Chapter 147: Brother Qin Is a Bit Blunt (Third Update)

Batay sat silently beside them, seemingly maintaining a neutral stance.

Ji Wenshan furrowed his brow slightly. With a saint’s endorsement and the Night family head of Ankang Prefecture involved, trying to follow the usual rules was futile no matter what he said.

“Of course. Ye Kun, are you confident?” Ji Wenshan wanted to persuade Ye Kun to abandon this idea. If the academy director insisted on following protocol, without the Sword Emperor’s strength, it would be impossible—and even dangerous.

Ye Kun cupped his hands and said, “Governor, I want to try.”

“As expected of a Night family member, bold and resolute!” Zhang Jin remarked coldly, though there was no trace of praise in his tone.

“Nephew, you must think this through carefully. You’re still young—don’t act rashly. The director’s trial is no joke!” Ye Zhao tried hard to dissuade him. The more you forbid a young man, the more he insists on going—he’s just asking for death, Ye Kun!

Ye Kun glanced quietly at Ye Zhao, understanding his meaning well. “You only know if it will succeed by trying.”

“Since you’ve made up your mind, nephew, what do you think, Governor?” Ye Zhao asked.

Ji Wenshan sighed deeply. “The director’s trial will be held tomorrow morning at the empty well in Pingkang Lane, west side of the city. Ye Kun, you should go back and reconsider.”

“Thank you, Governor. Since I’ve decided, I won’t go back on my word,” Ye Kun said calmly. He valued his dignity; if others looked down on him, he would not allow them to be disappointed.

Yet as Ye Kun left the study, he secretly chided himself for being impulsive just now.

He would surely have to reveal his true strength then! How could he pass the trial without showing it?

Was he just making things harder for himself?

A sixteen-year-old passing the director’s trial—how astounding that would be.

Everyone would worship him. Especially his younger brother—seeing him so formidable without any training would surely prompt complaints: “Big brother, you lied to me again...”

His younger brother had just been deceived by a woman. If he got tricked by Ye Kun too, how could he bear it?

For his brother’s sake, Ye Kun had to conceal his power. Everything was for his brother to grow up well. Once his strength was sufficient, the truth wouldn’t be so exaggerated.

“Big brother, how did it go? I just saw uncle go in.” Ye Qin asked anxiously.

“It’s fine; everything’s settled,” Ye Kun replied naturally, unwilling to reveal details lest his brother and wife worry.

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian’s tense expressions instantly eased, and they hoisted their brother up, rushing off wildly, shouting, “Big brother Kun is awesome!”

Ye Kun’s expression was like this: ヽ(ー_ー)ノ

On the way home, Ye Kun pondered how to pass tomorrow’s director trial without exposing his true strength.

It was truly a dilemma.

“Darling, you’re frowning,” Yan Muer said, pouting.

“Am I?”

“Yes, deeply. Muer doesn’t like it when you frown.”

Seeing Yan Muer’s coquettish, teasing manner, Ye Kun’s lips curved slightly. When it came to cheering people up, Muer was indeed a master.

Ye Li was the type who wouldn’t say it but cared deeply inside.

“Alright, no more frowning now, right?”

“Hmm, vice director?”

“Dream on.”

“Hmph, you go ahead and frown then. I just like it when you frown.”

“Little Muer is angry? Your husband is here to cheer you up.” Ye Kun began tickling her, prompting Yan Muer’s delighted giggles and cries of mercy.

Ye Li cleared his throat. They were still in the carriage, and besides, the younger brother was present.

Others had suffered so much. Showing off affection in front of the younger brother now—did Ye Kun want to hurt him even more?

Only then did Ye Kun realize, glancing at his brother, who looked conflicted. What did that mean...?

He had been too careless just now.

“Big brother.”

“Hmm?”

“I want to see her,” Ye Qin said gravely.

Ye Kun’s brow creased sharply. See Ba Wanqing? The one he had just upset?

Brother, I’ve caused you trouble.

Ye Li nudged Ye Kun’s arm. Rather than letting your brother stew in his thoughts, it’d be better to let him see her once.

Ye Kun feared his brother would learn that Pan Pingping had died, and that Ba Wanqing’s situation was so dire. His brother was too soft-hearted... oh dear...

“Big brother, don’t worry. It’s just to see a childhood playmate.”

“Alright then.” Ye Kun didn’t want to oppress his brother; too much pressure would backfire.

“Thank you for understanding, big brother.”

Looking at his brother’s expression, if he found out tomorrow that big brother was actually very powerful, there’d be a rift. Being deceived by a woman was one thing, but now being deceived by big brother too? Who could bear that?

At the gate of the Ba residence, Ye Qin jumped down from the carriage. “Big brother, you go back first. It’s late. Tell father and mother I’ll be home soon.”

“Remember to come back, or mother will come looking for you.”

Ye Qin: “...”

Big brother really knows how to threaten.

Watching the carriage leave, Ye Qin appeared calm, glancing up at the Ba residence. Two guards still stood at the gate.

Just as Ye Qin was about to step inside, a familiar voice sounded: “Young Master Ye?”

Ye Qin turned, slightly startled—it was Miss Ziyan.

“Miss Ziyan?”

Today, Miss Ziyan wore a white silk dress, her black hair styled elegantly with side locks framing her face, a pale silk ribbon tied around her waist, emanating an ethereal aura.

For some reason, Ye Qin felt a bit nervous looking at her—perhaps because of the awkward scene from yesterday.

“So it really is Young Master Ye. What are you doing here?” Ziyan approached with quick, small steps, her gaze as if seeing a long-awaited lover.

“I... Miss Ziyan, why are you here?” Ye Qin stepped back slightly, somewhat taken aback.

That night he was drunk and let go, but normally, Brother Qin was quite reserved.

Ziyan smiled softly. “Young Master Ye, you seem distant. I live nearby and often walk home alone from the flower house at night.”

A blatant hint...

“Oh, that’s quite far. Didn’t you get a horse carriage?” Ye Qin asked with concern.

“No money. All my earnings get taken by the flower house,” Ziyan said quietly, with a touch of pitiful charm—a practiced act.

“How tragic.”

Ziyan seemed struck by lightning, staring blankly at Ye Qin.

Ye Qin realized he had misspoken nervously. “Miss Ziyan, it’s dangerous for you to go home alone.”

“Yes, I worry I might be kidnapped and sold someday.”

“It shouldn’t happen. Ankang Prefecture is still quite safe.”

Ziyan also seemed helpless. Why was it so hard to get a ride?

“Young Master Ye, are you going to the prefect’s mansion?”

“Yes, I’m going to visit a childhood playmate.”

Ziyan suddenly blinked mischievously. “I’ll accompany you?”