Chapter 23: Allowed to Leave the Manor

The next day, Ye Manor was very silent. The servants kept their heads down and worked hard at their duties. They didn’t pass the time engaging in gossip as they usually did.

Ye Sheng got up very early in the morning and saw that palace guards had replaced the Ye Manor guards. They were everywhere, stationed all around the inside of the manor, as well as the outside. With the exception of the inside of the living quarters of the family members, there was definitely one guard every three to five steps inside the house.

Ye Sheng knew that these palace guards were here to protect the Second Emperor of Qin since he was coming for a banquet.

This emperor was different from the previous one. In his 17 years on the throne, after the first year, when he had mustered 1 million troops to destroy the Reincarnation Sect, he had never gone into any battle that required more than 100,000 troops.

He preferred peace and prosperity in the country.

That was the way he had decided to rule the country, and the citizens praised him for it, especially those in the poorer parts of the country. The emperor sent out younger officials to do the work, so that they could use the drive of their youth, their sense of responsibility, and their hopes of being affirmed and recognized to rule over the different parts of the country. As for the older officials, he arranged for them to live in wealthy areas quietly and in stable circumstances.

Once a year, there was an assessment for all court officials. The rewards and punishments were given justly, and, if an official did a good job, they would be promoted. For the past decade, all the young people in Great Qin knew that if they wanted to be promoted quickly, they just had to go and take care of the more rural areas. Once they did a good job of overseeing whatever place they were sent to, they would get a promotion within the next three to five years.

On top of that, this emperor loved to build roads. All nine provinces of Great Qin were connected by proper roads. The standard width for these roads was that of ten horses walking side by side, unless the road was in a secluded mountainous region.

Once he had finished with building roads, the emperor started managing the sea routes, cracking down on pirates, cleaning up any dangerous areas, and ensuring that all trade routes at sea operated smoothly. Many well-to-do merchants used these routes to sail to many places in order to sell their goods.

Even though the Second Emperor of Qin did not conquer new lands like his predecessor did, he was still considered a good ruler. He ruled his nation in an orderly and fair manner, and, most important, he was of good character himself.

He did not indulge in random women, he wasn’t greedy for money, and he didn’t crave power or recognition.

Over the 17 years he had been on the throne, he had taken only nine wives, and his entire harem didn’t consist of more than a dozen women. Most of them were actually political marriages also.

This emperor was now in the prime of his life. He wasn’t even 40 years old. It was thought that he would definitely be able to rule and prosper in Great Qin for another 60 years.

This wise ruler was praised by all the scholars, so when he decided to revive the Jixia Academy, all the older scholars immediately came forward to support him. Within the short span of one year, Jixia Academy became a famous academy throughout the world, and even disciples of major sects wanted to enroll in it.

…

On this day, Ye Sheng remained in his little courtyard and didn’t go anywhere. The entire manor was very heavily guarded, and, in the evening, a tremendous pressure of authority enveloped the manor, such that the air in Ye Manor seemed to solidify. Ye Sheng frowned deeply as he stared up into the blue sky. He swore he actually saw a dragon cover half the sky, and it was confident and authoritative-looking.

It seemed as if it had been nothing but an illusion. Once Ye Sheng blinked, the dragon disappeared, and the sky was clear again.

“Young Master Twelve, Consort Ye invites you to the banquet and says that His Majesty has almost arrived,” reported a maid.

Ye Sheng tidied himself up and walked over with leisurely steps.

The largest hall of Ye Manor was already filled with people.

The one at the head of the table was, of course, Lord Ye. Next to him in order of importance were Consort Ye, the Old Lady, First Madam, Second Madam, then all of the children of the wives like Ye Qing and Ye Lin’er. Other children, who the Old Lady doted on like Water Chestnut Flower and others, were also here, but they were all seated at a side table.

Ye Sheng’s arrival caught many people’s attention.

The Old Lady’s bright smile instantly disappeared, and there was a look of disgust in her eyes as she glanced at him, then turned away.

First Madam closed her eyes and ignored Ye Sheng.

But Second Madam, Hu Mei, laughed quietly and said, “Number Twelve is here. It seems like everybody is waiting for you.”

Jealousy appeared on Ye Qing’s face. He clenched his fists tightly and didn’t say anything.

