"Sir!"
At that moment, Si Nan and Shi Sheng, also on horseback, rode over.
"Move out!"
With a wave of his hand, the group spurred their horses toward the outskirts of the city.
After becoming a Hundred Household Officer, he would have more cases to handle.
This time, the location was still outside the imperial capital. They probably would not even make it back by nightfall.
"He really said that?"
Inside the Imperial Brothel, Yan Shuzhu, who had long been waiting for Lü Lan's return, could not help raising her brows as she listened to the report.
"Young Master, you..."
Worried that Yan Shuzhu would be angered by this, Lü Lan was just about to offer some words of persuasion.
To her surprise, Yan Shuzhu suddenly slapped the table before her and cried out in delight.
"I had thought the Brocade Guard was already nothing but a heap of people squatting in their positions and drawing their pay. I never expected there to still be such a great talent."
Though she had only heard Lü Lan relay it, Yan Shuzhu still felt her blood stir with excitement.
This was the talent she truly needed. Upright and incorruptible was good—this was precisely the uprightness and incorruptibility she wanted.
Just as Ye Liuyun had expected.
Not only did Yan Shuzhu feel no displeasure at his conduct, she admired it immensely.
"Lü Lan!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Lü Lan had still been somewhat dazed, but upon hearing Yan Shuzhu call for her, she hurriedly responded and looked over.
"It does not matter that you could not invite him this time. Keep an eye on things and see when that Ye Liufeng is free. It will be fine to invite him again next time."
If he truly was a talent, what did it matter if she had been rebuffed? What was wrong with extending the invitation a few more times?
Her master was the Son of Heaven. Though it did not feel quite right, considering that Ye Liuyun did not know her master's identity, along with his upright and incorruptible attitude at the time...
After hesitating for a moment, Lü Lan still answered seriously.
"Yes!"
It was clear.
Although Ye Liuyun had not been invited tonight, Yan Shuzhu was in an exceptionally good mood.
There was not the slightest hint of anger on her face.
On Ye Liuyun's side, they did not arrive at their destination until late evening.
The location of this case was a small town not far from the imperial capital. The Brocade Guard's jurisdiction spread across every inch of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Basically, the Brocade Guard had the authority to intervene in any case within the dynasty.
"Honored sirs, please come inside quickly."
Once they arrived, the other party hurried over to welcome them.
This case was not particularly complicated. Wang Yuanwai's household in this town had received a letter left in advance by a Flower Plucking Thief, which was why he had sought the Brocade Guard's aid.
Ye Liuyun first had someone look after the horses, then led the rest of the group into Wang Yuanwai's residence.
The estate was quite large and clearly wealthy. Its courtyards alone were even more spacious than those of Ye Liuyun's own residence.
Still, this was only a small town far from the imperial capital.
"Honored sirs have traveled such a long way. Why not rest your feet first? I have already ordered wine and dishes prepared. Could we discuss the rest after you have eaten?"
Wang Yuanwai was indeed a businessman.
He was extremely skilled at dealing with officials, handling himself with effortless ease.
"Since it is Wang Yuanwai's kind intention, then we shall not stand on ceremony!"
Ye Liuyun had never been one to wrong himself. Since everything had already been arranged, why refuse?
"Sir, please come this way!"
It was better if they did not stand on ceremony. Wang Yuanwai's expression brightened, and he quickly led Ye Liuyun and the others deeper into the residence.
During the meal, Wang Yuanwai kept having the maids pour wine.
Taking the opportunity, Ye Liuyun asked Wang Yuanwai to bring over the letter left by the Flower Plucking Thief.
'Heard that Wang Yuanwai's newly wed concubine possesses beauty that could topple kingdoms and cities. I greatly yearn to behold her, and shall savor her tonight at the Zi Hour. I hope Wang Yuanwai will grant his consent.'
A name had even been deliberately left at the end: Hua Wenxuan!
There were not many words, but Ye Liuyun nearly laughed when he read them.
This Flower Plucking Thief was rather polite. He had even made a point of informing them before making his move.
Ye Liuyun casually handed the letter to Si Nan.
"Have you heard of this Hua Wenxuan?"
"Hua Wenxuan?" Si Nan pondered for a moment, then immediately said when he recalled it.
"I have heard a little. He is a notorious Flower Plucking Thief in the martial world. Although his cultivation is only second-rate, his lightness skill is truly remarkable. He comes without a shadow and goes without a trace; few people can catch up to him."
That made sense.
If a Flower Plucking Thief did not have good lightness skill, he would have long since been caught and hacked to death.
"I must trouble you, sir!"
Just as Ye Liuyun was considering the matter, Wang Yuanwai spoke from the side.
"I have only just passed sixty and am in the prime of life. I had hoped to take a concubine and add a few more descendants to the family, yet I was targeted by such a bastard. Sir, you must help me capture this thief!"
Just past sixty, in the prime of life?
What an oddly niche phrase.
However, seeing the stack of banknotes Wang Yuanwai silently passed over from beneath his sleeve, Ye Liuyun immediately said with a solemn expression.
"What I hate most in this life are Flower Plucking Thieves. They learn some martial arts only to bully women—they are simply the shame of all martial artists under heaven. Wang Yuanwai, rest assured. With us Brocade Guards here, so long as this thief enters the residence, we will seize him at once!"
"Good, good, good!"
Hearing Ye Liuyun say this, Wang Yuanwai nodded gratefully.
In truth, in this day and age, concubines held very low status—at most, they ranked only slightly above maids. Some people even took pleasure in giving their concubines away to others.
The reason Wang Yuanwai was acting so earnestly was not because he loved his concubine so much. It was purely a matter of face.
If people learned that his newly wed concubine had been had by a Flower Plucking Thief, how could he continue to hold his head up around here afterward?
That night, while the sky had not yet completely darkened, Ye Liuyun had people gather some information from the surrounding area.
Once night fell.
He stationed more than a dozen Brocade Guards around the courtyard of Wang Yuanwai's concubine, guarding it so tightly that not even water could seep through.
As for Ye Liuyun himself, he brought Si Nan and Shi Sheng to another courtyard.
"Sir, I still do not understand. Wasn't the Flower Plucking Thief Hua Wenxuan targeting Wang Yuanwai's concubine? Why have we come to the courtyard of Wang Yuanwai's daughter?"
This courtyard belonged to Wang Yuanwai's daughter.
Though they had not seen what she looked like, according to the Brocade Guards who had previously gone into town to gather information.
Wang Yuanwai's youngest daughter was extraordinarily beautiful, with beauty that could topple kingdoms and cities. She was a renowned beauty throughout the surrounding region.
Seeing the confusion in Shi Sheng's eyes, Ye Liuyun shook his head and said.
"According to the information we received, Hua Wenxuan only left letters in advance on a few occasions before targeting a woman. Most of the time, he acted in secret, terrified of being discovered."
Being a Flower Plucking Thief was hardly a respectable reputation.
Sending a letter to the victim before making a move—unless he had mush for brains, no one would do that.
"Those who received letters were all people incapable of resisting him. Do you understand now?"
Before you continue