“Lin Zhao, stay behind and assist the old general.”

Lin Zhao quickly acknowledged the order, instructing the Imperial Guards outside to escort His Majesty back to the palace.

After the Emperor left, Lin Zhao turned to the old general with a wry smile. “Old General, what should we do now?”

Though not particularly skilled in national affairs or political maneuvering, as a fourth-ranked Imperial Guard with a sword, Lin Zhao was adept at understanding people.

He had already noticed that while Ye Chuan was talented, his true nature was that of a crafty person who would only act if there was something in it for him.

There was no way he would participate in the imperial examination without being forced.

However, Lin Zhao also realized that the young man was going to be the future Prince Consort, and offending him too harshly could lead to trouble down the road.

Li Xuanwu furrowed his brows, thinking for a moment before dismissing it with a casual wave of his hand. “Well… you can go talk to him first, explain the Emperor’s intentions, and if that doesn’t work, bring him to the General’s residence.”

With that, the old man stood up, giving Lin Zhao an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “Do your best! I have a turtle at home that’s about to give birth, I’ll leave first.”

Watching Li Xuanwu leave, Lin Zhao was left bewildered.

So… this task had just been casually thrown onto his plate?!

In the grand hall, Ye Chuan watched as “Summer Young Master” stormed off in anger, feeling rather puzzled.

“What a lunatic…” he muttered, rolling his eyes. He was about to hold Ying’er’s hand and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. After all, after all the commotion, his stomach was still empty.

“Brother!”

Just then, Li Wuling, who had finally managed to escape the crowd of admirers, walked over with excitement and gratitude in his eyes.

“Thank you so much for your help today!”

“I owe you a great debt of gratitude. I’ll repay you later!”

Ye Chuan glanced at him, then extended his hand. “Don’t talk about ‘repaying’ me later. Let’s settle it now.”

Li Wuling blinked, quickly reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small pouch of silver.

“All the proceeds from selling the books, all of it is yours! Hehe…”

Ye Chuan didn’t hesitate, taking the pouch and handing it directly to Ying’er.

It wasn’t much, and honestly, he wasn’t too interested in it.

After all, yesterday he’d made a fortune of two thousand taels of gold. Today’s earnings were far less impressive.

“Brother Ye, this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go and have a drink. I’ll set up a table for you. Will you honor me with your presence?”

Li Wuling grinned in a way that seemed to flatter Ye Chuan.

He was certainly eager to stay on Ye Chuan’s good side after witnessing how effortlessly the young man had secured both fame and fortune today.

Plus, it was said that the Emperor had praised his poem earlier.

Anyone who had Ye Chuan’s favor would surely prosper.

“First, tell me, how do you know me?” Ye Chuan asked, cautious.

“Hehe, don’t hide anything from you, Brother Ye,” Li Wuling scratched his head awkwardly. “Yesterday, you and my grandfather met at the General’s residence. I was watching from the side…”

Ye Chuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

So that old man with the white beard yesterday was General Li Wuling himself.

Though he had suspected as much, it wasn’t a huge surprise now.

“Then, who was the other old man with him?” Ye Chuan pressed further.

Anyone who could exchange barbs with Li Xuanwu had to be someone of great stature.

“This…”

Li Wuling looked uncomfortable.

The Emperor’s identity was something that, unless spoken of by the man himself, no one dared reveal.

Just then, a voice interrupted, saving Li Wuling from further explaining.

“Oh, isn’t this my third brother!”

“I’ve been looking for you!”

Ye Chuan furrowed his brow and turned around to see Ye Cheng’s unpleasant face.

Ye Cheng, accompanied by two bodyguards, walked up boldly.

Ying’er instinctively trembled, shrinking back.

Li Wuling sized up the scene and quietly stood by Ye Chuan, deciding to wait and see.

Ye Chuan’s eyes grew cold. “What’s the matter?”

Ye Cheng sneered, “Father told me to bring you a message. You must return to the manor immediately and don’t dawdle!”

“Idiot,” Ye Chuan rolled his eyes in disdain, dismissing Ye Cheng with a sneer. He grabbed Ying’er’s hand and turned to leave.

He didn’t care about the reason his father, Ye Zhenghuai, wanted him back.

He could guess it was probably because his attempt to impersonate the Prince Consort had failed.

Ye Chuan silently regretted it.

If it had been exposed in front of the Emperor, the Ye family would probably be facing severe consequences by now.

“Stop right there!”

Ye Cheng’s voice rang out forcefully, “Unfilial son, how dare you disobey Father’s orders?”

Ye Chuan couldn’t help but laugh. “I’d even dare to beat you into a grandson in front of him.”

“Lost your memory?”

“You!”

Ye Cheng’s anger flared, his face flushing red. But after a moment, his anger subsided, replaced by a smug grin.

He pulled out a thick stack of silver bills, waving them around with an air of triumph.

“Ah, third brother, I wasn’t trying to meddle in your business.”

“You’re out here all alone, probably don’t even know where your next meal’s coming from. I’m just worried you might not survive, so I brought you some silver!”

Seeing the pile of silver bills, Ye Chuan’s pupils contracted.

Behind him, Ying’er let out a terrified gasp.

The silver bills were no ordinary currency. They were marked with the distinctive seal of the imperial court.

They were the same bills Ye Chuan had earned yesterday, equivalent to two thousand taels of gold.

He had tucked them into his bag when he checked into the inn last night, so they should have been in his room by now.

“Master, it’s not me!”

Ying’er’s first instinct was panic. She hurriedly explained, tears welling in her eyes. “I went to the front hall to get the food, I didn’t touch the bag!”

“It’s my fault, I wasn’t careful enough!”

“But I swear, I would never betray you!”

Seeing her distress, Ye Chuan smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I believe you. It’s not your fault.”

“Master…”

Ying’er sighed in relief, her eyes brimming with gratitude.

At that moment, Li Wuling finally pieced it together.

This brat had stolen my older brother’s money!

Not only that, but it was money given to my brother by my grandfather!

This is like stepping on a high stool in a pigsty, asking for trouble!

Ye Chuan’s gaze turned cold. “So the illustrious son of Ye Shilang has learned to steal other people’s wealth now, using such despicable methods.”

“Steal? Who did I steal from?”

“Who saw it?”

“Where’s the proof?”

Ye Cheng sneered, shaking his head arrogantly. He flaunted the silver bills, making a clattering sound.

He had already been to the Scholar’s Tower, and upon seeing Ye Chuan and Li Wuling appear to be on bad terms with the official’s son, he had struck upon an idea.

He casually asked the innkeeper about Ye Chuan’s room, then snuck in to search.

Originally, he thought it was just a long shot, but to his surprise, he struck gold.

Two thousand taels of gold’s worth of silver bills!

Not only would this cover his gambling debts, but it would allow him to live a carefree life for years to come!

And most importantly, he could flaunt it in front of Ye Chuan.

“I took it, and what are you going to do about it?”

The satisfaction he felt from doing this was indescribable.

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