Lady Luo sat across from Ye Xian, smiling as she spoke to him: “Young Master, Mother says autumn is coming. She wants to make you several autumn garments, but I don’t know what style you prefer and haven’t dared to begin… I fear if I make something you dislike, you won’t wear what I’ve made.”

Ye Xian leaned leisurely against the kang table, one hand picking pine nuts from a small bowl, eating them slowly as if he hadn’t heard Lady Luo’s words at all.

Lady Luo had her maid bring up a stack of rice paper: “I’ve drawn several patterns I’m skilled at. Would you please select one?”

Ye Xian suddenly put down his bowl.

Lady Luo’s face brightened with hope.

But he merely called out, “Zhi Shu,” and said: “These pine nuts are too dry. Bring me some tea!”

Lady Luo froze momentarily, then called out: “Young Master…”

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow and asked her: “What is it now? You told Mother you needed me to keep you company. I’ve come, aren’t you satisfied? Whatever you want to make, just make it. Why ask me? Can’t you decide for yourself?”

Lady Luo stammered, unable to speak. How could she match Ye Xian’s eloquence? After being coldly addressed, she felt heartbroken and wronged. Her eyes couldn’t help but redden, yet he remained completely unmoved… How could this man not know how to cherish a delicate woman?

“If I make something you don’t like, you won’t wear it. Wouldn’t that waste good fabric…”

When had he ever worn clothes she made?

Ye Xian said indifferently: “My Marquis of Changxing household doesn’t lack money for clothing material! If you want some, just go to the accounting office anytime!”

Zhi Shu brought the tea over. He accepted it and held it in his hand, drinking slowly.

Lady Luo uttered a soft “oh,” seeing him pick up a book again, she carefully spoke to him: “What book are you reading? It seems… different from the one you were reading yesterday.”

Ye Xian had truly been driven to the edge of his patience, even the best temperament would be provoked to anger. And he never had much patience to begin with.

He shot Lady Luo a cold glance: “If you say one more word, I’ll leave immediately, and you are not to cry to Mother tomorrow.”

Lady Luo, frightened by his gaze, finally dared not speak anymore and silently picked up her needlework from the basket beside her.

Li Xian Huai called for the Young Master from outside, saying he had matters to report.

Ye Xian put on his cloak and went out. Lady Luo watched him leave, eyes wide open. She wanted to ask if he would return tonight.

After considering, she still sighed.

Outside, the night was cold as water. The light from lanterns under the eaves scattered across the bluestone path. Guards stood throughout the courtyard—security was tight.

Li Xian Huai first said: “…Young Master, this afternoon Chen San personally signed the order to close the city gates. He claimed bandits had entered the capital, but he didn’t ask the Shuntian Prefecture office to help. He only sought assistance from Duke Zheng and the Military Affairs Department.”

Capturing thieves should be the responsibility of the Shuntian Prefecture office…

Chen Yan Yun was typically a very low-profile person; making such a grand gesture was unusual. What exactly was he doing?

“I don’t care to deal with him, we’ll speak of it tomorrow…” Ye Xian said lightly, “Someone else cares more than I do.”

Someone like Zhang Ju Lian.

Ye Xian felt somewhat tired; conversing with Lady Luo was an extremely draining affair. He covered his mouth and yawned, gesturing for Zhi Shu to follow him. He planned to return to his study to sleep.

“Young Master!”

Someone suddenly called from behind.

Ye Xian’s slender fingers held his cloak as he turned to look.

Another guard stood under the corridor, who quickly approached when Ye Xian turned, his face full of smiles: “I’ve been waiting for you for some time! My brother from Jiazhou is still waiting, hoping to meet you. If it’s convenient… why not go see him?”

“Your brother?” Ye Xian looked him up and down, recognizing him as Xie Yuan, one of his guards. These guards were all managed by Li Xian Huai; he didn’t directly command these men, nor was he particularly interested in them.

Li Xian Huai smiled: “Xie Yuan’s brother… must be no ordinary person. It would be good for you to take a look.”

Ye Xian didn’t want to go see and remained silent for a moment.

Xie Yuan explained in a low voice: “He brought someone, saying Young Master would be pleased upon seeing… My brother is quite the character! You could go see, and if you don’t like him, you can send him back to Jiazhou…”

Brought someone to see him?

Ye Xian smiled faintly: “It’s not easy to please me.”

Xie Yuan smiled: “Rest assured, I understand. My brother was famous in Jiazhou, able to catch wild boars barehanded at thirteen. It’s just that in recent years, he’s committed murder and robbery, so his background isn’t very clean.”

Ye Xian finally nodded reluctantly, letting Xie Yuan lead the way.

Xie Si Xing was outside the corridor room in the front courtyard, actually already impatient with waiting. He rarely received such cold treatment; in Jiazhou, he was feared by all. Seeing the guards escorting Ye Xian approach, he stood up and first examined him from a distance.

