Chapter 130: A Grand Show

His grandson dislikes political scheming and is not good at intrigue. He is destined not for the high halls of the court, but for the distant world of the jianghu.

His grandson also has a dream.

Namely, to roam the world with a sword, measuring it step by step!

But the world outside is fraught with danger; without great strength, even a single step is hard.

Therefore, he has persistently sought a patron for him, a master from whom he can learn genuine skills, so that he can fulfill his dream!

"Child, Grandfather does not expect you to bring glory to the family, nor expect the Ling Residence to remain ever glorious; Grandfather only hopes that your life can… be boundlessly free!"

Ling Zhengrong's tone softened, filled with deep affection, and his already graying hair seemed to take on a few more shades of snow.

Stars shift, constellations turn, ages change; nothing can remain eternally immortal.

The Ling Residence is no different.

Great prosperity inevitably declines, extremes inevitably reverse; this is a natural law that no one can change.

These years, the Ling Residence's ancestral incense has waned, and he had long sensed it.

Since life and death are fated and wealth is in heaven, why not let go of everything and live as one wishes?

Ling Shaoyang felt a deep stir in his heart, and in his dark eyes, a light flickered.

"But, Grandfather…"

"You need not say more; Grandfather understands. You do not wish to be that villain, so Grandfather will become one!"

Ling Zhengrong waved his hand, and after speaking, turned and left.

In a private room on the second floor of a street‑side teahouse, Mu Qingrou and Ye Huanhuan sat opposite each other, sipping tea.

"I heard Lord Ling disapproved of Ling Shaoyang taking Ye Qingran as his master; yesterday he stormed to the Training Ground, and in front of many, scolded Ling Shaoyang harshly!"

Ye Huanhuan paused mid‑sip, set down her teacup, and looked up at Mu Qingrou, "Is that true?"

"Absolutely true! I have a well‑connected friend who happened to be at the Training Ground of the Ling Residence at that time and heard everything clearly. He said the Lord had already found a master for Ling Shaoyang and, no matter what, would not allow him to take Ye Qingran as master!"

Ye Huanhuan curled the corner of her mouth and sneered, "Ling Shaoyang is a greenhorn, ignorant of worldly ways; does the Lord not understand that? Apart from being an excellent archer, Ye Qingran is merely a talentless waste who cannot cultivate; how could she be fit to be Ling Shaoyang's master? The Lord's refusal is unsurprising."

Mu Qingrou nodded, "But Ling Shaoyang is also single‑minded, insisting on keeping a promise—so foolish! As long as he refuses, I won't believe that Ye Qingran could do anything to the Ling Residence."

Ye Huanhuan snorted, "After all, he's one of the three oddities of Xiliang City; like attracts like, and he and Ye Qingran happen to be a perfect match of foul smell!"

"That's true!"

Mu Qingrou strongly agreed.

"Let me tell you some good news: my marriage to the Crown Prince has already been settled," Ye Huanhuan's eyes fluttered as she recalled something, saying shyly yet happily.

Mu Qingrou's eyes brightened, "Really? When will the wedding be held?"

"The day after the Mid‑Autumn Festival."

Mu Qingrou calculated the dates and realized there were only a few months left.

"Huanhuan, you'll soon become the Crown Princess of Donglin; you'll have to be a model mother to the world! Congratulations, I'm truly happy for you!"

"You are my good sister; if I become a consort later, I will of course not forget you."

……

At that moment, a commotion rose outside the street‑side window; a rider on a high‑headed horse galloped through the street, followed by several guards.

Ye Huanhuan looked down, her eyes flashing.

"They're from the Ling Residence! The one leading must be Lord Ling himself, no doubt!"

Mu Qingrou also stood, perched at the window, and saw the backs of several people.

"The Lord must be going to find Ye Qingran!" Mu Qingrou's face showed excitement, and she hurried, "Huanhuan, let's rush to the Ye Residence; we can't miss this good show!"

"Hold on, let's send someone to inform Ling Shaoyang, and also notify the other young masters and ladies of the estates; we'll all go watch a good show together!"

Ye Huanhuan said softly.

Mu Qingrou heard this and a malicious smile gradually spread across her face.

In this wing, Ling Zhengrong rode a high‑headed horse, dust‑covered, arrived at the Ye Residence, and presented a letter of tribute.

Inside the residence, Ye Yu heard that the Lord of the Ling Residence had arrived and was startled. The Lord, who spent his youth in camps or battlefields and had no literary or martial connection with him, now, being older, lives a reclusive life.

"What does Lord Ling want here?"

Ye Yu could not fathom it, but knew this was a distinguished guest even His Majesty would not neglect, so after changing clothes and washing his face, he went out personally to greet him.

"I wonder what wind has blown Lord Ling here?"

Ling Zhengrong looked at Ye Yu, his complexion not very good. He was a former general, rough‑tempered, and could not play the games of scholars.

More importantly, he could not stand Ye Yu.

He came from a military family, seasoned by countless battles, and had always praised the junior Yun Sui Feng. Yet he never imagined that the extraordinarily talented and stunning female general would suddenly marry the good‑for‑nothing Ye Yu, which had infuriated him greatly back then. Since she was not his own daughter, he had no standing to say anything.

He could only harbor his displeasure toward Ye Yu in his heart.

After Yun Sui Feng married Ye Yu, she passed away only a few years later, which only deepened his dislike for Ye Yu!

Ye Yu put on a friendly smile, his demeanor tinged with a certain sleaziness.

Ling Zhengrong stared at him expressionlessly; the iron‑blooded visage forged on the battlefield made Ye Yu inwardly startled. His gaze was like lightning, seeming to pierce through the surface into the heart, causing Ye Yu to dare not meet his eyes.

Ling Zhengrong clasped his fists and got straight to the point, "Prime Minister Ye, I'll speak plainly: I have come today for Ye Qingran!"

Ye Qingran again?!

Ye Yu felt a bit dazed.

Since my eldest daughter returned, the Ye Residence has received more distinguished guests, but none seeking the current Prime Minister—rather, they all come for Ye Qingran?

That daughter, though recently performing well—defeating Mu Qingrou and the Seventh Prince, and taking first place in the hunting tournament—still remains, after all, a talentless waste who cannot cultivate!

On this continent that values martial prowess above all, her usefulness is truly limited!

If possible, he hopes these distinguished guests come more for his second daughter, Ye Huanhuan; should she become Crown Princess or even Empress, it would bring him greater benefits.

"Qingran?" Ye Yu snapped back, and ordered the startled attendant behind him, "Go to Ting Yu Xuan, bring the young lady to the front hall, and tell her that Lord Ling of the Ling Residence is looking for her."

Having said that, Ye Yu again led Ling Zhengrong to the front hall.

In the front hall, Ye Yu had a servant pour tea for Ling Zhengrong, pondered a moment, then asked tentatively, "My daughter is unruly and unaware of propriety; I do not know how she has offended you, Lord Ling."

In Ye Yu's stereotypical view, Ye Qingran must have been at fault first.

Ling Zhengrong said calmly, "Prime Minister Ye, please calm down; Ye Qingran has not offended me. Rather, there is a matter for which I ask her to grant me this favor."

Ye Qingran didn't cause trouble?

Prime Minister Ye, flattered and startled, said, "Lord Ling, what are you saying? If you have any orders, just speak them directly; you are too kind to us."

Ling Zhengrong glanced at Ye Yu, seeing his fawning smile and obsequious demeanor, and couldn't help but despise him even more.

Back then, what did that girl Yun Sui Feng see in Ye Yu?

Truly puzzling!

Soon after, a commotion came from outside.