Life at the residence returned to its usual tranquil rhythm.

Ye Qingxian spent her days in seclusion, focused on her cultivation. Having obtained the necessary materials from the Matriarch, she was preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Shen Xian, for the most part, lounged on his daybed, enjoying a life of leisure. His previous plans—visiting pleasure houses to listen to music or getting drunk under the moon in the flower streets—were temporarily shelved.

The days were a bit dull, but who told him to suddenly become someone’s target?

On this particular day, Shen Xian was reclining on his daybed, idly flipping through a book of casual reading.

“Third Brother certainly has refined tastes.”

A voice, laced with a bone-chilling frost, suddenly drifted in from the courtyard gate.

Shen Xian looked up to see his second brother, Shen Li, standing at the entrance with his hands clasped behind his back. He wore a dark purple brocade robe, the silver serpent patterns on his sleeves gleaming coldly in the sunlight. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.

The man resembled a venomous serpent basking in the sun—exposed in plain sight, yet radiating a chilling, lethal aura.

Shen Xian closed his book and lazily cupped his hands in greeting. “What brings Second Brother to my humble courtyard today?”

Shen Li walked closer at a measured pace. The unsheathed short blade at his waist refracted a piercing, cold light with each step.

This weapon was named the ‘Heart-Eroding Blade,’ and it was his most prized possession. It was often used to punish those within the family who broke the rules. Rumors claimed it could easily pierce through a cultivator’s protective Qi, inflicting pain more terrifying than having one’s heart torn out.

Shen Li sat down at the stone table and poured himself a cup of tea without waiting for an invitation. “I heard about the assassination attempt on Third Brother at the Ye Family. I am relieved to see you unharmed.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Shen Xian replied offhandedly.

This very person was the mastermind behind the recent gift-giving debacle. Was he here today because of the Spirit Gathering Array again?

Shen Li took a small sip of tea before abruptly changing the subject. “Recently, evil cultivators have been running rampant in the Azure Province, causing chaos everywhere. The city has suffered losses in many districts.” He set down his teacup, his deep, dark pupils fixed intently on Shen Xian. “Third Brother’s cultivation is still shallow. I truly cannot rest easy.”

“I keep to myself most of the time. What is there to worry about?” Shen Xian said with a light smile, all the while trying to discern the other’s true intentions.

Shen Li shook his head. “One must still be cautious.”

With that, he waved a hand. Two cultivators dressed in tight-fitting black attire—one man and one woman—entered from outside the courtyard gate.

The man had a stern face and carried a sword at his waist. The woman wore a faint smile and was idly manipulating a copper coin between her fingers.

“Mo Zhu, Mo Lan,” Shen Li introduced them. “Both are skilled hands at the late Foundation Establishment stage. From today onward, they will be responsible for your safety.”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the two.

An old sword scar marred the web of Mo Zhu’s right hand, between the thumb and forefinger. Mo Lan’s left foot seemed to press into the ground slightly firmer than her right. They didn’t look like ordinary guards; they appeared more like seasoned killers accustomed to life-and-death struggles.

Were these two here for protection, or surveillance?

He looked at Shen Li beside him, deep in thought.

Before he could speak, Shen Li added another remark. “Don’t worry, Third Brother. They will only guard from the outside. You need not pay them any mind.”

He had already reported this arrangement to their mother. Even if Shen Xian tried to invoke her authority now, it would be useless.

His intention was precisely to monitor this waste of a younger brother openly and brazenly—to make him understand that he could not defy or overcome him.

If Shen Xian truly resisted… he wouldn’t mind employing other methods.

“Since Second Brother is so concerned, this younger brother will gratefully accept,” Shen Xian said, offering no refusal.

For one, he genuinely did need guards for protection. For another, even if these two were here for surveillance, it mattered little. His daily routine was extremely simple; being watched made no difference.

