Starting Reward – A Three Thousand Assassin Network
Chapter 11 - Ye Xue, Zhao Ling’er

Chapter 11 – Ye Xue, Zhao Ling’er Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Regarding Li Xiaozhong’s words, Xia Wuye disagreed. “I don’t believe that these two little girls have such extraordinary things in their heads. Every item in the Wan family Chamber of Commerce is exquisitely crafted and well-loved! Even the dragon throne I am sitting on right now was custom-made based on those chairs.”

At this point, Xia Wuye once again caressed the armrest of the dragon throne, showing his satisfaction with the chair. Although some wooden items could be replicated, those truly valuable things were elusive.

“It cannot be denied that the existence of the Wan family Chamber of Commerce has indeed improved the quality of life for the people of Great Xia. But, so much wealth being controlled by the Ye and Zhao families truly makes it difficult for me to sleep and eat peacefully!”

Hearing Xia Wuye’s words, Li Xiaozhong didn’t know how to respond. After all, the Ye and Zhao families were both prominent military families, each guarding Liangzhou and Qingzhou respectively, contributing significantly to Great Xia. No one dared to offend them easily. Moreover, these two families had an extremely good relationship; otherwise, Zhao Ling’er and Ye Xue would not have been able to jointly develop the Wan family Chamber of Commerce.

At this moment, a sudden idea flashed through Li Xiaozhong’s mind: “Your Majesty, I have a method, but I’m not sure if I should speak of it.”

“Oh, speak up!” Xia Wuye was somewhat interested.

“Zhao Ling’er and Ye Xue are both eighteen now, unmarried, and close in age to the Sixth and Seventh Princes. Why not …”

Here, Li Xiaozhong looked up at Xia Wuye.

“No!” Xia Wuye immediately denied it.

“The struggle within the royal family has never ceased throughout history. If the Sixth and Seventh Princes were to marry them, it would be equivalent to pulling the Ye and Zhao families into it. Their forces are too strong. Even I wouldn’t be able to control them, let alone those two.”

“Your Majesty, if these two women marry into the royal family, the Wan family Chamber of Commerce would fall into the hands of the royal family. In this way, it would be easier to investigate if there are others behind this Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, with the royal family’s relationship with the Ye and Zhao families established, they would also be considered relatives of the royal family. No matter what they do, at least on the surface, they would align with the royal family.” Li Xiaozhong was truly loyal to Great Xia, earnestly analyzing the interests involved.

“Hmm.” Xia Wuye frowned, tapping his index finger on the table continuously, seriously considering the matter.

“Although what you say has some merit, this matter is too significant. I need to consider it carefully. If there are no other urgent matters, you may leave for now!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” After Li Xiaozhong responded, he left to continue his guarding duties.

“Ye Family, Ye Family! You’ve coexisted with Great Xia for nearly three hundred years. If it weren’t for the ancestors, would you be so obedient?”

A trace of coldness flickered in Xia Wuye’s eyes. But then he thought of something else, and his expression instantly became incredibly distressed.

“Can the ancestor’s plan really succeed? Three-hundred-year-old martial family—how could they have no foundation? I refuse to believe it!”

At this moment, Xia Wuye turned to look at Cao Zhengde hidden in the shadows beside him and said, “Is the matter taken care of?”

“Your Majesty, this servant had already arranged it last night,” Cao Zhengde responded respectfully.

“Ye Family, let me see what kind of foundation you’re hiding.” Xia Wuye said indifferently.

…

On the other side, Liangzhou, Luo City, Great General’s Mansion.

At this moment, raindrops had begun to fall from the sky.

“The storm is finally here!” Ye Chen stood under the eaves, watching the raindrops in the courtyard.

“Young Master, news has come that your sister will be returning, probably within the next two days,” Tian Yan said, smiling lightly beside him.

“Oh no! That witch is coming back?” Ye Chen’s voice echoed through the Ye Mansion in an instant.

“What should I do? Should I hide for a couple of days, or go find Jiang Wenming? Forget it, that guy is unreliable. It’s better to find Su Xinfeng. Oh, it’s bothering me to no end!”

He placed one hand on his forehead, the other on his waist, pacing back and forth anxiously.

