Chapter 101: Oh, my children, your father is sorry.

“Wait a moment, Boss. Allow us to discuss this.”

Ye Kun walked to the side and took out the pouch his wife had given him. “If there are fifty gold coins inside, I’ll become a monk and wear a kasaya.”

The three of them stared at the pouch in his hand, their eyes gleaming with golden light as they wondered how much their wife had provided.

Ye Kun drew in a deep breath and tore the pouch open.

The four of them gazed at its contents and froze.

There were no gold coins at all—only round little stones and rolled-up strips of paper.

Ye Kun picked up the single piece of paper that held some value and unfolded it.

“My dear children, Father is sorry to you all… Please have pity on me. When Father becomes prosperous again, I will surely return everything to you. Oh, once we reach Ankang Prefecture, kind souls will naturally find you and arrange your lodging. Above all, do not tell your mother-in-law. Otherwise, Father will haunt you as a ghost even after I die~” A crude sketch of a bearded face wearing a menacing grin was drawn at the bottom.

The four of them were utterly stunned.

Their father had actually swapped the gold coins their mother-in-law had prepared!

His courage was truly shameless. If they returned and reported him, they might earn quite a reward.

Yet Ye Kun and Ye Qin felt their father had simply been driven to his wit’s end. Their mother-in-law was truly ruthless to push him to such depths.

“Ah…” The four of them let out long sighs. Father, you must simply do your best. If Mother-in-law discovers it, the consequences…

“What should we do?” Ye Qin asked his older brother.

Ye Kun frowned, then suddenly had an idea. “Let’s go say goodbye to the teacher.”

Ye Qin instantly understood his brother’s meaning. As expected, the older brother had wide connections.

Li Li and Yan Muer declared, “Anything is fine as long as we don’t have to walk.”

“Farewell, Boss.” Ye Kun waved.

The boss’s mouth twitched violently. “Twenty gold coins! Ten! Five!”

Ye Kun’s heart bled. He was truly penniless now. Unless the man shouted “free of charge,” he would have to turn around immediately.

But the boss did not say it.

The four of them returned to the academy, only to find the gate locked.

This left Ye Kun utterly dejected. Was his luck truly this abysmal?

What on earth was happening?

“Husband~” Li Li looked at Ye Kun with a pitiful expression, and Yan Muer was the same.

Ye Kun had never imagined that, no matter how invincible his strength, he would still be brought to his knees by utter poverty.

“Muer, Lili, will you listen to husband?” he asked in a deep voice.

“Yes, we will listen to husband~”

“Then good. Listen to husband and let us walk.”

Li Li: “……”

Yan Muer: “……”

Ye Qin: “……”

Outside Tai Xi County.

Two delicate girls with pitiful expressions followed behind a bald man.

“Brother, this doesn’t seem right,” Ye Qin said softly.

Ye Kun naturally felt a touch of unease, yet what could he do? He must explain it properly to his wives.

He slowed his steps, walked between Li Li and Yan Muer, and gently took hold of his wife’s small hand.

This gesture startled the dejected Li Li and Yan Muer; their hearts stirred uneasily.

“Lili, Muer, actually last night I thought about it for a long time. Your bodies are frail and require cultivation. Isn’t this an opportunity? Right…?”

His words had once made their hearts flutter, yet hearing his calm tone, they felt strangely tranquil. They even wanted to poke the bald man—how was he even thinking?

Heaven.

Sweet words would normally make them smile, but… they were still far too young and could not possibly anticipate their husband’s thoughts.

“Look at Ah Di, it was I who brought him along. I have also drawn up a complete set of cultivation methods for you. Once we reach Ankang Prefecture, I will begin teaching you both how to cultivate.” For such matters Ye Kun was especially attentive. His wives were too weak; they must be properly cultivated.

Li Li and Yan Muer no longer wished to speak, yet they forced themselves to appear obedient.

“Muer listens to husband.”

Lili quickly chimed in as well. “Yes, I listen to husband.”

Ye Qin suddenly felt that perhaps his earlier approach had been mistaken. Treating his sisters-in-law with such consideration was clearly the proper way.

Just look at how obedient the sisters-in-law are.

I still have much to learn from Brother.

Ye Kun felt rather at ease. His obedient wives made him far less worried. Holding their small hands also felt wonderfully comfortable.

Watching Brother holding the sisters-in-law, Ye Qin could not help recalling his own days with Ba Wanqing—hadn’t it been the same?

Instantly his demeanor grew melancholy, and Ye Kun noticed.

He had been far too intimate in front of Ah Di and could not afford to show such affection here.

So Ye Kun released his wife’s hand, strode to his younger brother’s side, and embraced him with a smile.

Li Li and Yan Muer suddenly realized something: as the wife of a little bald man, they had nothing to fear from other women. They should be worried about this younger brother instead.

However, at that moment, the sound of a carriage reached them from behind, and the four of them halted.

A luxurious carriage slowly rolled into view.

“Kun Ge!”

“Kun Ge!”

The occupants were none other than Yuan Chen and Feng Dian. They had originally planned to depart in a few days, but upon hearing that Kun Ge would leave today on foot, they hurried to prepare. Finally they had caught up with Kun Ge.

“And Kun Sister-in-law, Kun Sister-in-law, hello~” Yuan Chen and Feng Dian felt triumphant, finally sensing they had the upper hand over Kun Ge.

Ye Kun and Ye Qin naturally understood the meaning behind their words. These two truly seized every tiny opportunity.

Li Li and Yan Muer looked at the carriage. Given how well the men seemed to know their husband, perhaps they could arrange a ride.

The carriage appeared quite spacious.

“Kun Ge, please board the carriage. Walking is so exhausting; you must not tire Kun Sister-in-law.”

Feng Dian smiled slyly, his invitation sincere.

Yuan Chen shot him a glare. “What do you know! My Kun Ge is in cultivation. Do you think my Kun Ge walks because he is poor? Isn’t that right, Kun Ge?”

These two. Ye Kun was utterly helpless, yet he knew their hearts were not truly malicious.

Li Li and Yan Muer caught the sarcasm. This was no friendship at all.

“Husband, cultivation must be maintained at all times.”

“Precisely. Vigilance cannot be relaxed for even a moment.”

The two delicate wives were firm. The little bald man was one they could bully; others were not.

“Both Kun Sisters-in-law are formidable. Then we will not disturb Kun Ge in taking Kun Sister-in-law for cultivation. Until we meet again in Ankang Prefecture.”

Yuan Chen and Feng Dian cupped their hands, boarded the carriage, and departed.

As the carriage slowly receded, Ye Kun could still hear the laughter echoing from within.

You two are far too pleased with yourselves.

“Damn it! They’re both so hateful!” Yan Muer stamped her foot.

Li Li remained silent, her face taut with displeasure.

Ye Kun once again took his wife’s small hand. “All right. We shall go our own way.”

After being held by her husband, her anger vanished instantly. She lowered her head, looking bashful.

Ye Kun wondered if his hand possessed some magical power.