Chapter 24: I Only Know That Heaven Never Bars One’s Way

"Snap!"

At the same time, Ye Liuyun took out the token he had been carrying and tossed it in front of Yan Shuzhu.

"Since the money has been paid, I shall return this token to you."

Perhaps even Yan Shuzhu hadn't expected Ye Liuyun to be so straightforward. She picked up the token, toyed with it for a moment, and then looked at Ye Liuyun with great interest.

"Do you know that with this token, you can come and go as you please within the Imperial Palace, and even command the Imperial Guards? Wouldn't it be a pity to just return it like this?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Shi Sheng frowned and looked over. Even Si Nan sobered up quite a bit. If this wasn't mere bragging, then Yan Shuzhu, who could possess such a token, must have an extraordinary status.

Ye Liuyun was also quite surprised, but he replied, "I have heard that a Grandmaster can also come and go as they please within the Imperial Palace, treating an army of a million as nothing."

In the current Great Qian Dynasty, there was only one Grandmaster on the record, who served as the current Prime Minister and the head of the civil officials. Yan Shuzhu could tell that Ye Liuyun intended to become a Grandmaster himself. Even Lü Lan couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance at him.

"Does Brother Ye know that the total number of Grandmasters across the fourteen provinces of the world does not even reach one hundred?"

There were so many martial artists in the world, yet those who could break through to the Grandmaster realm were few and far between, which was enough to show how difficult the path of martial arts truly was. Yan Shuzhu’s tone was not one of mockery, but purely one of curiosity regarding where Ye Liuyun’s confidence came from.

"I only know that there is always a way out; if one doesn't even dare to try, then failure is inevitable."

Ye Liuyun’s words made Yan Shuzhu think of herself. Was her own desire to break free from the status of a puppet not considered delusional by many? Yet, if she lacked the courage to even try, she would truly have no chance at all.

"Brother Ye, you are truly different from the information I gathered."

Thinking of the report that claimed Ye Liuyun was a sycophant with little real talent, Yan Shuzhu couldn't help but shake her head with a smile. Had the people around her become so incompetent? They couldn't even collect accurate intelligence.

Had she investigated his background? It was only natural, after all, being someone from the Imperial Palace, it was no surprise she had the ability to do so.

"A humble beginning is no shame; only those who can bend and stretch are true men."

In truth, before he had transmigrated, Ye Liuyun had always quite liked this saying. Yan Shuzhu pondered the words carefully, savoring their meaning, and her expression softened into one of sudden realization. She bowed to Ye Liuyun and said, "I have learned much from you!"

In Yan Shuzhu’s mind, perhaps Ye Liuyun’s previous behavior had merely been a strategy of convenience. Before one had the power to change the status quo, one had to bide their time, keeping a low profile while waiting for the day to soar like a dragon emerging from the sea.

***

Was she overthinking things?

Ye Liuyun merely glanced at Yan Shuzhu and, unfazed, continued to drink. Yan Shuzhu began to chat with him, though they only discussed trivial matters. It seemed as if she deliberately wanted to befriend him, even asking for his opinion on certain legal case files. Fortunately, Ye Liuyun had been reading quite a few such files recently. Combined with the perspective of a transmigrator, his way of looking at problems was fundamentally different from those of this era, so he answered without any pressure.

"Brother Ye, I once encountered a difficult case. A noble concubine in the palace was poisoned, yet after a full investigation, there was not a single clue. None of the eunuchs or palace maids around her noticed anything; it was as if the poison had simply fallen from the sky."

"Brother Ye, do you know how such a thing could be accomplished?"

Is she testing me? I came here to drink and relax, how did this turn into a thesis defense?

"Either it was a martial artist skilled in lightness techniques and stealth, or everyone participated in the poisoning!"

When Ye Liuyun gave the first answer, Yan Shuzhu was a bit disappointed, as she had already considered that possibility without getting anywhere. But when the second answer was given, she froze.

"Everyone participated?"

"Isn't that normal? If everyone participated, everyone would naturally cover for each other."

Do you think I watch detective shows for nothing?

"Brother Ye is truly gifted!"

Seeing that Yan Shuzhu wanted to continue asking questions, Ye Liuyun stood up directly. "Alright, that’s enough for today. I’ll be heading back now!"

Tch, there wasn't even a performance by the lead courtesan; how boring. Seeing Ye Liuyun about to leave, Yan Shuzhu also stood up in a hurry.

"Then, when will Brother Ye be free to come out again?"

"When there is a performance by the lead courtesan, I suppose!"

After saying this, Ye Liuyun left immediately, with Shi Sheng and Si Nan following closely behind. When Ye Liuyun and Yan Shuzhu were talking earlier, they hadn't dared to say a word.

"A performance by the lead courtesan? Brother Ye is a man of refined tastes!"

Beside her, Lü Lan heard her Majesty’s exclamation and couldn't help but feel speechless. Is he sure he isn't just lecherous?

"Lü Lan!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Lü Lan immediately knelt and bowed.

"Go make arrangements. Have the lead courtesan of this Music Conservatory perform in the next few days."

The lead courtesan did not perform every day; in fact, she only performed once a month, and the dates were irregular. However, the Music Conservatory was backed by the royal family, and with Yan Shuzhu’s power, arranging a performance was quite simple.

***

"Understood!"

Lü Lan had no questions. After all, she had been standing right there when Ye Liuyun spoke; some of his remarks had made even her feel enlightened. He was truly a man of great talent.

Yan Shuzhu said nothing, instead ruminating on the answers Ye Liuyun had just given. Her eyes became much brighter.

***

"Sir, who do you think that Yan Shu fellow actually is?"

After leaving the Music Conservatory, Si Nan couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer.

"Who knows? Perhaps some prince from the palace or something!"

Since this Yan Shuzhu wanted to dress as a man, Ye Liuyun had no intention of exposing her.

"Hiss!" A prince?

Si Nan couldn't help but gasp. He felt as if the gap between their status and the other person’s was like that between the clouds and the mud.

"So what if he’s a prince? If he commits a crime, I’ll still arrest him." Shi Sheng added dismissively.

Si Nan, who had been sighing, was interrupted by these words and gave him an annoyed look. "You have the nerve to arrest others? I really want to arrest you instead! Remember to pay me back those three hundred taels."

If he had known, he wouldn't have come. He had lost three hundred taels for nothing.

"Didn't I say I'd treat you to steamed buns tomorrow?" Knowing he was in the wrong, Shi Sheng muttered.

"To hell with your steamed buns." What kind of steamed buns cost three hundred taels?

"I see it now. You look honest on the surface, but you're actually quite black-hearted."

It was clear that losing three hundred taels had left Si Nan quite resentful. Shi Sheng didn't care; he had heard such mild lectures countless times already. You can say whatever you want, but I’m just not going to listen.