Seeing Ye Chen’s worried expression, Tian Yan covered her mouth and laughed.

“Young Master, is Xiao Xue really that terrifying?”

[TN: Xiao means little.]

Hearing this, Ye Chen immediately shook his head: “Terrifying? She’s not terrifying at all.”

“If she’s not terrifying, why are you so scared? Can your sister eat you up?” Tian Yan was very puzzled; in her understanding, Ye Xue got along quite well with Ye Chen and had a rather gentle temperament.

“If she were terrifying, I wouldn’t need to hide from her. That witch is simply a ferocious beast from the primeval chaos, she eats people without spitting out bones. She’s nearly stripped all the benefits from me! If I don’t give her, she cries, throws tantrums, threatens to commit suicide every few days. It’s simply impossible for me to have peace. It’s truly tragic; how could I have such a sister? Just thinking about it is maddening. Who is the older sister, who is the younger brother? Is there no justice in this world? Heavens, please send a master to take this witch away! With her in the Ye Family, I can’t find peace!”

With that, Ye Chen covered his head with both hands and howled to the sky.

“Uh …” Tian Yan didn’t know what to say at this moment. She pondered silently: Could this be what the Young Master once mentioned, the bloodline suppression?

At this moment, a flash of inspiration struck Ye Chen’s mind, and he suddenly thought of a solution: “Right, I have a solution now. When that witch comes back, if she looks for me, I’ll say I’ve caught a cold and can’t be exposed to wind, let alone see anyone! Anyway, just don’t let her see me!”

“Ah, this …” Tian Yan was somewhat speechless.

“Don’t ‘ah’ this and ‘ah’ that; I’m serious. You must stop her!”

Seeing Ye Chen’s serious tone, Tian Yan could only agree.

…

In Liangzhou, Cangyun City. In the city, at the Lord’s Mansion.

A young man with some resemblance to Ye Wudao was waiting at the door of the Lord’s Mansion. He was Ye Xiaoyun, Ye Chen’s older brother. At this moment, he looked somewhat worried.

“Why hasn’t Xiao Xue arrived yet? Send someone to find out about her whereabout immediately!”

“Lord, the scouts just sent back word; Young Miss has already arrived in the city and is heading straight for the Lord’s Mansion. She should be arriving shortly.”

Hearing this, Ye Xiaoyun’s worried expression eased a bit.

Clip-clop, clip-clop …

Squeak, squeak …

The sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels came from afar. When Ye Xiaoyun saw the convoy, a smile finally appeared on his face.

After all, the things Ye Xue was escorting this time were too important. If word got out, it would be dangerous, so Ye Xiaoyun was very worried.

However, the convoy did not stop because Ye Xiaoyun was there; it went directly into the Lord’s Mansion.

Inside the mansion, two beautiful girls stepped out of a luxurious carriage.

One wore a white long dress, with eyes like stars, delicate features, and slender brows. She was Ye Xue.

The other wore a light blue long dress, fresh and elegant, with porcelain-like skin and rosy cheeks. Especially striking were her bright, talkative eyes. She was Zhao Ling’er from the Zhao family in Qingzhou.

She smiled slightly, “Big Brother, did you miss me?”

Ye Xiaoyun approached Ye Xue and gently patted her head, “You left without a word back then, and it’s been two years since then. Dad and Mom were really worried about you.”

“Oh, didn’t I say before? As a woman of the Ye family, I can hold up half the sky. I vow to achieve something and not disgrace the Ye family.”

Ye Xue looked extremely serious, her tone resolute.

“Alright, you really scared me.”

Ye Xiaoyun then turned to Zhao Ling’er.

“It’s been many years, if I didn’t know it was you, I might not have recognized you.”

Zhao Ling’er smiled faintly, “Yes, Brother Xiaoyun, it’s been a long time!”

“This journey must have been tough on both of you. I’ve prepared some delicious food. Ling’er, while you’re here, don’t be polite. With our two families’ relationship, treat it like your own home.”

“Oh, Big Brother, why are you even more nagging than Dad? Hurry and attend to your business; Ling’er and I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”

Saying this, Ye Xue pushed Ye Xiaoyun away. Then she clapped her hands, laughing, “Finally, some peace and quiet!”

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