Seeing the increasingly grim expression on Old Master Xia’s face, Ye Chuan couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Both of these old men were not to be trifled with. It was best not to offend either of them.

After some thought, he pulled the white-bearded elder aside, away from Old Master Xia, and whispered.

“Sir, perhaps… it would be best not to trouble him. After all, Old Master Xia has already paid…” Ye Chuan forced a smile.

Li Xuanwu’s eyes widened, “What do you mean by that? His money is money, but mine isn’t?”

Ye Chuan was speechless. He turned and glanced at Old Master Xia, who was now giving him a stern look.

This was troublesome.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ye Chuan came up with an idea and lowered his voice, smiling at Li Xuanwu, “Sir, how about this: I’ll accept your thousand taels of gold, but instead of selling you a poem, I’ll sell you a plan. What do you think?”

“A plan? What kind of plan?” Li Xuanwu raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

“May I dare to ask, sir, do you and Old Master Xia have some past grievances?” Ye Chuan asked cautiously.

Li Xuanwu paused, his face growing complicated as he nodded. “I suppose so.”

“That’s good,” Ye Chuan grinned mischievously, “Do you remember the poem I just recited?”

“I do.”

“Well, when Old Master Xia buys it from you and shows it off next time, you could… ahem, well, I don’t need to explain further, do I?”

Li Xuanwu’s eyes widened in shock as the realization dawned on him. “You sly little brat, you’re sneaky!”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Ye Chuan laughed shamelessly, “A thousand taels, sir, consider it a bargain!”

After a brief moment of silence, Li Xuanwu clenched his teeth. “Wait for it!”

He then turned and left quickly, likely to retrieve the money.

The old man’s steps lightened, excitement evident in his gait.

This little rascal’s family was likely involved in business.

They say there’s no merchant without trickery, and this clever boy—he was a master at it. A single poem, two clients, and two payments. That was a meal ticket.

But… never mind. Thinking of the opportunity to one-up the emperor, Li Xuanwu couldn’t help but feel that the thousand taels were well spent.

“Young man, what were you two discussing?”

Old Master Xia wasn’t a fool. Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, he asked.

Ye Chuan turned to face him with a broad grin. “Nothing much. I was just advising him not to argue with you. The poem is yours, Old Master, a thousand taels of gold, as agreed!”

Old Master Xia gave him a puzzled look, then glanced at Li Xuanwu’s retreating figure. Though his curiosity was piqued, he handed over the silver note.

Ye Chuan deftly pocketed it, bowing with a grin. “Thank you for your patronage, Old Master!”

At that moment, Li Xuanwu hurried back, his back turned to Old Master Xia. He secretly slipped the silver note into Ye Chuan’s pocket, whispering, “Kid, you’ve taken too much, don’t push your luck.”

“It’s fine. I prefer daughters anyway,” Ye Chuan replied with an unconcerned laugh.

Li Xuanwu rolled his eyes.

To be so shameless—it was almost impressive.

“Well, gentlemen, our business is concluded. I must take my leave,” Ye Chuan bowed politely.

With the money in hand, it was time to make his exit.

Otherwise, if the two old men ended up fighting, and Old Master Xia found out it was his idea, he would surely be in for a beating.

He noticed the bodyguard standing behind Old Master Xia, armed with a blade. Definitely not someone to mess with.

Hearing the words, Old Master Xia appeared slightly regretful. “I have enjoyed our conversation, young man. May I ask your name, so we can meet again in the future?”

Ye Chuan, always one to keep a low profile, smiled faintly. “We are all travelers in this world, no need to know each other too well. Farewell, Old Master. Take care!”

He turned gracefully and left, a touch of carefree charm in his stride.

Old Master Xia and Li Xuanwu were left staring after him for a moment.

“‘We are all travelers in this world, no need to know each other too well’… How profound!” Old Master Xia exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Earlier, he had been somewhat doubtful. How could someone so young possess such talent? But after hearing that casual phrase, he had no doubt—true heroes emerge in youth.

After a moment of reflection, Old Master Xia signaled his bodyguard, Lin Zhao, with a glance.

Lin Zhao immediately understood and followed.

“Your Majesty, have you come to seek justice from this old man today?”

Li Xuanwu sat opposite Old Master Xia, his expression serious.

“Faking illness to deceive the emperor, gathering crowds to cause trouble—shouldn’t those be punishable by death?” Old Master Xia’s tone was cold, his words heavy.

Li Xuanwu sneered. “Does the emperor think I’m afraid of death?”

“Hmph!”

Old Master Xia was well aware of Li Xuanwu’s stubborn nature. After decades of rivalry, he couldn’t be bothered to argue any further. Besides, the unexpected windfall of the poem had put him in a good mood.

“Tomorrow, at the morning court, if I don’t see you there, I’ll have you answer for all your crimes!”

Standing up slowly, Old Master Xia’s imposing presence grew stronger. “And as for that poem, if you leak a single word, it won’t be just your head on the line.”

Li Xuanwu furrowed his brow. “What does Your Majesty intend?”

“Do I need to explain myself to you?” Old Master Xia’s voice dripped with authority.

Li Xuanwu rolled his eyes, silently cursing. He wasn’t afraid of the emperor’s threats, but he knew the game at play here—Old Master Xia wanted to show off his newly acquired treasure at court the next day.

“Fine, Your Majesty. Do as you will. But we’ll see who’s still standing when all is said and done.”

As Ye Chuan left the old general’s mansion, he felt pleased with himself, yet there was a tinge of nervousness as well.

With two thousand taels of gold safely in his pocket, he couldn’t help but glance around the bustling street, eyeing everyone like a potential thief.

Better to find a reputable money exchange and stash the silver note there. Then, he’d find a place to rest.

Returning home wasn’t an option—he wasn’t quite ready to face the house just yet.

As he walked along the street, his thoughts were interrupted by someone pulling at his sleeve. He turned around and saw a timid voice calling out, “Third… Third Young Master…”

Ye Chuan froze, stunned.

A thin girl, probably sixteen or seventeen years old, stood there in a patchwork cotton dress, her face pale with obvious signs of malnutrition.

“Are you calling me?” Ye Chuan asked, confused.

“Third Young Master, don’t you remember me?” The girl stepped forward, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. “I’m Ying’er…”

Ye Chuan blinked, and suddenly, memories from his previous life flooded his mind.

Ying’er, an orphan taken in by his mother, had been close to him when they were young. But after his mother, Chen Shi, passed away, the power in the household shifted to Zhao Shi and her two sons. Ying’er was treated cruelly, reduced to a servant and subjected to harsh labor, never seen by Ye Chuan again.

In his past life, Ye Chuan had been too focused on his own survival to care for Ying’er.

“Ying’er? Is it really you?” Ye Chuan’s face softened with surprise, but then he narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Third Young Master, I heard… I heard you ran away from home, so I sneaked out to follow you…” Ying’er spoke nervously, her head lowered in shame. “You know, the Second Madam and the two young masters don’t like me. With you gone, I… I had nowhere to go. I really… I really can’t survive there anymore…”

Her words left Ye Chuan speechless, and he looked at her with a complex expression.

Ying’er’s life had been difficult—there was no doubt about that. But…

Ye Chuan gazed at her for a moment, then sighed softly. “Ying’er, for my mother’s sake, I’ll give you a chance.”

“I see,” Ye Chuan said with a warm smile, “That’s great! It’s been so long, you’ve suffered a lot. Come with me, I’ll take you out for a good meal!”

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