Chapter Fifty-Nine: Returning the Goods

"Young Master Ye, everyone knows that Miss Sakura from our household has a gentle temperament. As for the benefits you mentioned earlier... well, I suppose you'll have to discover those for yourself in the days to come," one of the stewards said in a low voice.

From the very start, they held Ye Xin in contempt, dismissing him as useless and never taking him seriously. The vigilance they should have shown had long since vanished. Now, even using the word "train" betrayed their disdain for Zong Sakura as well. It seemed that Sakura's status within her own family was little better than that of an ordinary maid.

"Isn't this a bit much?" Ye Xin frowned. "You're being quite irresponsible. Shouldn't you have trained her thoroughly before sending her to the Ye household? Why should I be the one to go to all that trouble?"

The scene unfolding before them was so bizarre that even the matchmakers and onlookers fell silent, straining to hear every word spoken.

Nearly every gaze present brimmed with scorn. How could they treat their own daughter with such contempt? Was preserving face worth nothing at all in pursuit of this marriage alliance?

"Young Master Ye, please don't make things difficult for us..." one of the stewards pleaded, his eyes never leaving the scroll of the Celestial Wolf Art in Ye Xin's hand, his own hands ready to snatch it at a moment's notice.

"So you can't name any benefits? Then there are none, I suppose?" Ye Xin abruptly stopped, his tone turning icy. "In that case... I want to return the goods!" With that, he turned and began striding away.

"What?!" The two Zong family stewards were completely caught off guard, dumbfounded by Ye Xin's abruptness. Only after he had walked five or six paces did one of them recover, roaring furiously, "Ye Xin, how dare you?!"

"And why wouldn't I dare?" Ye Xin halted, sneering. "You yourselves admit this is a transaction. Since it's a deal, why can't I return the goods?"

"You... you..." The stewards were tongue-tied with frustration. They had been instructed beforehand: if the Ye family refused to hand over the Celestial Wolf Art, simply bring Sakura back. They had made every effort, hoping to obtain the scroll, and now, with success just within reach, all hope was dashed. The loss was bitter indeed.

Ye Xin reached up and took down a red lantern, his expression twisting into a snarl. "Did you really think I, Ye Xin, am a fool? All your schemes were just to steal my family's martial arts manual! Ha ha ha..."

In the next instant, Ye Xin did something that left everyone present utterly stunned. He thrust the Celestial Wolf Art into the lantern, where the candle flame caught hold; the precious scroll quickly burst into flames.

"If I can't practice the Celestial Wolf Art, then it's useless to anyone!" Ye Xin laughed maniacally. "If I can't have it, none of you will! Think you can take advantage of the Ye family? Dream on! Ha ha ha..."

The scroll was now a ball of fire. Ye Xin flung it to the ground, still laughing wildly.

Pandemonium erupted on both sides—among the Zong family and the Ye family alike.

"Xin'er, you..." Deng Qiaoying shrieked. Already physically and emotionally exhausted, she watched the Ye family's heirloom destroyed before her eyes. Unable to bear the blow, she vomited blood and collapsed to the ground.

"Mother..." Ye Ling rushed forward, catching Deng Qiaoying as she fell, her terrified gaze locked on Ye Xin. This was no performance—she could never have imagined that her always-trusted elder brother would actually destroy the Celestial Wolf Art!

"Xin! Are you mad?!" Tie Shudeng darted forward, but it was too late. By the time he reached Ye Xin, the flames had dwindled, and the Celestial Wolf Art was nearly reduced to ashes.

"Brother Xin, you..." Wang Meng was at a loss, frozen on the spot.

Wen Rong and the others, too, stared in stunned disbelief—the turn of events had far exceeded anything they could have anticipated.

"Young Marshal?!" Qiu Jie trembled violently, taking a few steps forward before slowly retreating. The veteran officers of the Celestial Wolf Legion all knew that Ye Xin had mastered the Celestial Wolf Art; though the scroll itself was destroyed, the legacy continued, so their shock was not as profound as the others'.

The two Zong family stewards stood stupefied, watching the Celestial Wolf Art burn to ashes, their hearts crumbling along with it.

As long as the scroll remained, there might have been future opportunities for the Zong family. Their aggressive tactics had forced Ye Xin into a desperate act, and when they returned, all blame would surely fall upon them. Though they had only followed orders, the world always needs scapegoats.

"Xin! How could you be so foolish!" Tie Shudeng gripped Ye Xin's shoulder in anguish.

"Third Brother, you're wrong. I'm more clear-headed now than I've ever been in my life." Ye Xin sneered. "The Zong family failed to get the Celestial Wolf Art this time—they'll try again, and again after that. They won't stop until it's in their hands! The Ye family has already declined; we can't afford to antagonize the Zong family. Rather than be bullied and humiliated time and again, I'd rather stand tall and show them that, no matter how far we've fallen, the Ye family still has its pride!"

