestly.

"Mm."

Ye Qinzhen didn’t try to explain anything more.

Soon after, the household dependents were taken to another place.

Of course, eventually they would be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau, but not right away—they had to receive some initial training.

The accommodations were nothing like before, of course,

but at least they each had their own room, and it was relatively quiet.

Through the window, Ye Qinzhen gazed at the moon outside for a while, her expression turning much more resolute.

In the moonlight, she quietly drew a booklet from her sleeve.

This was secretly given to Ye Qinzhen by Ye Liuyun during the day.

The gesture was so subtle that no one noticed a thing.

Even Ye Qinzhen herself only discovered it after feeling something extra hidden on her person.

’Illusion Heart Magic!’

Since he’d realized Ye Qinzhen had a talent for sorcery, it was only natural to give her a manual for it.

Ye Liuyun knew plenty of magic arts now, and Illusion Heart Magic wasn’t even among the most impressive of them. Still, as he said—he was merely giving Ye Qinzhen a head start. How far she could go from there...