This person was nothing like the rumors described—merciless and vicious. He was quite handsome, with a face that seemed carved from jade, and delicate features, wearing a moon-white robe with a white jade pendant hanging at his waist. His demeanor was ethereal and transcendent. Only those calm, unfathomable eyes made him feel this person was completely inscrutable.

He rarely found people he couldn’t read.

Ye Xian, however, sensed the bloody aura around Xie Si Xing—he was particularly sensitive to such smells. This man had killed recently, either people or animals.

His appearance was ordinary, though his ethnic features were unmistakable, with a tall build and ambitious eyes.

Ye Xian liked ambitious people—only by knowing what others wanted could he control them. He also needed such decisive killers to work for him.

Ye Xian had someone bring two chairs over and invited Xie Si Xing to sit.

“You speak first. What leverage do you have for me to keep you?” Ye Xian’s tea lid brushed over the tea.

Xie Si Xing said: “To be honest, I’ve brought someone with me this time. You know how rough mountains and dangerous waters breed tough people… In martial skills, we’re no weaker than your guards. Moreover, you need people like us. When the current Emperor grows up and court forces become chaotic, it will be a time when heroes emerge from disorder. If you don’t have people who can act independently by your side, you might be at a disadvantage in the power struggle!”

This Young Master was exceptionally precious—even within the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion, the people guarding him never left his side. While he spoke, the Young Master didn’t respond at all, his expression showing not the slightest change.

He appeared completely unmoved, not even changing his posture.

Ye Xian smiled after listening: “Rough mountains and dangerous waters breed tough people?” It seemed like Lady Luo, this man hadn’t studied much either.

Anyone familiar with the current court situation could describe it. Ye Xian wasn’t surprised by Xie Si Xing’s words, and these people had criminal records—keeping them might cause him trouble.

Xie Si Xing knew that a few words wouldn’t persuade Ye Xian.

He stood up, clasped his hands, and smiled: “Talking is meaningless. This time, I’ve brought a great gift for Young Master. It’s right inside this corridor room.”

Ye Xian continued drinking his tea: “Xie Yuan said you brought someone. Man or woman?”

“A woman,” Xie Si Xing said softly.

Upon hearing it was a woman, Ye Xian became even less interested. He said dispassionately, “I won’t go look! Originally, keeping you all would have been possible… but if I’m not mistaken, I suspect it was you two who recently killed someone. I don’t like trouble. If the Shuntian Prefecture traces this back to me, I’ll have to deal with these people. For the sake of you being Xie Yuan’s brother, I’ll give you three hundred taels of silver for your journey. You may leave.”

Xie Si Xing frowned.

This Young Master was quite unpredictable. Weren’t women supposed to be more interesting?

He could only smile: “Young Master, please look first, then decide. This is quite an extraordinary woman! I encountered her on the road and had to kill to capture her. Her guards were all highly skilled in martial arts. If not for the medicine Old Miao gave me, I might not have been able to defeat them in direct combat…”

Xie Si Xing continued: “The person is in the corridor room. Once Young Master sees her, you’ll surely change your mind.”

Ye Xian remained silent for a while before smiling: “If you can make me change my mind, you may stay.”

He pushed open the door and entered.

It would only take a moment; he wanted to see what Xie Si Xing was really up to.

The corridor room was full of unused items. A square eight-immortals table was already dusty, and behind a brown curtain was a long table with a white porcelain vase. Several chairs were stacked nearby. He indeed saw a figure with its back to him, legs curled up on a chair.

“What, too afraid to turn around?” Ye Xian asked indifferently.

He didn’t immediately look at the woman, but slowly walked to the long table and reached for the white porcelain plum vase.

“Don’t be afraid of me. I hear you were kidnapped by Xie Si Xing. Which family do you belong to?”

Still no response from the woman.

Ye Xian put down the vase, his tone still flat: “If you won’t speak, so be it. Having fallen into Xie Si Xing’s hands, you probably have little chance of survival. I see you wear a married woman’s hairstyle, so you must be married! To preserve your honor, biting your tongue to commit suicide would be best.”

He finished speaking and prepared to leave.

“Young Master, don’t you recognize me?”

A familiar voice sounded from behind.

Gu Jin Chao couldn’t help but smile bitterly, saying softly: “Now that I can’t escape, for the sake of our past relationship…” Gu Jin Chao paused; she didn’t like asking for help. “If you can, would you deliver a message for me?”

Though she and Ye Xian were nominally related, they were quite distant. For some reason, Gu Jin Chao had a feeling Ye Xian might not save her. She still hadn’t turned around, yet she didn’t hear the door opening either.

Ye Xian was stunned.

When he recovered, he immediately turned and walked to Gu Jin Chao’s side, lifting her face with his hand.

It was Gu Jin Chao!

“You…” Ye Xian paused, then said, “How did you fall into their hands? Where is Chen San? You married him, and this is how he protects you?” Without waiting for Gu Jin Chao to answer, his face darkened. “Those people… have they harmed you?”