Tie Shudeng fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

The two Zong stewards were ashen-faced, eyes full of despair. Slowly, they turned and stumbled back the way they had come, even forgetting to take Sakura with them.

Throughout all this, Sakura had stood motionless at the threshold, like a statue. At last, she stirred, raising her head to look at Ye Xin. After a long pause, she spoke in a low voice, "I do not hate you..." With that, she turned and walked toward the bridal sedan.

The marriage celebration at the Ye household ended in chaos. The matchmakers, however, maintained their professionalism; they didn't bother the Ye family's steward for payment. The wedding had only proceeded halfway, but the deposit was already received, and after such an incident, no one was in the mood to quibble. Hadn't the matron herself fainted from anger? There was no need to add to her woes.

The guests also took their leave, each burdened with complicated emotions. The bizarre affair quickly became the talk of Jiuding City, spreading from mouth to mouth.

Within the royal city, Tie Xinsheng sat solemnly at the imperial desk, reviewing the day's memorials. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a square face, thick brows, and large eyes—every inch a ruler in appearance and bearing.

A junior supervisor of about eighteen or nineteen, with delicate features, entered quietly. He seemed about to speak, but seeing Tie Xinsheng busy, he held his tongue and stood silently aside. Suddenly recalling something, a sly smile crept over his face.

Tie Xinsheng sensed it and glanced up at him. "Xiao Fuzi, what is it that's making you so happy? Speak."

"Your Majesty," the young supervisor replied, "today was the wedding day of Ye Xin of the Ye family and Sakura of the Zong family."

"And what's so delightful about that?" Tie Xinsheng frowned.

"Heh heh... In the end, the Ye and Zong families quarreled and split." The young supervisor animatedly recounted every detail of what had occurred at the Ye household, telling it so vividly it was as if he had witnessed it himself.

"Oh?" Tie Xinsheng was taken aback. He set aside the memorial and, closing his eyes, pondered for a long time before asking, "Ye Xin destroyed the Celestial Wolf Art? Can this be true?"

"It is absolutely true," the young supervisor replied. "My plainclothes guards saw it with their own eyes. Ha ha... That young fellow from the Ye family does have a bit of backbone. The Zong family's greed got what it deserved!"

"The Celestial Wolf Art is the very foundation of the Ye family!" Tie Xinsheng said gravely. "No matter how unruly Ye Xin may be, he should not have destroyed it. Is there not some hidden motive?"

"The Zong family pressed too hard—even a clay statue has a temper, let alone a wastrel like that," the supervisor replied with a laugh. "Besides, the Ye family's second lady, Deng Qiaoying, was so incensed she vomited blood on the spot. That can't be faked. One of my guards, formerly a constable, entered the Ye household on some pretext, collected a sample of the blood from the soil, and upon examination, confirmed it was indeed human blood—no deception there."

"Xiao Fuzi, you've become ever more thorough in your work," Tie Xinsheng nodded approvingly.

"The plainclothes guards are a serious responsibility, Your Majesty. How could I dare be careless? If I reported false news to you, how could I ever show my face again?"

"Just continue being diligent," Tie Xinsheng said.

"Deng Qiaoying is simple-minded—if there were any subterfuge, she couldn't have managed it so flawlessly," the supervisor added. "Besides, Ye Xin is good at eating, drinking, and having fun, but he has no other merits. Could he really be so shrewd?"

Tie Xinsheng was silent for a long time. "Has the Zong family reacted?"

"My men haven't returned yet from gathering information, so I don't know at present."

"The Celestial Wolf Art destroyed... what a pity..." Tie Xinsheng sighed deeply. "If Ye Guanhai were still alive, Ye Xin would surely anger him to death!"

"The Ye family is finished—each generation worse than the last," the supervisor said.

"I remember when Ye Guanhai and I would debate and strategize at Longteng Martial Academy—it feels like only yesterday," Tie Xinsheng sighed again. "Time passes so quickly; in the blink of an eye, everything has changed. Who could have foreseen this..."

"But... the Ye family still has Ye Sui Feng," the supervisor noted. "I've already looked into the matter at the Sky Prison: once again, the Zong family is behind it. A few days ago, the Third Prince visited the prison, so I doubt the guards will dare act out of line again."

"Have someone keep an eye on things," Tie Xinsheng said sternly. "Ye Sui Feng must not die in that prison. If I wish to execute him, I will do so according to the law, bringing him to the execution ground and making it a matter of state. Justice is not a child's game!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty," the supervisor replied with a grin. "If Your Majesty wishes someone dead, even if he had wings, I would drag him down and place his head beneath the executioner's blade. If Your Majesty wishes someone to live, even if the whole world wants him dead, I'll see that he comes to no harm."

"That mouth of yours..." Tie Xinsheng laughed heartily. "Much better than that old official!"