Lian Zhou: "..."

If it had been anyone else, that would be one thing. But he had personally accompanied his master to Jiangling.

’Ye Chutang can’t stand the sight of blood? Then were all those things that happened back then just his imagination?’

Lian Zhou held his tongue, forcing the words back down his throat with great difficulty.

’Fine, fine. If his master said she couldn’t stand it, then she couldn’t stand it!’

The thought of his master—a man who couldn’t even be bothered to lift a finger when enemies were at their door—now acting as Second Miss Ye’s enforcer left Lian Zhou with very complicated feelings.

And judging by his master’s expression, he had clearly done so willingly.

This only made Lian Zhou’s feelings more complicated.

He could only change the subject. "You mean Second Miss Ye went alone this time?"

Shen Yanchuan nodded.

A jolt went through Lian Zhou, and his respect for Ye Chutang grew.

’From Qingzhou to Shiluan City... it’s a long way, yet she raced here all by herself!’

Such courage and daring were truly beyond that of any ordinary person.

Lian Zhou didn’t ask why Ye Chutang had come. He only recalled Shen Yanchuan’s earlier command and replied in a low voice, "Rest assured, sir. I will have the men intensify their training. It won’t happen a second time!"

Hearing this, Shen Yanchuan simply raised an eyebrow.

He recalled the previous night at the mining site. Ye Chutang had shadowed him from start to finish, never falling even half a step behind. Her movements were agile, her actions deliberate. He gave a soft chuckle.

"It might not be that easy."

’Even he had greatly underestimated her, so what chance did others have?’

Lian Zhou froze. ’What on earth happened in Shiluan City for his master to have such a drastic change of heart about Second Miss Ye?’

’Did his master’s words imply that she was hiding her true abilities so well?’

Shen Yanchuan lifted his gaze to the path ahead, the faint smile at the corners of his eyes slowly fading.

"To Changzhou."

...

「Qingzhou.」

The sky was just beginning to show the first pale light of dawn when Ye Jingyan awoke.

He quickly got ready and pushed open his door. But as he passed Ye Yunfeng’s room next door, he suddenly paused.

Ye Jingyan stared at the closed door and knocked. "A Feng?"

There was no answer.

’Did he... sneak out again last night?’

Ye Jingyan didn’t look surprised. He turned and walked toward another room.

He pushed the door open, rounded the screen, and saw the Little Milk Group was already awake, sitting up and hugging her blanket in a daze.

A soft lock of her hair stuck up, and her chubby little face wore a dazed expression, as if she wasn’t fully awake yet.

"Xiao Wu?"

Ye Jingyan walked over and ruffled her little head.

"Why are you up so early again?"

Xiao Wu looked up at him and pouted.

’With Sis gone, I can’t sleep well!’

Ye Jingyan picked up a goose-yellow padded dress from nearby and helped her get dressed. He then led her over to wash up, wringing out a cloth to wipe her face as he said, "Your sister should be back soon."

’Whenever their sister left, she always returned on time. She had never once broken her word.’

Xiao Wu finally relaxed and gave him a radiant smile.

’When Sis gets back, we can probably return to the Capital City, right?’

Ye Jingyan gently tapped her nose. "Thinking about eating at Lan Yue Building already?"

Caught out, Xiao Wu didn’t seem embarrassed at all. She stuck out her tongue and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

Seeing her like this, Ye Jingyan laughed too.

"Don’t worry. Once we’re back, you’ll have more than your fill."

Just then, a sound suddenly came from the courtyard.

Ye Jingyan seemed to sense something and looked back. Upon seeing the familiar figure step into the courtyard, he immediately shot to his feet, unable to hide his delight.

"Sis!"