IDWBE -Chapter 465 Improvement

Although Sang An was merely a gatekeeper, his instincts told him this matter was far from simple.

Who was Old Madam Xue?

She was the mother of the current Duke, Yuan Ang. And Yuan Ang was Prince He’s maternal grandfather.

Consort Yuan, as Prince He’s birth mother, had suddenly named Xue Dawu the number one martial performer under heaven. Wasn’t that deliberately putting Prince He in an awkward position?

And what about Xue Yiner? What was the meaning of her situation? Was she afraid people didn’t know she was Prince He’s cousin, making such a public spectacle of herself?

“What? That’s all the courage you have?” Wang Xiaoshuan asked smugly.

“Oh, listen to you,” Sang An deliberately turned his head away, lowering his voice. “This old man still wants to live a few more years. Don’t laugh at me.”

Was the family business of Prince He something people like them could meddle in? That was practically asking to die sooner.

“Good that you know,” Wang Xiaoshuan chuckled. “If it’s not your concern, stop prying in the future.”

Seeing Wang Xiaoshuan’s cup empty, Sang An refilled it and asked curiously, “Then Lord Lei must know about this as well?”

“He knows. Of course he knows,” Wang Xiaoshuan said with a grin. “In Ankang City, anyone with a clear head wouldn’t dare to show support for Xue Yiner. Even if Lei Kaishan had the guts of the heavens, he wouldn’t dare invite her out.”

“You mean…?” Sang An asked cautiously.

“What else could it mean?” Wang Xiaoshuan said bluntly. “It must have been instructed by Prince He or Commander Jiao. Otherwise, Lei Kaishan wouldn’t have enough heads to lose.”

“And Mr. Liang…?” Sang An grew even more confused.

If even Lei Kaishan, a mere guard, understood this, there was no reason Liang Yuanzhi, a first-class secretary, wouldn’t.

“He calls himself a first-class secretary, but he’s just a clerk. What’s so great about that?” Wang Xiaoshuan said sourly. “He’s a bookworm, not some all-knowing sage.”

Sang An stroked his beard and nodded, about to respond when he suddenly heard applause.

Looking up, he saw a figure blocking the doorway.

They hadn’t even noticed when Wei Yishan arrived.

Clapping his hands, Wei Yishan said, “You’ve made some progress, kid. I didn’t expect that.”

“Lord Wei,” Sang An bowed slightly. “I’ll go add some coal for you two.”

With that, he tactfully withdrew from the room.

Wei Yishan, Liu Kan, Liang Yuanzhi, Wang Xiaoshuan—they were all natives of Baiyun City. Sang An had watched them grow up. In the past, he could scold them as little brats.

But times had changed. Wei Yishan, Liu Kan, and Liang Yuanzhi were now powerful figures. He might treat Wang Xiaoshuan casually, but he absolutely could not do the same with the others.

Offending them wouldn’t cost him his life—they’d at least show some courtesy for old times’ sake—but that wasn’t the real issue.

He wasn’t alone in this world.

At his age, the only reason he remained in this bone-chilling northern land instead of returning to Sanhe was because his grandson was serving in the army.

If he left, what would happen to his grandson?

So he had to stay.

And merely staying wasn’t enough—he had to make himself useful.

Being a gatekeeper had one major advantage: he could get acquainted with many “high officials.” One day, he might need to ask favors of them.

He couldn’t afford to offend them—he had to curry favor shamelessly.

Otherwise, it might affect his grandson’s future career.

“When did you get here?” Wang Xiaoshuan sized up Wei Yishan, who wore only a thin shirt, and laughed. “You just jumped over the wall? Aren’t you afraid someone inside might mistake you for an intruder and chop you into mince?”

“Am I that bad at martial arts?” Wei Yishan replied with a smile.

“That’s because Ye Qiu isn’t here,” Wang Xiaoshuan yawned. “If he were, no questions asked, your body wouldn’t survive a single strike.”

“You’re talking nonsense again. You’re underestimating Young Master Ye,” Wei Yishan said, unconsciously extending his hands toward the warm stove. “I cultivate the Vertical and Horizontal Sword Qi as well. As a grandmaster, Young Master Ye could probably recognize it from two li away.”

“A grandmaster is that powerful?” Wang Xiaoshuan craned his neck.

Wei Yishan rolled his eyes. “If you ran twenty li ahead, do you think you could escape a grandmaster’s pursuit?”

Thinking of Ye Qiu’s ruthlessness, Wang Xiaoshuan shook his head like a rattle drum. “Even if I ran to the ends of the earth, I’d still be dead.”

His eyes suddenly lit up. “But…”

“What scheme are you cooking up now?” Wei Yishan laughed.

“I could learn the Turtle Breathing Technique from Fang Pi,” Wang Xiaoshuan said in a low voice. “Back then, the Twelfth Prince escaped the palace in Prince He’s carriage because he mastered that technique—even fooled Chief Steward Hong.”

“Turtle Breathing Technique?” Wei Yishan snorted. “A gentleman should strive for self-improvement. Why learn something like that?”

“Hmph.” Wang Xiaoshuan snorted as well. “Remember Prince He’s words: whenever you feel like criticizing someone, remember that not everyone in this world has enjoyed the same advantages you’ve had.”

Talent.

On the path of martial arts, he had none. He ought to follow Wang Tuozi and Fang Pi’s example—accept reality and learn more unconventional life-saving skills.

Wei Yishan fell silent.

After a long while, he cupped his fists toward Wang Xiaoshuan and said solemnly, “Brother, I spoke rashly. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Moved by his sincerity, Wang Xiaoshuan returned the gesture. “We’re brothers. No need for such formalities.”

Then he changed the subject. “You never answered my earlier question. Why are you here? Jiang Zhen came to Ankang City today—shouldn’t you be entertaining him?”

Wei Yishan smiled. “Jiang Dasheng and Butcher Rong were waiting eagerly at the city gate since morning. By evening, Jiang Zhen went straight to the Governor’s Office. When she finally came out, it was already the hour of Hai. No matter how unreasonable Liu Kan can be, he wouldn’t disturb a father and daughter’s reunion. So the dinner was canceled. I hadn’t been here in a long time, so I came to take a look. I didn’t expect you’d actually improved.”

“Improved at what?” Wang Xiaoshuan sighed. “I’m still a tiny ninth-rank sesame official. This is probably all I’ll ever be.”

Wei Yishan said, “You don’t like being restrained. Otherwise, you could come to the army with me.”

“Absolutely not,” Wang Xiaoshuan said without hesitation. “No matter what, I’m not becoming a soldier. Not in this lifetime.”