Chapter 59: Ye Liyan’s Visit

The next day, the sky was clear and blue, with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.

Shen Yian came out of his room, rubbing his temples. Yesterday, he had planned to freeload dinner at the Duke’s mansion, but unexpectedly ran into Ye Tiance and Duke of Anguo Du Fang on the way.

Without a word, the two men dragged him back to the mansion for a feast, insisting on helping him ward off bad luck. Halfway through the banquet, if Ye Tiance hadn’t been worried about angering his granddaughter later, he probably would have sent Afu to fetch a few more jars of wine.

He and Ye Tiance didn’t drink much, but Du Fang ended up being carried home by Du Dunming – how embarrassing.

Speaking of which, shouldn’t he go ask the old man for rewards today? He had exceeded expectations, not only killing the barbarian lord but also joining forces with his father-in-law to defeat thirty thousand barbarian troops. Wouldn’t this achievement be worth a city?

Moreover, another legend was likely to spread through the martial arts world.

That night, three thousand sword intents slashed across the night sky of Great Qing.

That night, the sword cultivator Ye Beian beheaded the Divine Wandering realm barbarian lord with his sword.

Based on this legend alone, wouldn’t it be fair to give him the title of Sword Immortal?

Though he was no longer in the martial arts world, his legend continued to spread there.

Thinking about this, Shen Yian felt secretly pleased. Is this how it feels to be a master whose name is constantly mentioned?

While eating, Shen Yian received a message from Yin Hai.

“Your Highness, someone has secretly entered the prince’s mansion. Shall we eliminate them?”

“No need.”

Shen Yian stood on the edge of the chair, blowing on a bowl of soup in his hand, looking like a dandy young man.

“Your Highness the King of Chu.”

Hearing someone call him, Shen Yian instinctively looked up to see a mysterious figure in a black cloak standing at the door.

“Oh my! Eunuch Zhao?! What wind blows you here?”

Shen Yian hurriedly put down his bowl and exclaimed in feigned surprise.

Zhao Hai removed his black hood and apologized, “This old servant has rudely disturbed Your Highness. I am at fault.”

“Eunuch Zhao, you’re being too formal. Please, sit down.”

“Eunuch Zhao, have you eaten?”

Shen Yian stood up and welcomed him warmly. With Zhao Hai’s arrival, he had already guessed what this was about.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This old servant has already eaten in the palace.”

“Your Highness, please receive the imperial edict.” Zhao Hai had come in a hurry and naturally needed to leave in a hurry. Even though he had only left the palace for a short while, if the Emperor needed him and he wasn’t by his side, it would be a serious offense.

So he dispensed with the pleasantries and directly took out the imperial edict.

“Eunuch Zhao, I think there’s no need for us to be so… ahem…” Shen Yian blinked, his eyes hinting at something.

I know you’re busy, and I’m busy too. Let’s get this over with quickly.

“Your Highness… this isn’t according to protocol.”

“Oh come on, Eunuch Zhao, you’ve already come like this, hmm?” Shen Yian raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Hai glanced at the length of the imperial edict and resigned himself. He handed over the edict and presented Emperor Wu’s rewards to Shen Yian.

The wooden box contained three jade tablets in ink-wash color. The jade bottle held a Nine-Lotus Life-Origin Pill.

The former needs no explanation, but the latter was created by National Master Lu Wenxuan using the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus, harnessing thunder tribulation to refine hundreds of spiritual herbs. It has the power to regenerate flesh and bone, and revive the soul. Even someone who has just breathed their last can be revived if they take this pill within a quarter of an hour!

If the Great Rejuvenation Pill is a spirit pill, then this Nine-Lotus Life-Origin Pill is an immortal pill – the kind that only immortals can refine, and each one used is one less in the world.

In the entire world, only Emperor Wu and Lu Wenxuan possessed this pill, and now there was one more person.

When Shen Yian received the jade bottle, his eyes inexplicably dimmed a little.

This pill previously had another name – the Nine-Turns Soul-Returning Pill. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the effect of defying fate and resurrecting the dead.

