Chapter 10: Transformed into a Flower Thief
“Impudent thief! How dare you threaten our young lady!”
“And you dare to come to our door!”
“Ha!”
With a thunderous shout, the man drew his sword in a flash and aimed it at Ying Shuo’s neck.
Ying Shuo was not one to let himself be bullied. He reached out and flicked the sword as it came down.
“Clang!”
The sword was knocked aside, vibrating and humming incessantly.
The swordsman was tall and robust, easily over six feet, with a powerful frame and sharp eyes.
Yet, from the very first encounter, he found himself at a disadvantage against Ying Shuo, and his expression darkened as he pondered.
To deflect a sword swung with full strength using just a finger—such skill could only belong to a master of internal arts!
The shabby clothes and frail body—could this be a hidden master, disguised to deceive?
Or was it merely a trick to confuse others?
With these thoughts, the man quickly pulled Jiang Lan Feng behind him and retreated, exclaiming, “Miss, be careful!”
Ying Shuo watched the burly man’s series of actions, feeling utterly baffled.
Ever since he began studying the Medical Classic, his body had been continually nourished by its energy, growing stronger even without deliberate cultivation, his sensitivity to force unusually acute.
The moment of contact revealed the man had exerted his full strength.
“To meet me and instantly try to chop my neck with a sword—could he be mad?”
It was well known, after all, that ancient nobles often prided themselves on their status, refusing to marry commoners and instead intermarrying within their ranks, even distant cousins, leading to inherited diseases.
Mental deficiencies were among them.
“Xin Qi! Enough with your rudeness!” Jiang Lan Feng, startled by the sword, quickly grabbed the burly man after regaining her composure.
She was about to explain, but the commotion at the gate drew the household staff, armed with sticks and brooms, from the corridors and gardens. Jiang’s father, too, pushed through the crowd and stepped forward.
Seeing his daughter returned, Jiang’s father visibly relaxed, affectionately exclaiming, “Oh, my precious girl! You’re finally back!”
“Do you know how frantic we’ve been searching for you?”
“Your mother has been so worried she’s taken to bed, and your sister is tending to her now!”
As he spoke, Jiang’s father grew increasingly animated, waving his broad sleeves as if mere words couldn’t convey his emotions.
Upon hearing that her mother was bedridden, Jiang Lan Feng’s nose tingled with grief. She hurriedly grasped her father's hand, anxious. “What happened to Mother?”
“She was fine when I left, wasn’t she?”
The steward, seeing the master’s flushed face, stepped in to explain. “After the young lady left, Madam hasn’t slept or eaten well. The doctor said it’s a case of worry overwhelming her, and prescribed medicine, but she has yet to awaken.”
Jiang Lan Feng’s expression eased slightly, suppressing her urge to rush to her mother’s side.
Gently, she whispered, “It’s all my fault—I was thoughtless.”
Then, she pointed to Ying Shuo and introduced him.
“Father, this is Young Master Ying, a disciple of a renowned healer whom I met on the road.”
“I invited him especially to attend to Elder Zhao.”
“Since Mother lies ill, perhaps Young Master Ying could help?”
Yet, before Ying Shuo or Jiang’s father could speak, the burly man, Xin Qi, stepped between them, glaring.
“Miss, surely you haven’t been deceived?”
“The world may be prosperous and peaceful, but thieves and robbers abound—don’t let a wolf into the house!”
Hearing such slander, Ying Shuo’s brows furrowed in anger.
“Hey! What sort of talk is that?”
“I haven’t even held you to account for swinging a sword at me—aren’t you afraid you might have killed someone?”
Xin Qi sized up Ying Shuo with a sneer, his tone dismissive. “Scoundrels who cheat for money and lust after our young lady—I’ll cut down every one I meet!”
Ying Shuo tilted his head, wearing an incredulous expression.
Are you deaf, or just dimwitted?
Didn’t you hear your own lady invited me here?
How am I suddenly a thieving scoundrel lusting after her?
“Did you get your head caught in the door this morning, or kicked by a donkey?”
“I’m here at Miss Jiang’s request, not to listen to your nonsense!”
“If you don’t want me inside, I’ll take my leave!”
Is wealth so impressive?
Everyone has a temper!
With that, Ying Shuo turned on his heel, showing not the slightest intention of staying. Jiang Lan Feng hurriedly stopped Xin Qi from further protest and chased after Ying Shuo, taking his arm.
She wore an apologetic smile, gently explaining, “Young Master Ying, please forgive any offense. Xin Qi usually serves as my father’s guard and often encounters those who covet his wealth, so he’s become overly cautious.”
“Please, for my sake, would you stay for a meal?”
Seeing Jiang Lan Feng’s adorable, pleading face, Ying Shuo’s heart softened. He thought it pointless to quibble with a servant.
“Fine, fine. Can’t you manage your own staff? Swinging swords at people—what nonsense!” Ying Shuo waved his hand dismissively.
But Xin Qi persisted, “Miss! Not long ago, there was a flower thief in Chang’an. He preyed on young maidens, even the eldest daughter of General Zhu Wei was victimized, left mentally deranged. The authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, but he’s still at large!”
“I’ve heard the thief escaped Chang’an, so he couldn’t be caught. Just yesterday, the county office of Qingfeng issued a mandate to assist in his capture—anyone providing information gets a thousand taels of silver!”
Pointing at Ying Shuo, Xin Qi declared, “I see he’s skilled in internal arts, dressed shabbily—clearly a disguise. He may well be the fugitive flower thief!”
His words were righteous and persuasive. If Ying Shuo weren’t in his right mind, he might almost believe it.
He snorted derisively, explaining, “I am Ying Shuo, from Qingfeng County, an impoverished scholar yet to earn his degree. Just today, I was beaten up at the Liu residence by their old housekeeper.”
“Have you ever seen a flower thief with empty sleeves and debts up to his ears?”
His explanation left everyone in the Jiang household—apart from Jiang Lan Feng—shocked and suspicious, exchanging uncertain glances.
Even Xin Qi lost interest in pursuing the flower thief accusation.
Jiang’s father stepped forward, circling Ying Shuo as if inspecting some rare treasure.
He then asked incredulously, “What did you say your name was?”
“Ying Shuo.”
Ying? He’s from the Ying family?
Jiang’s father frowned, a strange light flickering in his eyes as he studied Ying Shuo, as though weighing something.
He looked to Jiang Lan Feng.
She nodded gently.
At that moment, a frantic voice from within interrupted Jiang’s father.
“Master! Bad news!”
“Has the young lady returned?”
“Please, come quickly—Madam is fading fast!”