"Enough, don't bother with such trivial matters," Liang Rujing said, not taking offense. "In any case, they are all my good friends. Third Brother, you must not harm my friends!"
"I understand..." The burly man then completely vanished, weakly sheathing his blade.
"Let me introduce you," she said, turning to Ye Fan. "This is my second brother, the Second Prince, Liang Meikong."
"Ye Fan, is it?" Liang Meikong's imposing aura returned as he addressed Ye Fan. "Boy, where are you from? What sect do you belong to? Under whose jurisdiction is your sect?"
Liang Meikong bombarded Ye Fan with a barrage of questions, as if he were digging up the entire history of Ye Fan's ancestors.
"Hmm?" Liang Rujing narrowed her eyes and glanced at him.
"Ninth Sister, please don't misunderstand!" Liang Meikong shriveled his neck. "I'm just asking casually... casually..."
"Oh, right!" Liang Rujing seemed to recall something and excitedly looked at Ye Fan. "My second brother happens to have a vacant manor in the East District. Why don't you all stay there?"
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Ye Fan hesitated.
"Not at all!" Liang Rujing's eyes brightened as she saw an opening. "The two elder sisters need a quiet environment for their cultivation. A noisy place like an inn would disturb them!"
"Two senior sisters, what do you think?" Ye Fan turned to look at them.
What Liang Rujing said made sense. It all depended on their decision now.
"We are fine with whatever," the two senior sisters replied.
Ye Fan then turned to Liang Meikong, as it was his house after all.
"It's fine, you don't need to look at him," Liang Rujing said generously. "This matter is settled!"
Liang Meikong felt very wronged.
Is it really appropriate to decide without even asking me?
That manor was something I worked so hard to acquire!
"Second Brother, you will definitely agree, right?" Liang Rujing still turned to ask.
Liang Meikong felt like he didn't want to speak...
"Hmm?" Liang Rujing narrowed her eyes again. "Does Second Brother have any objections?"
As she spoke, a mysterious aura emanated from Liang Rujing.
To Liang Meikong, this aura could be described in one word.
Danger!
"Ninth Sister, you misunderstand!" Liang Meikong said seriously. "Since it's your friends who want to stay, I absolutely support it with both hands!"
"I was just wondering if it needed some cleaning first," Liang Meikong quickly added to make his words more believable. "It's been vacant for a long time, so it might be a bit messy."
An hour later.
Ye Fan and his companions successfully arrived at Liang Meikong's manor.
Upon seeing the manor, Ye Fan could only think: As expected of a prince's arrangement, it's truly luxurious!
"Ye Fan, I'm heading back to the palace now. I'll visit you again another day," Liang Rujing said reluctantly as they parted.
"Yes, you are always welcome," Ye Fan smiled and nodded.
"Brother Ye, rest assured, no one will disturb you here," Liang Meikong said, pointing to the guards beside him. "For the time being, let them serve as your attendants. Feel free to order them around, don't be polite."
"Thank you, Second Prince," Ye Fan replied politely.
Ye Fan thought to himself: Attendants? I think it's more like surveillance...
However, he didn't pay much attention to it.
After all, he had no intention of doing anything clandestine.
After the siblings left, the two senior sisters went to their rooms to study, giving a brief greeting.
Although Liang Meikong had claimed the manor was messy, it was actually cleaned meticulously every day.
The two great lords, however, squatted by an anthill, engrossed in watching.
They had been deprived of the chance to watch ants for over a month and were truly restless!
"Brother, could you lend me a hand?" Ye Fan waved over a guard.
"Young Master Ye, please instruct me," the guard replied respectfully.
Although they were assigned by Liang Meikong to monitor Ye Fan, they had to maintain appearances.
"Could you please help me connect the signal?" Ye Fan handed over his communication jade.
He hadn't had any signal on the road and couldn't contact True Person Ziyun.