Ye Lin’er, Water Chestnut Flower, and the rest were all looking at Ye Sheng curiously.

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Since he was under the protection of Consort Ye, Ye Sheng didn’t use his Molting Spell. His aura was no longer meek and pliable. Instead, he walked confidently and boldly into the hall while keeping his eyes focused on Lord Ye.

Out of all the people here, the only person who made Ye Sheng feel wary and afraid was Lord Ye.

Once Ye Sheng walked in, Lord Ye’s expression remained calm as he also stared intently at Ye Sheng. Nobody knew what he was thinking.

This calmness of Lord Ye made Ye Sheng feel a bit nervous. He walked up to Lord Ye and bowed, “Greetings, Father.”

Lord Ye asked, “You’ve learned martial arts?”

Ye Sheng’s heart trembled as he kept his head bowed, but he calmed himself down immediately. He looked up at Lord Ye and said, “I received it somehow without the help of a teacher.”

“You’re lying. You’ve gone against the rules of this house, and you’ve secretly learned martial arts. Are you publicly defying me now?” demanded Lord Ye coldly.

Hu Mei and Ye Qing had a look of glee on their faces. Ye Sheng had really secretly learned martial arts. That was definitely going to lead to his death.

First Madam slowly opened her shut eyes. A fierce glint flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Ye Sheng. Then she looked at Consort Ye immediately afterward.

Consort Ye was seated to one side of Lord Ye, and she said, “I’m the one who taught Twelfth Brother martial arts. How can you say that he learned it secretly?”

After Consort Ye said that, Lord Ye frowned and said, “Have you forgotten what happened to your Third Brother?”

Ye Sheng gritted his teeth. Their third brother was the one who had been beaten to death for learning martial arts in secret.

Consort Ye had no fear even when faced with the highest-ranking person among the Twelve Great Immortals. She laughed quietly and responded, “I will not let the tragedy of Third Brother happen again. I was the one who agreed to let Ye Sheng learn martial arts. He’s already of age and should leave Ye Manor. Even an eagle chick has to eventually learn to fly on its own. Old Lady, don’t you agree?”

Everyone knew that the Old Lady didn’t like Ye Sheng, so she was pleased to hear these words and said, “Number Twelve, Ye Sheng, has come of age and has no right to inherit any part of Ye Manor, so we should just let him leave.”

There was a look of joy in Ye Sheng’s eyes. He didn’t care for the family’s assets, and being able to leave the manor was the best thing for him.

Lord Ye stared at Ye Sheng closely, and nobody knew what he was thinking about. After a long pause, he suddenly said, “Since my mother has said so, then I won’t pursue the matter of Ye Sheng secretly learning martial arts. From today onward, Ye Sheng, you may leave the manor.”

Ye Sheng looked up in surprise. He was going to be able to leave so easily?

Lord Ye’s ferocious eyes scanned his face, and he said, “Why, are you unwilling to leave?”

“I am extremely grateful for Father’s graciousness.” Ye Sheng immediately fell to his knees and pretended to be terribly touched.

“I will not pursue the matter of you learning martial arts in secret, but if you dare to ever bring harm to the reputation of Ye Manor, I will kill you for being unfilial,” said Lord Ye nonchalantly.

Ye Sheng’s heart pounded wildly for a few moments. He did not doubt Lord Ye’s words at all, since he wouldn’t be the first son Lord Ye had beaten to death.

“I will not harm the reputation of Ye Manor,” promised Ye Sheng.

“His Majesty has arrived!” A loud and resonant voice echoed out, causing the entire household to move.

Lord Ye walked out first, followed by Consort Ye, the Old Lady, and the rest.

Ye Sheng quietly followed them at the back.

Ye Qing was right next to him, and he gnashed his teeth as he glared at Ye Sheng. “So you’ve secretly learned martial arts. Looks like you were just pretending when I knocked you out the other day. Ye Sheng, you’re a real schemer.”

Ye Sheng didn’t say anything to him in return. He couldn’t be bothered with this idiot. He couldn’t possibly say that he had only started learning martial arts after he had been beaten half to death by Ye Qing, since that was too hard to believe. It had been barely two weeks since he’d been beaten up, and he was already at Acquired Level Third Stage. If anyone found out about the speed with which he had progressed, it would definitely scare a lot of people half to death.

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