Before he could speak, the words came out loud and clear:

"Didn’t I tell you to let me know if you had any news about him? So you’ve been hiding so much from me, and you’ve instructed Qin Yin, implying he’s now under your command. And what’s this about their talk of merchants?"

Just as one issue seemed to settle, another arose.

Facing the three trouble-causers in front of him, Ye Zhi’s barrage of questions made Shen Chen slightly frown. He gently said, "I’ll explain this to you later, so don’t worry."

She snorted coldly, "Hmph, you better do, or I won’t let you off easily."

The petite figure turned back to eating sunflower seeds, watching the spectacle unfold.

Shen Chen responded lightly, "Alright." He then turned to the other three and said, "Come with me, let’s talk outside."

This action was obviously aimed at driving them away.

Once outside, coming back in wouldn’t be so easy. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Peng Ran, wise and observant, looked toward the main hall at the girl with apricot cheeks and peach-like face, bright teeth and delicate brows, as fresh as a budding lotus. Her place in Senior Brother Shen’s heart was unusual.

He realized she was the legendary Little Green Plum Shen cared about the most, and shifted his focus to her.

Peng Ran began to chat her up, "Miss Ye, do you remember me? I’m junior to Senior Brother Shen at Dragon Tiger Mountain, and we met once."

Ye Zhi looked at the Little Traitor, then at the handsome Peng Ran, and nodded, indicating she remembered.

"I came all the way from Dragon Tiger Mountain to follow my brother, but he doesn’t want me to. I wonder if the Ye Mansion needs a servant or guard. My skills are adequate, and you can name your price for my service."

He spoke very earnestly.

Before the young daughter could speak, Mrs. Ye stood up and hurriedly said, "No, no, you are all disciples from Dragon Tiger Mountain with such remarkable skills. How could you stoop to becoming guards at our Ye Mansion? Such talent should at least secure a military position in the palace."

Guo Hao was a beat slow but caught on, yes, they could first seek refuge at the Ye Mansion. "Madam is joking. We’ve come to the Capital City without a stable place to stay. If madam doesn’t mind, I’ll pay you and hope to stay for a few days. I’d be immensely grateful."

With that, he reached for his pouch, wanting to take out some silver.

The antiseptic medicine and black jade ointment they had just given were exceptional.

Mrs. Ye felt it was inappropriate to take their silver and said, "No need. No need. For now, you can stay at our Ye Mansion for a few days. Move out when you’ve found a proper place in the Capital City."

These people were, after all, fellow disciples with Xiao Chen, and it was reasonable to care for them.

Shen Chen objected, "It’s not necessary, they can stay outside."

"It’s nothing, we have plenty of rooms," Mrs. Ye insisted.

For a moment, the atmosphere was tense.

Peng Ran knew that ultimately Senior Brother Shen’s agreement would be necessary, so he approached Ye Zhi and whispered, "Miss Ye, I can be your guard and practice martial arts with you. You can experience Dragon Tiger Mountain’s martial arts. I will spar with you seriously; how does that sound?"

He mentioned this because she had previously expressed interest in finding someone to spar with at Dragon Tiger Mountain.

His suggestion was just a test.

Ye Zhi’s bright eyes lit up slightly, and she looked at the Little Traitor, "Let them stay at the Ye Mansion for a few days, after all, staying somewhere else is still staying. They’re new here and unfamiliar with the Capital City. How does that sound to you?"

Though she asked, her tone already showed determination.