As for Ye Qingxian… she undoubtedly had methods to prevent these two from prying into her affairs. That wasn’t something he needed to worry about.

Shen Li let out a light chuckle, clearly pleased with this outcome. He stood up, taking his half-finished cup of spirit tea with him. “Then I shall take my leave.”

His objective achieved, he departed.

Once outside the courtyard, he glanced at the spirit tea in the cup, sneered coldly, and casually tossed it aside.

“Ye Mingyuan… you certainly know how to change your tune quickly!”

…

Having two extra people stationed outside the courtyard did not affect Shen Xian’s life in the slightest.

He continued his leisurely lifestyle just as before.

As for Ye Qingxian… given the Empress’s capabilities, two Foundation Establishment cultivators likely wouldn’t be able to discover anything about her.

Some days later, Shen Xian was sampling osmanthus cakes from a new shop in town when he saw Xiang’er hurrying in from outside, her expression rather unpleasant.

“Young Master, this is this month’s allowance.” She handed over a list, her tone carrying a hint of indignation.

Shen Xian lazily lifted his eyes and took the list. With a single glance, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Besides the essential spirit stones, the list included some low-grade talismans, pills, and daily living supplies.

“Is this all?” His tone was flat, but a trace of coldness quietly surfaced in his eyes.

Never mind that all the spirit stones had been swapped for mid-grade ones; just looking at these talismans and pills—their quality had dropped by more than a tier compared to before. Furthermore, there were no cultivation resources this time at all—just some cheap items for daily use.

Since when had the family become so impoverished?

Xiang’er bit her lip and said softly, “The people at accounts said that after marriage, Young Master and Young Mistress need to establish their own household. Without making additional contributions… they can only receive the minimum monthly allowance. And…”

She paused briefly before continuing in an even lower voice: “And… they said Young Master and Young Mistress don’t need cultivation resources anyway… so they simply cut them.”

“Hah… ‘don’t need them.’ What an excellent reason.”

Shen Xian let out a soft laugh as he gently rubbed the edge of the list with his fingertips. The chill in his eyes grew increasingly pronounced.

Whether he needed them or not wasn’t their reason for withholding his cultivation resources!

Moreover… as a legitimate son of direct descent… since when was there a rule about needing to complete so-called ‘contributions’?

He hardly needed to think deeply to know that behind this must be none other than his ‘capable’ second brother pulling strings and stirring trouble.

From arranging guards for surveillance to now withholding his allowance… it was clear Shen Li was testing his limits, step by step.

If he continued to swallow these insults without complaint… Shen Li would likely grow even more brazen and unrestrained.

He slowly rose to his feet and casually tossed the list back into Xiang’er’s hands before walking towards the courtyard exit.

“Young Master! Where are you going?” Xiang’er asked anxiously.

“The accounts office!” Shen Xian stated firmly.

If I don’t bare my fangs… do they truly take me for an invalid cat?

It was time for everyone in the Shen Family to learn that this legitimate son wasn’t so easy to push around!

Hearing this, Xiang’er’s small face paled with alarm as she hurriedly tried to dissuade him. “Young Master! It’s not proper for you to go alone! If those blind fools dare offend you…”

Given the Young Master’s status… those servants absolutely wouldn’t dare lay hands on him physically.

But judging by how they had withheld the allowances so blatantly—clearly prepared beforehand—if the Young Master went alone now, he would definitely face targeted provocation!

Xiang’er didn’t want Shen Xian subjected to their scornful ridicule!

Without stopping his stride or turning back, Shen Xian merely waved dismissively. “It doesn’t matter.”

Xiang’er wanted to urge him further, but she saw him already stepping through the courtyard gate—his back straight and tall like a pine tree, his robes fluttering lightly behind him. Unexpectedly, he emanated a sharp, imposing aura!

She froze momentarily before a realization snapped into place. She immediately turned, rushing towards the direction of the main residence.

I need to tell the Madam, quickly!