As for him entering the city later, even if he is recognized, it doesn’t matter.

Once back in the city, things are much simpler; can the people of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion truly have spies everywhere watching just him?

So, he can quietly return home, and even beat Mr. Xie to it.

...

A day and half’s rest from consultations, resumed in the afternoon.

To make up for the lost income from the pause in consultations, ten additional slots were added in the afternoon.

Forty patients, it took until nightfall to finish. Luckily, there weren’t any overly difficult cases; otherwise, forty patients couldn’t have been handled in one afternoon.

Si Miaoxue has still not returned, it’s already been five days. Lin Miao is a bit worried; could something have happened to this woman?

Logically, going to check Longchuan Canyon should take three days round trip. Why hasn’t she returned after five days?

The floating wealth taken from the Huang Family also needs Si Miaoxue to manage. Upon rough calculation, it’s several tens of thousands of silver.

This sum has significantly alleviated his dire financial situation, though Si Miaoxue’s money can temporarily be borrowed, it belongs to her.

A man should not be dipping into his own woman’s savings, right?

This is just for building a house; there will be decoration later. It’s estimated that he’ll need to spend at least tens of thousands altogether. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The money should be spent; this is the first home he’s giving his senior sister, so naturally he should not be stingy. Using the best where possible.

...

In the afternoon, people from the Green Blade Sect also returned to the city. They were on foot, carrying the "broken-handed and broken-legged" Ye Mi Yuan into Dongshan City.

Utterly crestfallen and dejected.

Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion, front courtyard.

When Ye Shengyuan was called over and saw Ye Mi Yuan lying on the stretcher, with arms and legs limp, his scalp went numb.

"What, what on earth happened to you?" Ye Shengyuan asked with concern, "Miyuan, how are you?"

"Patriarch, we were ambushed, the Huang Family members were all killed, my hands and feet were broken, woo woo..." Ye Mi Yuan began to sob.

"Patriarch Ye, I apologize, we failed to protect Mr. Ye. At that time, the situation was that we were deceived by a diversionary tactic..." Du Heng and others lowered their heads in shame and explained.

"How many were they?"

"Just one..."

"What, just one?" Ye Shengyuan was shocked, goosebumps forming. Just one person toying with them all, killing so many, and smoothly rescuing and leaving.

This indicates either they are fools, or completely useless.

"Who was it?"

"Patriarch Ye, according to Mr. Ye, the opponent was masked, utterly obscured their face. They weren’t very tall and had a slim build, but never uttered a word, so it was unclear if they were male or female." Du Heng said on behalf of Ye Mi Yuan, who was too weak to speak.

Two possible scenarios: firstly, the opponent intentionally concealed their speech to not reveal an accent and be recognized; secondly, they simply couldn’t be bothered to talk.

Regardless of the case, no clues were left, leaving them completely unsure of where to start the search.

"What about the Huang Family?"

"All dead..."

"Not a single one left?"

"Not a single one..." Du Heng nodded, "The stable caught fire at the time, we went to put it out, so we didn’t encounter them."

Ye Shengyuan frowned, thinking about the mysterious expert who saved someone and slaughtered the Huang Family, but broke Ye Mi Yuan’s limbs.

The people of the Green Blade Sect were spared, and there was one detail—gold and silver valuables were looted from the Huang Family, along with a pot and some ingredients...

"Bro, do you think the expert you encountered could be the same one we ran into with the young master?" Du Ziyu suddenly interjected.

This isn’t out of the question.

Moreover, the last time, they knocked Ye Mi Yuan unconscious and left him on site. This time, instead of knocking him out, they broke his limbs, which could be seen as an act of humiliation.

Ye Mi Yuan indeed fainted from the shock and pain.

"Didn’t you see Lin Miao? Hasn’t he left the city?"

"No."

"Then the masked person..."

"Impossible to be him, he’s only seventeen, merely in the Upper Grade Bone Forging Realm. Mr. Huang Huang Baigao was at least a well-known Blood Fusion Realm expert, killed in only three moves, highly unlikely. Also, judging from the scene’s traces, the killer used a knife, taking a swift blade route, all victims fell to one stroke, no sign of a second strike witnessed. At least the perpetrator’s skills are on par with mine." Du Heng firmly denied.

"Then Mr. Du, if you were to face him, what’s your chance of winning?" Ye Shengyuan asked.

"Hard to say, he uses quick blades, but just how quick—without witnessing, it’s impossible to judge." Du Heng hesitated, evidently lacking confidence.

"Madam." Mrs. He came to the front courtyard, accompanied by five or six maidservants.

"Sheng Yuan, what’s going on?"

"Madam, in reply, this is what happened..." Ye Shengyuan swiftly bowed and briefly explained the events.

Mrs. He listened, furrowing her brows slightly: "Since it’s your people, take them back for treatment. We have no room to spare here."

Regarding the death of so many from the Huang Family, she showed no concern; they had willingly attached themselves, given a shot at survival. Dying for their master—wasn’t that their duty?

"Yes, Mrs. He." Ye Shengyuan nodded—the death of the Huang Family didn’t affect him much either.

"Dismiss now."

Du Heng and Green Blade Sect disciples quickly withdrew.

"Sheng Yuan, Marquis has sent word from Li Jing: this year’s emperor plans to hold an autumn hunting ceremony, requiring all noble heirs to attend, especially the sixteen-year-old heirs. Failing to attend might lead to losing their inheritances; after all, there’s not just one male in each household." Mrs. He quietly spoke to Ye Shengyuan as they walked.

"Madam, do you want Wulang to return to the capital for the autumn hunt?"

"Exactly. But with his health, how can we hide it from the Marquis?" Mrs. He asked, nodding.

"Madam, if you don’t want the Marquis to find out, it’s impossible. But we can manufacture an ’accident’ on the way back to the capital..."

"If the Marquis learns Wulang will forever be impaired, won’t my position be at risk?" Mrs. He glared at Ye Shengyuan.

"Madam, please listen to me..."

"Could that work?" Mrs. He was surprised by Ye Shengyuan’s plan.

"Doing this benefits both you and Wulang; you need to discuss with Wulang on selections—choosing people is easy, I’ll handle it myself." Ye Shengyuan assured.

"Fine, proceed as you suggested, find me candidates—several. I need to ensure a son." Mrs. He bit her lip and nodded.

"Understood."