Chapter 122: Even Brother Kun Gets to Ride in a Carriage

The proprietor gazed at Ye Kun, then let out a sigh. "Ye Kun, you are a good older brother, and Ye Qin is a kind-hearted lad. But some things, once lost, are truly gone. It is a choice people make; it sounds harsh, but it is the truth."

"The magistrate of the past is no longer that magistrate, and the Wanqing of the past is no longer that same Wanqing. If you wish to stay in Ankang Prefecture, do not go looking for trouble. Focus on your studies at the academy; there will be plenty of opportunities to cross paths. A fine young man should not be shackled by such matters."

The proprietor’s words were blunt: you young pups will only suffer in silence if you go.

He patted Ye Qin on the shoulder and said indifferently, "You should count yourself lucky. Discovering this early allows you to make better choices."

Ye Qin looked up at the proprietor, his eyes filled with sincere emotion.

"Very well, I will not accompany you any further. Follow this main road to the end, and you will leave Pingkang Ward. Ankang Academy is in the East City; you still have a day or two of walking ahead of you, if you make good time..." After saying this, the proprietor snapped his folding fan open, spun around with a flourish, and strode away.

Had he let out a hearty laugh at that moment, he might have truly looked like a hero of legend.

Reflecting on the proprietor's words, everyone gained a new understanding of Ankang Prefecture. Even Ye Kun realized that the descriptions in his books were all lies—this, right before his eyes, was the real Ankang.

All around them, commoners lived in dire misery. Ye Kun looked into a narrow alleyway and saw a woman, her face smudged with grime, leaning against a wall, cradling a fair-skinned child who lay quietly in her arms.

This sight weighed heavily on Ye Kun’s heart. He had nearly died in a dark alley himself years ago, had his mother not happened to pass by...

He wanted to help, but he realized he was just as poor.

If only he had borrowed some gold coins from the proprietor; they were fellow countrymen, after all.

"Brother, let's not go looking for her. Our goal is to study," Ye Qin said in a low voice, his tone firm. He did not want to drag his brother and sister-in-law into his own troubles. After all, the proprietor had made it clear: Ba Wanqing was no longer the person she once was.

Ye Kun looked at his younger brother. His heart was filled with reluctance, but seeing that pleading look, he could not bring himself to refuse.

He took a deep breath. "Let's head to the East City first."

"Thank you, Brother."

"What are brothers for?" Ye Kun squeezed out a smile, slung his arm over Ye Qin’s shoulder, and started walking forward.

Ye Li and Yan Mu’er couldn't help but notice that the bond between these two brothers was truly remarkable. The older brother lived for the younger, and the younger for the older. If only all brothers in the world were like this.

After half an hour of walking, the group finally reached the entrance of Pingkang Ward as the proprietor had described.

It was indeed cordoned off, with wooden fences placed on both sides, leaving two paths in the middle—one for entry, one for exit. Yet, almost no one passed through.

Ye Kun looked up at the archway; the plaque bore three large characters: Pingkang Ward.

Outside the ward, Ye Kun had seen the prosperity of Ankang Prefecture, but now he couldn't muster any positive feelings. Perhaps he had held too high an opinion of Ankang, or perhaps he had idealized the entire Taijing capital.

Ye Kun led the group toward the gate. The guards glanced at them but said nothing. The group walked out of Pingkang Ward.

However, a man behind them, hoping to try his luck, followed suit.

He was quickly intercepted. Ye Kun watched as a guard kicked the man to the ground and struck him viciously with the hilt of a sword.

The onlookers watched in silence, and the guard beat him as if to kill. Ye Kun couldn't help but step forward.

Two guards blocked his path. "Don't interfere."

"He’ll be beaten to death!" Ye Kun said in a low, stern voice.

"First time in Ankang? Leaving Pingkang Ward without authorization is a capital offense!"

"Rest assured, he won't die. At least he wasn't trying to sneak out, but a lesson is unavoidable. You’d best be on your way, young master," another guard added with a bow.

"Brother Kun, let's go," Yuan Zhen whispered from behind. This wasn't Taixi County; since they were newcomers, it was better not to act too heroic.

Dong Ci and Da Ci thought to themselves that with just one word from their teacher, he could turn all of Ankang upside down. But no, the teacher wouldn't do that; he was here to experience life—this was a form of severe spiritual discipline.

Ye Kun could save the man, but the cost would be heavy; even Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian might be implicated, not to mention his parents.

To possess invincible power yet be unable to change anything—Ye Kun sighed. Even if he used force, he could not change the underlying nature of things.

"Young master." Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from the side.

Ye Kun and Ye Qin turned their heads.

Good heavens!

It was Uncle Zhang!

Ye Kun and Ye Qin were completely bewildered. How could Uncle Zhang be here? Shouldn't he be in Taixi County? And what about the carriage behind him? Land in Ankang was worth its weight in gold; carriage parking spots were not cheap.

Could it be that Father had been...

"Uncle Zhang, why are you here? Where are Father and Mother?" Ye Qin rushed over to embrace him.

Zhang Tiantian patted Ye Qin’s back with a smile. "Young master, the master and mistress arrived a few days ago."

"What?!" Ye Kun was stunned.

No wonder Mother hadn't been sad when they left; she had already arrived here. She had even told them that once children grew up, they had to leave the shelter of their parents' wings and fly—and yet, here they were.

Ye Li and Yan Mu’er were overjoyed. This was wonderful! With his parents here, things would be much more comfortable.

"It's getting late. We still need to reach the East City."

"Right." Having been away from his parents for so long, Ye Kun missed them dearly.

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian stood by, feeling slightly awkward. Back in their school days, it was usually the two brothers watching them board the carriage; now, the roles were reversed.

"Yuan Zhen, Feng Dian, come along," Ye Kun called out, seeing them standing there like statues.

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian were men of pride, after all.

"Right away!" The two ran over, delighted; their feet were about to fall off from walking.

However, just as they were boarding, an anxious cry rang out from behind: "Young masters... young masters... where are you going?"

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian turned back. Was this someone their fathers had arranged? Where was their carriage?

This was a loss of face in front of Brother Kun! As his subordinates, if they didn't even have a decent carriage, how could they call themselves his followers?

"We are taking the carriage to the East City."

"Young masters, the place you are staying is right here. No need to go to the East City; that's where the wealthy live."

Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian were on the verge of a breakdown.

Why was it like this? Why?