Chapter 15: Paying for Others' Meals?
That night.
Ye Liuyun was practicing the Pinewood Saber Technique in place.
After so many days, the Pinewood Saber Technique had nearly reached completion; it wouldn’t be long before it was perfected.
At that moment, the maid Xing’er suddenly approached.
“Master!”
“Hmm?”
Ye Liuyun stopped his movements and looked over curiously.
Normally, Xing’er would not disturb him during his training unless it was something important.
So, something must have happened.
“Is it about Madam?”
“Uh, it’s not Madam.”
Why was the first thing you thought of about Madam?
Xing’er didn’t dare to probe further and said immediately, “It’s about one of your men in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
One of his men in the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Besides Si Nan, there didn’t seem to be anyone else.
Could something have happened within the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
Thinking this, Ye Liuyun set his saber aside and beckoned Xing’er.
“Bring him here.”
“Yes, Master.”
...
While Ye Liuyun was stretching his aching shins, Si Nan was brought over by Xing’er.
“Master, are you practicing martial arts?”
Seeing Ye Liuyun’s current state, Si Nan was momentarily stunned. Like Xing’er before, he found it hard to believe that Ye Liuyun was still training.
“...” That makes me seem rather dull.
Ye Liuyun waved his hand, unwilling to dwell on the matter, and spoke directly.
“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t disturb my training.”
“Yes, Master!”
Snapping back to attention, Si Nan spoke seriously.
“It’s like this: tonight, Captain Lu Quan has booked the entire Jin Pavilion to host a banquet for guests and hopes that Master can attend.”
“A banquet?”
Ye Liuyun knew of Captain Lu Quan in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. After all, his elder brother’s roster also had Lu Quan’s name, marked as greedy and lustful.
The Jin Pavilion was a well-known restaurant within the Imperial City where many wealthy officials held banquets.
Lu Quan was quite generous.
After a moment’s consideration, Ye Liuyun waved his hand.
“No need. Just tell them I’m at a crucial point in my training and can’t spare the time. The invitation can wait for another time.”
This was not a lie or an excuse.
Ye Liuyun truly felt that his Pinewood Saber Technique was just a hair’s breadth away from perfection.
Attending a banquet wasn’t imperative this time; next time would do just fine.
However,
Upon hearing Ye Liuyun’s refusal, Si Nan’s expression turned awkward.
“It’s not a banquet invitation. Captain Lu Quan and the others are nearly finished eating.”
“Then why call me now? To pay the bill?”
Ye Liuyun suspected Si Nan was playing a joke on him—why call him now when the meal was nearly over?
“...”
It was just a casual complaint.
Unexpectedly, after Ye Liuyun’s words, both Si Nan and Xing’er fell silent, their eyes seeming to accept his response.
“?”
Wait, are they really expecting me to pay?
That’s insane. He invites people to eat, so why should I foot the bill?
Ye Liuyun suddenly recalled his brother’s nature and cautiously asked,
“Does this happen often?”
“Yes!”
Si Nan answered matter-of-factly.
“Not just with Captain Lu Quan, but many captains or commanders expect the Master to come and pay when they host banquets.”
Perhaps due to the frequency of such incidents, Si Nan’s tone was exceedingly natural as he spoke.
“...”
How shameless!
You think this will build rapport? They’ve probably already marked you as a sucker.
Seeing Ye Liuyun remain silent, Si Nan tentatively called out, “Master?”
Recently, there had been many changes in his Master’s demeanor, so Si Nan was uncertain about Ye Liuyun’s current temperament.
“Nothing.”
Even if annoyed, Ye Liuyun wasn’t about to take it out on Si Nan, simply waving his hand.
“If such things happen again, don’t report to me. Just tell them, ‘If you can’t pay, don’t invite.’ Wait for me to pay? Am I their father?”
Ye Liuyun had already reached the Postnatal Martial Artist stage. From what he knew, even Embroidered Uniform Guard commanders were roughly at the same level.
If he continued to bow and scrape, what would be the point of his martial cultivation? To become a beast of burden for others? Was the meaning of training just to kneel and grovel?
“Uh!”
Si Nan felt that if this attitude was spread around, it would surely offend Captain Lu Quan.
Yet, judging by Ye Liuyun’s demeanor, it seemed he didn’t care about offending anyone.
“Anything else?”
“No... no more!”
Si Nan thought better of it. If the Master didn’t mind, what was there for him to insist on?
There must be a reason behind the Master’s behavior.
Satisfied, Si Nan left after a few more words.
Xing’er remained quietly by the side.
Some time after Si Nan’s departure, Ye Liuyun still stood lost in thought, which puzzled Xing’er.
“Master, are you troubled by something?”
Xing’er had assumed Ye Liuyun was worried about offending the Embroidered Uniform Guard captain.
However,
“Not troubled. I’m just thinking of ways to recover that money.”
No wonder. When sorting through his brother’s ‘inheritance,’ there was no money to be found—it had all been spent like this.
Xing’er was at a loss for words but gazed at Ye Liuyun for a long moment. Whatever she was thinking, a smile gradually curled at the corner of her lips.
...
“What did you say!”
Inside the Jin Pavilion.
Upon hearing the report from his servant, Lu Quan’s previously cheerful expression instantly darkened.
Used to constant flattery, Lu Quan never expected that this ‘Ye Liufeng’ dog would dare to defy his orders.
If not for the many notable figures around, Lu Quan would have lashed out immediately.
“What’s wrong with Captain Lu?”
Someone noticed Lu Quan’s change in expression and asked curiously.
“Nothing, nothing. Just one disobedient subordinate—minor issue, really.”
Not wanting to lose face here, Lu Quan forced a smile.
Yet in his heart, he already planned to teach this ‘Ye Liufeng’ a lesson once back at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
...