IDWBE -Chapter 397 Establishing a Family and Career

In short, advance or retreat—either way he could respond. He would never give the Chief Steward a single flaw to criticize.

“Actually, the one you should thank most is the City Lord of Chunshan City,” the blind man said with a smile. “She would never have imagined that her careless action would help you break through life and death and step directly into Grandmaster.”

And most crucially—he had surpassed even him in martial arts!

“Even I didn’t expect it,” the monk sighed. “I only knew that when I saw her, I was no longer afraid. I knew I could defeat her.”

Lin Yi laughed. “Higher martial skill is a good thing. What’s there to sigh about? Since you abducted someone else’s prized disciple, you can’t just leave her hanging. You have to give her a proper status.”

As he said this, he felt a hint of jealousy.

Among all the women he had met, in terms of beauty, Xie Xiaoqing absolutely ranked near the top—perhaps only inferior to Du Yinniang.

Thinking of Du Yinniang, his lower abdomen grew slightly warm.

He shouldn’t have acted so restrained back then!

As a feudal lord, eating, drinking, and enjoying pleasures was perfectly in character!

“Your Highness,” the monk said, blushing, “I am a monk. Monks cannot marry.”

Lin Yi replied, “Since you know you can’t marry, why did you save her in the first place? If you were merely being compassionate, you could have settled her somewhere. Why bring her back to Ankang City? You’re just making trouble for yourself.”

The monk sighed helplessly. “It was my momentary negligence that led to such a grave mistake.”

“A grave mistake?”

Lin Yi’s gossip instinct instantly flared. “Did you sleep with her?”

The blind man and Ye Qiu both perked up their ears.

The monk shook his head. “Having already committed one grave mistake, how could I make another?”

“Wine and meat pass through the gut; the Buddha remains in the heart. It’s just marriage,” Lin Yi said indifferently. “What are you afraid of?”

“Your Highness forgets the latter half—‘If the world imitates me, they enter the demonic path,’” the monk replied, pressing his palms together. “As for how to settle Xie Xiaoqing, I truly have a headache.”

Lin Yi laughed. “Don’t be foolish. So what if you enter the demonic path? With a girl that devoted to you, even going to hell would be worth it. Don’t you monks always say, ‘If I don’t enter hell, who will?’ Now that it’s your turn, you hesitate. Besides, if you want to transcend the mortal world, how can you do so without first experiencing it?”

Ye Qiu and the others were full of admiration for Lin Yi.

Their prince’s greatest skill was turning black into white—making three parts reason out of none.

Most infuriating of all, sometimes you couldn’t even refute him.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s guidance,” the monk said bitterly.

Lin Yi paced around the garden. “One must learn to accept advice. Your parents passed away early. If they were alive, I’m sure they’d be happy to see you establish a family and career. It’s my fault too. Back then, I only thought about your lame leg and finding you a livelihood, so I sent you to Baiyun Temple. And now? You truly devoted yourself to becoming a monk.”

Sometimes he couldn’t help marveling at the wonders of martial arts. Both Hong An and the monk had been lame, yet after cultivating, their walking was almost indistinguishable from normal people’s.

As for whether their bones had truly healed, he had no idea.

“Your Highness’s great kindness—I cannot repay even one ten-thousandth,” the monk said, tears welling up at the mention of his parents.

The blind man also lowered his head silently.

“I’m not expecting repayment,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “I just hope you’re all well. If you don’t marry, I’ll feel guilty toward your parents.”

The monk lowered his head. “Your Highness’s grace is higher than the heavens. I am ashamed.”

“Enough of the useless talk,” Lin Yi waved his hand. “Whether you live in the manor, at the stables, or in your own house—you bought one anyway—it’s up to you. Do as you like.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Go on. Xie Xiaoqing must be anxious after waiting so long. Hurry home.”

The monk bowed again and left the garden.

Lin Yi lay back in his chair with his eyes closed.

Ye Qiu, having nothing to do, prepared to return to the stables.

As he passed the rockery, he encountered Sun Cheng.

“Young Master Ye,” Sun Cheng said respectfully, “Young Master Ye Chen seeks an audience.”

