I Thought You Couldn't Read

It was like a cat playing with a mouse.

Precisely because the hunter knew the prey was incapable of resisting, they would first taunt it, not rushing to make a move.

This was to savor the prey's desperate feeling of fleeing in panic yet being powerless to resist.

But this Wang Yuanwai was clearly not someone easy to deal with. Normally, any flower thief with a brain would never think of leaving a letter before making a move.

Wouldn't that just put the other party on guard for no reason?

"So that's it!"

Si Nan, who was standing nearby, clearly thought of something after hearing Ye Liuyun's words, and his eyes showed sudden understanding.

His gaze towards Ye Liuyun became filled with admiration.

"As expected of Milord!"

Even he, without Ye Liuyun's reminder, probably wouldn't have thought of this point.

"No, don't speak in riddles. Just say what you thought of directly."

But this behavior couldn't help but make Shi Sheng scratch his ears and cheeks. So, he was the only one who couldn't figure it out.

Seeing Si Nan preparing to explain, Ye Liuyun directly waved his hand and said,

"Think for yourself. If you can't figure it out, you won't ride a horse anymore; you'll walk back to the Imperial City yourself."

Ye Liuyun still valued Shi Sheng quite a bit. It wouldn't do if, whenever he encountered a problem in the future, he only knew how to solve it with his fists. This was a good opportunity to train him.

"This..."

Shi Sheng was a bit flustered, while Si Nan on the side started laughing gleefully.

"If you really can't figure it out, you can start running back now. Maybe by tomorrow morning, we can meet in the Imperial City."

Opportunities to tease Shi Sheng were rare, and Si Nan didn't want to miss out.

Glancing at Si Nan like this, Ye Liuyun said in a calm tone,

"If he can't figure it out, you'll run back with him."

Si Nan: ???

No, how did this involve me? I knew I shouldn't have teased him.

Seeing Shi Sheng's gaze towards him suddenly become somewhat gleeful, Si Nan immediately said,

"You still have time to laugh? Hurry up and think! Are you really planning to run back to the Imperial City?"

"..."

Although he was a First-Rate Martial Artist, Shi Sheng himself was not skilled in lightness techniques. If he really had to run that far, it would probably be as Si Nan said, he could start now.

After scratching his ears and cheeks for a while.

Shi Sheng suddenly realized something, and his expression brightened with joy.

"I know!"

It seems Shi Sheng, though usually a bit simple-minded, is quite quick to react when something happens, isn't he?

Ye Liuyun nodded in satisfaction and said to Shi Sheng, "Tell me."

"Sir, you must have taken a fancy to this Wang Yuanwai's youngest daughter."

"..."

Ye Liuyun's previously smiling face froze. Even Si Nan, who had just relaxed, looked at Shi Sheng with a strange gaze.

Shi Sheng didn't notice this. He rubbed his chin with one hand and analyzed to himself. "Speaking of which, although I haven't met her, everyone outside says this Wang Yuanwai's youngest daughter is a beauty of unparalleled charm. I suppose she's worthy of you, Sir."

What a thorough analysis.

Ye Liuyun didn't respond but said directly, "Tomorrow, you carry Si Nan back to the Imperial City!"

"No, Sir, I really can't think of anything else. It's not possible that the flower thief isn't targeting Wang Yuanwai's concubine, but Wang Yuanwai's daughter, is it?"

Shi Sheng knew very well that he was truly not good at this kind of analysis. In the past, when dealing with such cases, his subordinates would investigate, and he only needed to be responsible for the final action.

"Didn't you just figure it out?"

Si Nan rolled his eyes at Shi Sheng, somewhat speechless. But he also felt a bit of pity; being carried back to the Imperial City by Shi Sheng seemed quite interesting.

"Uh!"

Shi Sheng hadn't expected that a casual remark of his would actually hit the truth.

"Since that flower thief is targeting Wang Yuanwai's daughter, why does the letter say it's Wang Yuanwai's concubine? Oh!"

As he spoke, Shi Sheng's face showed sudden realization. "I know, diverting the tiger from its mountain!"

"You actually know 'diverting the tiger from its mountain'? I thought you were illiterate?"

As soon as these words came out, Si Nan looked at Shi Sheng with a look of novelty, as if he had a new understanding of Shi Sheng.

"Get lost!"

Shi Sheng glared at Si Nan in annoyance. What does my literacy have to do with whether I know the meaning of 'diverting the tiger from its mountain'?

Too lazy to bother with Si Nan, Shi Sheng immediately looked at Ye Liuyun. "Sir, am I right?"

"You still have some brains."

Thankfully, at least he's not completely brainless. If he stays by my side and investigates a few more cases in the future, he can still improve.

"Wang Yuanwai is not an ordinary family. His mansion has many servants. That flower thief probably knows that if he's discovered midway, he might not be able to leave. That's why he came up with such a method, to focus everyone's attention on Wang Yuanwai's concubine."

"Instead, they neglected the attention on Wang Yuanwai's daughter!"

Saying this, Ye Liuyun pointed around. There were hardly any servants guarding the area around Wang Yuanwai's daughter's courtyard. Clearly, they had all been assigned to the area around the concubine's courtyard.

"What if it's not?"

Shi Sheng couldn't help but scratch his head. It's so itchy, I feel like my brain is growing.

"That's why I arranged the other Brocade Guards over there. If something unexpected happens, with so many Brocade Guards there, there's nothing to worry about."

"So that's how it is!"

After hearing these words, Shi Sheng nodded in realization. As for Wang Yuanwai's daughter's side, with the three of them there, dealing with a mere flower thief was enough.

"Sir's calculations are flawless. This subordinate is truly impressed!"

Only Si Nan could say such flattering words.

Ye Liuyun waved his hand indifferently, not paying much attention. Logically, a case like this involving a flower thief could be handled by a regular Banner Officer, but Wang Yuanwai paid a lot, which is why a Centurion was assigned.

So, while money isn't everything, it's absolutely impossible to do without it. This saying is useful in any era.

"Miss, why are these Brocade Guards in our courtyard?"

Ye Liuyun and the others were sitting in the courtyard, not entering the house to disturb. Inside the house, besides Wang Yuanwai's youngest daughter, Wang Mu'er, there were also a few maids.

Listening to the maid's words, a thought flashed in Wang Mu'er's eyes. Although she was a woman, due to her family background, Wang Mu'er had learned to read and write from a young age and was proficient in all the arts. She was inherently a clever person.

She quickly understood why these people were guarding here. Through the window, she glanced at Ye Liuyun and the others sitting in the courtyard, then turned to the maid beside her and said, "Have the servants warm a pot of hot wine and send it to the three sirs. Also, prepare some snacks."

"Yes, Miss!"

The maids dared not object to Wang Mu'er's words and nodded in agreement.