This is what life really is.
Watching Xing'Er in front of him, her pretty face slightly flushed but still forcing herself to focus on her work, Ye Liuyun let out a quiet sigh in his heart.
Everyone despises capital, but everyone longs to become capital.
It was very late when Xing'Er finally returned to Sheng Lanzhi's side.
"Have you been spending a bit too much time by his side lately?"
Seeing Xing'Er return, Sheng Lanzhi, who was sitting in the courtyard admiring the moon, looked over with a trace of doubt in her eyes.
Previously, affairs around 'Ye Liufeng' were also handled by Xing'Er, but she would always return quickly. Unlike now, she's been spending more and more time at his side.
"Replying to Madam."
Xing'Er responded softly.
"Master has been focused on martial arts lately, so there's a lot more to handle. That's why I've taken on more duties. If Madam wishes, I can arrange for someone else to wait upon Master."
As she spoke, Xing'Er's expression stayed calm, revealing nothing out of the ordinary.
"..."
Sheng Lanzhi didn't reply but simply stared at Xing'Er for a while.
After all, Xing'Er was a maid raised at Sheng Lanzhi's side since childhood, so Sheng Lanzhi still trusted her.
"No need."
After a long moment, she finally shook her head.
"I'm more at ease when you handle things."
Of course, mainly Sheng Lanzhi didn't have much to do now. She rarely left the house and spent her days reading in the study. Having a maid to serve tea was enough for her daily needs.
Thinking that Ye Liuyun could focus and seriously train in martial arts, Sheng Lanzhi felt rather satisfied.
"Besides, as my personal maid, you married over with me. In name, you belong to me, but you're also considered his concubine. It's nothing out of the ordinary to serve by his side."
The other maids and servants of Ye Liuyun's residence were all purchased by Sheng Lanzhi after she married in.
Xing'Er was the only one brought from her original home.
Though referred to as a personal maid, in this era, Xing'Er was in fact a bedchamber maid, no different from a concubine.
It's just that the former Ye Liufeng hadn't touched Sheng Lanzhi, and hadn't touched Xing'Er either.
Still the same pride and self-importance, always feeling he'd make a name for himself and make everyone in the residence acknowledge him and bow their heads.
"I've always belonged to Madam, and always will."
Hearing herself called Ye Liuyun's concubine, Xing'Er felt a pang in her heart, but outwardly she still responded diligently.
"Enough, get up."
Sheng Lanzhi didn't mind, merely waved her hand, indicating Xing'Er could rise.
...
The following days.
Ye Liuyun's routine remained unchanged: Embroidered Uniform Guard, home, back and forth—nothing really changed after he was promoted to a hundred-household, except for more sycophants around him.
As for cultivation progress—
After reaching the Postnatal Martial Artist stage, his training speed slowed down.
Unless some great opportunity appeared, stepping into the Innate realm would take time.
But Ye Liuyun wasn't in a rush.
When it comes to training, haste makes waste; the more anxious you are, the easier it is for mishaps to occur.
This day—
Ye Liuyun was browsing through case files.
"Sir! Sir!"
Si Nan's hurried voice came from outside—it sounded like something had happened.
Ye Liuyun casually set aside the unfinished dossier.
There were many cases to be learned from in these files—reading them broadened his knowledge.
In the next moment, Si Nan came rushing in.
"Sir, something happened with Shi Sheng!"
He was not surprised at all. In fact, Ye Liuyun would have found it strange if so many days had passed without any trouble at all.
"Where is he?"
"Over on East Street. It's serious this time—the person caught has a palace token."
A palace token meant someone from the royal palace. Their status could be minor or momentous.
Ye Liuyun thought for a moment, then stood up.
"Let's go. We'll have a look!"
"Yes, sir!"
Si Nan quickly followed at Ye Liuyun's side to lead the way.
He explained the situation to Ye Liuyun along the way.
In short, Shi Sheng encountered a young lord in fancy dress on patrol. The man ate without paying, and Shi Sheng wanted to arrest him. Unexpectedly, the man flashed a palace token.
But Shi Sheng was stubborn—no matter who you were, if you ate, you paid, or you'd be dragged to the Embroidered Uniform Guard cell for a while.
So now it's a total standoff.
...
"I don't care what token you have—if you've eaten, you need to pay!"
On East Street, Shi Sheng stood with his neck stiff, clearly unfazed by the token.
The young lord he blocked was clearly troubled.
In the palace, everything was handed to him—he'd never even thought about money. This was his first time outside and he'd forgotten to bring any.
"How about this: I'll bring the money tomorrow—will that do?"
With his status, he wasn't lacking a few taels of silver.
At least this one talked sense, not like those other arrogant noble brats.
"Heh!"
After so many years as an Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shi Sheng had seen all sorts of troublemakers.
He'd seen this before: they say they'll pay later, and once they're gone, you never see them again.
"Fine. After you get released from the Embroidered Uniform Guard tomorrow, you can go back and get your money."
With that, Shi Sheng moved to arrest him.
"Come with me to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for questioning."
This scene caused the female bodyguard nearby to look coldly at Shi Sheng and strike with her palm.
"How dare you!"
"Bang!"
Before he could react, Shi Sheng's vision blurred and, in the next instant, he was sent flying through the air.
The young lord frowned at this.
"You Majes—Young Master, rest assured! I didn't go for the kill!"
The guard immediately explained.
Meanwhile—
Ye Liuyun, just arriving, saw Shi Sheng being sent flying out of the crowd.
"Hmm?"
Shi Sheng had only recently broken into the First-class level. Someone able to send him flying like that must at least be Postnatal level.
Ye Liuyun drew a circle with one hand and circulated his Inner Strength to neutralize the force on Shi Sheng, letting him land safely.
The female bodyguard, originally explaining to her master, now shot Ye Liuyun a look as well.
"Postnatal Martial Artist?"
She'd obviously noticed Ye Liuyun's strength.
Catching the falling Shi Sheng with one hand, Ye Liuyun also took a look at the bodyguard.
She was quite pretty.
"Target: Lv Lan!
Cultivation: Mid-stage Innate!
Talent Entries: Extreme Yin Body (Purple), Swordsmanship Talent (Purple), Sharp Ears and Keen Eyes (Blue),"
"Extreme Yin Body (Purple): Born with a cold constitution, perception far surpasses the average person."
"Sharp Ears and Keen Eyes (Blue): Possesses much sharper observational and hearing abilities than ordinary people."
Two purple, one blue? This is the first time I've come across someone like this.
...