After speaking, he lowered his head, not daring to meet Ye Qiu’s eyes.

He hadn’t said anything wrong, had he?

When he first entered Prince He’s Manor, his elder brother repeatedly warned him: the first person you must never offend is neither Prince He nor Hong Ying—but Ye Qiu.

The Prince might be petty but was merciful; unless you touched his money or committed grave crimes, he couldn’t be bothered.

The Chief Steward was cold and ruthless but wouldn’t trouble you if you didn’t break rules.

The truly terrifying one was Ye Qiu—utterly inhuman. Say one wrong word, and he’d draw his sword without giving you a chance to explain.

Though for someone like him, Ye Qiu wouldn’t even need a sword—one finger would be enough to kill him.

As he stood there nervously, he suddenly realized he could no longer see Ye Qiu’s toes.

When he looked up, Ye Qiu had vanished.

“Worthy of a Grandmaster,” he muttered in awe. “Such peerless lightness skill.”

At the gate of Prince He’s Manor, Ye Chen stood in a green robe. Suddenly seeing his elder brother appear before him, he hurriedly bowed.

“Greetings, Elder Brother.”

Ye Qiu ignored the kneeling old servant beside him and said coldly, “Your martial skill hasn’t improved. Useless.”

“I am dull-witted,” Ye Chen replied calmly. “Naturally I cannot compare to Elder Brother’s heaven-given talent.”

He understood his brother well—his heart was as cold as his outward demeanor.

“Speak. Why are you looking for me?”

Ye Chen took out a stack of banknotes and raised them over his head. “Before I came to Ankang City, Mother instructed me—‘Traveling requires wealth.’ Elder Brother lives alone here; it must be difficult. Please accept this.”

“Do I look like someone lacking money?” Ye Qiu said expressionlessly.

If he drew his sword, countless people in the world would beg to offer him money.

“This is the share you deserve,” Ye Chen said.

Ye Qiu sneered. “Indeed, it is mine.”

Before Ye Chen noticed, the banknotes had already disappeared from his hands.

“Father’s health has improved after taking Physician Hu’s pills. Mother practices Huiyuan Gong and is stronger now. Elder Brother need not worry.”

“Have you become clan leader?” Ye Qiu asked.

“The line of succession is clear. I dare not.”

“Are you questioning my decision?” Ye Qiu’s eyes turned icy.

Ye Chen shuddered and bowed deeply. “Since Elder Brother insists, I accept.”

Ye Qiu stepped closer, speaking without emotion.

“In the capital, discard that hypocritical gentleman act. You think being modest earns kindness? Delusion. The kinder you are, the more others bully you. If you die, so be it—but don’t lose my face.”

“Yes, Elder Brother.”

In a blink, Ye Qiu disappeared again.

Later that evening, Yu Xiaoshi sat gloomily on the steps outside the manor gate.

“What’s wrong?” Jiao Zhong asked.

Yu Xiaoshi only shook his head.

Sun Cheng said gleefully, “His son took someone else’s surname.”

Jiao Zhong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Pang Zhirou dared such a thing?

Yu Xiaoshi looked miserable. Sun Cheng clarified, “Pang Zhirou wants the child to take the surname Pang, not Yu.”

“Too much!” Jiao Zhong fumed. “The child not being yours can be tolerated—but not taking your surname!”

Sun Cheng laughed. “Pang Geng has only one daughter. If the child doesn’t take Pang, their family line ends.”

“Is that Pang Geng’s idea?” Jiao Zhong asked.

Sun Cheng nodded.

Jiao Zhong muttered carefully—Yu Xiaoshi wasn’t as foolish as he seemed.

“So what’s the child’s name?” Jiao Zhong asked.

A-Dai, chewing on an unpeeled sweet potato, shouted, “Choutou!”

“Choutou? (Stinky Head?)” Jiao Zhong laughed. “Might as well call him Cat or Dog.”

Sun Cheng suddenly said, “Do you know what Lord Shan Qi’s childhood name was?”

“What?”

“Hehe… I once heard the old madam call him this—Shan Fei.

Yes, Fei as in ‘fat pig.’”

“People from Nanzhou really know how to give nicknames…” Jiao Zhong teased.