Chapter 423: The Unspoken Note

Ye Liuyun waited until he sat down, then helped Xiong Batian to his feet. But he did not sit; he respectfully stood aside. After all, this was the Leader of the Imperial Guard of the Golden Peng Dynasty and also an elder—Ye Liuyun still had the sense to observe proper etiquette and would not sit as an equal with him.

Xiong Wuli, upon seeing him, felt quite satisfied, and without showing any emotion, asked Ye Liuyun about his background.

"Old man, aren't you being a bother asking so many questions?" Xiong Batian heard himself growing a bit impatient.

"Get out!" Xiong Wuli sprang up, kicking Xiong Batian out of the bamboo grove with a single foot. "Go prepare some wine and dishes for your brother; the few of us elders will drink together."

Xiong Batian, hearing that, immediately scampered off to summon someone to arrange the wine and dishes.

Xiong Wuli apologetically smiled at Ye Liuyun: "Made you, little Ye, watch a comedy! This kid lacks discipline and doesn't know etiquette. To be able to befriend a courteous child like you is also his luck."

Ye Liuyun immediately replied respectfully: "Uncle, you're being too harsh! Brother Xiong may be a bit coarse in words and actions, but he's a good person and not as careless as he appears. He's also very loyal and sentimental."

"Sigh, that loyalty and sentiment aren't necessarily a good thing. I'm afraid he'll cause trouble for our family. You don't realize that my position is being watched by many; a slight misstep could implicate the whole clan."

Xiong Wuli, while appearing to complain about Xiong Batian, was actually warning Ye Liuyun not to bring trouble onto the Xiong family.

Ye Liuyun understood the unspoken meaning and replied: "Indeed! I originally didn't want to come, but Brother Xiong was so enthusiastic that he dragged me here. I'll be leaving the Golden Peng Dynasty in a few days, so I won't stay long."

By saying that, Ye Liuyun meant to reassure him that he didn't intend to involve the Xiong family.

"Hahaha! That stinky kid Bà Tiān, how can he make a friend suffer so much! It just shows you have a good temperament and can tolerate him." Xiong Wuli immediately understood—it must be his own son, overly enthusiastic, who dragged the person here.

Just from Ye Liuyun's few replies, he realized Ye Liuyun was no ordinary person.

"I warned him not to cause trouble for my Xiong family, yet he said he didn't want to come. Doesn't that imply the kid might indeed cause trouble, hence his reluctance? And he said he'll leave in a few days, so he won't stick around if trouble arises, right?" Xiong Wuli seemed carefree, but after years in officialdom he quickly grasped Ye Liuyun's meaning.

"Stay at our house tonight; the two of you brothers can get closer," Xiong Wuli said at once.

Ye Liuyun understood it was a test, and politely declined: "No, I'll go back to my own place. Brother Xiong has been so kind to me; I don't want to trouble him."

He also understood Xiong Wuli's feelings and didn't want to involve Xiong Batian.

When Ye Liuyun said that, Xiong Wuli immediately understood that Ye Liuyun might indeed cause trouble. But he could never have imagined that Ye Liuyun intended to scheme against the queen.

"Fine, Uncle won't force you! But because of your bond with Bà Tiān, stay a while and have a drink with Uncle," Xiong Wuli said immediately.

"Then I'll be a bother to Uncle!" Ye Liuyun replied without hesitation. It's just a meal; it won't cause them any trouble.

Bà Tiān quickly returned, even running to his father's room and bringing out a jar of wine. "Come taste my father's treasured brew; it's wonderfully fragrant!"

"The little wine my father stored has been ruined by you!" Xiong Wuli said, though he didn't stop anything. In a short while, the servants served the dishes, and the group began to eat and drink.

"Brother, I'll have someone arrange lodging for you later; don't leave then!" During the meal, Bà Tiān again mentioned having Ye Liuyun stay.

Ye Liuyun gave Xiong Wuli an awkward glance, then said: "Brother Xiong, I appreciate your kindness. However, we brothers aren't in a hurry right now. I have matters this time and can't stay long; next time I come, I'll visit you again, just the same!"

Xiong Wuli added, "Exactly! When will your impatient nature change, to be as steady as Liuyun!"

Bà Tiān thought it over and said, "Alright, alright! But we agreed—next time you come, you must stay here, or I'll be angry with you!"

"Fine, a promise is a promise," Ye Liuyun said, raising his wine cup. "I toast Uncle and Brother with this bowl; thank you for the hospitality!" He then drank it in one gulp.

"No need for politeness! You're Brother Bà Tiān, essentially family to us!" Xiong Wuli also downed his in one gulp.

"You kid, that's how pretentious you are!" Bà Tiān muttered, then also drank it in one gulp.

Only after they were full of wine and food did Ye Liuyun return to his lodging.

As soon as he returned to the inn, Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense detected that someone nearby was watching him. Since he had been sent back by Bà Tiān, those people made no move—just surveillance.

Ye Liuyun guessed that the watchers were sent by the princess. That shrewd princess really is petty and holds grudges!

After Bà Tiān returned, Xiong Wuli directly sent him to the Imperial Guard barracks, claiming he caused trouble everywhere and even offended the princess, so he would undergo a half‑month training as punishment.

Xiong Wuli was worried about his involvement with Ye Liuyun's affairs. Though he couldn't guess what Ye Liuyun intended, he had a premonition it wasn't a minor issue; otherwise Ye Liuyun wouldn't avoid staying at their home. Minor troubles he could handle.

Fortunately, Ye Liuyun genuinely wanted to befriend Bà Tiān; otherwise the Xiong family would have been jeopardized. If it weren't for Ye Liuyun's potential troublemaking, he would still be delighted that his son had made such a friend.

After returning, Ye Liuyun felt a bit down. He still envied Bà Tiān, who had a father caring for and worrying about him. He also didn't know how his own parents were doing now!

Lying on the bed, Ye Liuyun dared not fall asleep; his Divine Sense kept watching the outside sounds. At the same time, he thought of his parents and his aunt. Whenever he feels this lonely, he can recall them.

Lei Ming sensed his melancholy, instantly taking human form and slipping into Ye Liuyun's blanket to embrace him.

"Can't you just put your clothes on?" Ye Liuyun casually hugged him; the touch of his smooth, supple skin made him recoil as if shocked.

"No, I don't like wearing clothes; I want to hold you like this, little brother! Besides, little brother, you've already taken Sister Su, so take me too, okay?" Lei Ming looked at Ye Liuyun and said boldly.

"You're still young, you don't know anything! I did it to save her life, not out of any intention!"

"I'm already an adult! Little brother, are you looking down on me?" Lei Ming felt a bit aggrieved, thinking Ye Liuyun despised her as a Monster Beast.

"Silly girl, how could I reject you! Rest assured, I will never reject you! It's just that I'm not ready to consider such matters now, lest I hinder you." Ye Liuyun comforted her.

"That's not it! Sister Wu whispered to me that you rejecting us is what delays us! You already took Sister Su; you don't know how heartbroken Sister Wu and I are in private!"