However, these ink-wash colored jade tablets did shock Shen Yian.

Why was the old man being so generous?

It must be fake!

He’s not trying to swindle money from me again, is he?

Back then, he only got one because he had come of age. After the old man thoroughly examined his potential, he was fortunate enough to receive a single ink-wash colored jade tablet to study the Eastern Emperor Scripture at the highest level of the Martial Pavilion.

Now, there were three whole jade tablets. This was nothing short of a windfall!

“Your Highness, this old servant will take his leave now!” Zhao Hai bowed respectfully.

“Eunuch Zhao, let me see you out.”

“Your Highness, please don’t trouble yourself further.”

Shen Yian was about to escort him to the door, but Zhao Hai stopped him.

Putting on his black hood, Zhao Hai clasped his hands behind his back and rose with the wind, floating back towards the imperial palace as light as a feather.

“Has Old Zhao reached the perfected realm of the Floating Step?” Shen Yian was surprised. This superior lightness skill required not only insight but more importantly, a certain state of mind. Ordinary people might not reach the great achievement realm in their entire lifetime, let alone the perfected realm.

A day in life, a lifetime for a mayfly.

The life of a mayfly is short, so naturally one must be willing to let go of many things to have no regrets.

Zhao Hai had long served by Emperor Wu’s side, holding the rank of First Class Chamberlain, considered the highest position among officials. Yet he possessed such a state of mind – it was truly terrifying.

Putting away his things, Shen Yian sighed, thinking that the old man really understood him, letting him choose his own rewards.

After his reflections, Shen Yian returned to the dining table and sat down. Eating was important; he needed to finish his meal so he could go tease that silly girl.

“Mendu!”

“Your Highness!”

“Prepare the carriage!”

“Your Highness! Miss Ye is here to visit!”

“Hm?” Shen Yian thought he had misheard and instinctively asked, “Who’s visiting?”

“Miss Ye from the Duke of State’s mansion is here to visit!” Mendu repeated carefully, afraid that Shen Yian hadn’t heard clearly.

Shen Yian was stunned. What day was it today? Why were good things coming one after another?

Ye Liyan had actually come to see him on her own initiative.

“Quickly! Mendu! Bring out my best tea and brew it. Also, find a few quick-footed people, let Cheng Hai lead them, and go through the back door to the Flower Village Teahouse. Get double portions of all the new pastries! And four portions of snow beauty rice balls!”

“Then send someone to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Tell the manager to close for the day and bring all the chefs to my mansion. We’re having a feast!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mendu nodded repeatedly and hurried off to arrange everything, not daring to be negligent. It was the first time he had seen His Highness prepare such a grand reception for a guest.

Apart from the Emperor himself, only this future queen could make His Highness so attentive.

At the main gate, the carriage from the Duke of State’s mansion stopped, and two accompanying guards carried down a red wooden box.

“Greetings Your Highness the King of Chu.”

Everyone bowed as Shen Yian walked out.

“At ease.”

“Why did you come?”

Now that she was at his doorstep, what did Shen Yian care about outsiders seeing? He stepped forward and took Ye Liyan’s small hand.

Under her gauze hat, Ye Liyan lowered her head and said shyly, “Liyan boldly made a set of robes for Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will like them.”

In this context, making clothes meant they were genuinely sewn stitch by stitch by her own hand.

Shen Yian’s heart warmed when he saw the red wooden box, and he instinctively looked at Ye Liyan’s small hands: “Thank you for your hard work. Did you hurt your hands?”

Needlework often led to injured hands, which was why he asked instinctively.

“Please don’t worry, Your Highness. Liyan didn’t hurt her hands.” Ye Liyan smiled gently, even showing both her small hands to Shen Yian, afraid he might worry.

“That’s good.” Shen Yian smiled with relief, holding her hand tightly as he said, “Welcome to this King’s mansion. The servants can take the box to my room. Let me show you around first.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Ye Liyan nodded obediently, lifting her skirt to follow Shen Yian across the threshold.

Suddenly, her head felt lighter as Shen Yian removed her gauze hat.

“You’re not allowed to wear this here in my place.”