Now that they were in the imperial city, it was time to inform her to pick them up.
Who knows what kind of trouble the Second Elder and the others might cause by staying in the imperial city...
The guard fiddled with it for a moment and soon helped Ye Fan complete the signal connection task.
After connecting to the 'wifi', Ye Fan connected to True Person Ziyun's communication jade.
"Oh, my good disciple?" True Person Ziyun's image appeared, looking very happy. "You've reached the imperial city? Did anything happen on the way?"
"I found the Second Elder," Ye Fan went straight to the point, simultaneously aiming the camera at the Second Elder.
"Alright, I understand," True Person Ziyun replied indifferently.
Ye Fan: ???
What?
You have such an attitude about finding the Second Elder, a major event?
"Where are your two senior sisters?" True Person Ziyun asked, puzzled. "Why don't I see them?"
"They've returned to their rooms to cultivate," Ye Fan's mouth twitched. "I mean, Master, shouldn't you send someone to pick up the Second Elder?"
"With the Second Elder by your side, what else do I have to worry about?"
"No, Master, you..."
"Alright, I have things to do, I'll hang up now."
True Person Ziyun ended the communication.
Ye Fan: ???
When I have question marks in my heart, it's not because I have a problem, but because *you*, Master, have a problem!
Ye Fan, unwilling to give up, contacted True Person Ziyun again.
The communication jade lit up with a yellow light.
The yellow light indicated that the other party was currently unavailable and to leave a message.
Ye Fan suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore...
Forget it...
I'll endure it...
The Imperial Palace of the Great Liang Kingdom.
Fengyi Palace.
"Your humble subject pays respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress," Liang Rujing respectfully greeted the Emperor and Empress.
"Little Nine, did you have fun playing outside this time?" Emperor Liang Dekui said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, it was so fun outside!" Liang Rujing nodded like a pecking chicken. "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, let me tell you, I encountered so many interesting things..."
Liang Rujing chattered away to her parents, recounting all the enjoyable events of her journey.
An hour later.
"Alright, you must be tired from your journey, go back and rest quickly," the Empress said, stroking Liang Rujing's head dotingly. "You're so grown up, yet you're still like a little child..."
After arranging for Liang Rujing to return to her own palace to bathe, Granny Li returned to Fengyi Palace.
"Tell me, what is the deal with this Ye Fan?" the Emperor asked faintly, exuding an aura of authority.
Liang Dekui knew his clever and mischievous daughter all too well.
Her account of how she met Ye Fan could only be taken as a reference.
Perhaps not even a reference...
"Your Majesty, the situation is similar to what Ninth Highness described," Grandma Li replied respectfully. "However, she didn't chance upon Ye Fan; she followed the scent when she was looking for Little Guai..."
Her duty was not only to protect Liang Rujing but also to report truthfully everything that happened to Liang Rujing.
If necessary, she would report even how many times Liang Rujing talked in her sleep each day, word for word.
Liang Dekui and his wife's mouths twitched.
As expected.
This is so like Little Nine...
Then, Grandma Li recounted how she had been suppressed by Ye Fan.
"However, I do have a doubt," Grandma Li said, puzzled. "That is, I can't determine if Ye Fan himself is powerful, or if he has a strong individual secretly protecting him."
She had pondered this question for a long time on their journey back.
Although the pressure had emanated from Ye Fan at the time, it was not impossible that a hidden expert had intervened.
"I understand, you may withdraw," the Emperor waved his hand, dismissing Grandma Li.
"Your Majesty, should we add more personnel to Meikong's manor?" Grandma Li asked worriedly after leaving. "After all, the guards under Meikong are still somewhat insufficient."
"Not for now," Liang Dekui shook his head. "Being able to suppress Li Xiulian, his strength is likely comparable to those esteemed Enshrinements."
Then, Liang Dekui turned to look out the window and murmured.
"It seems this year's Imperial City Grand Competition will be quite lively."