“Damn, why’s it so small?” In the outhouse, after finishing his business, Ye Kong still couldn’t bring himself to pull up his pants.

Just then another servant entered the outhouse. Ye Kong had no choice but to look away, pull up his pants, and shoot the servant a fierce glare. And wouldn’t you know it, this hooligan act really worked. The poor guy got so scared he nearly pissed himself.

Of course, these were just servants from the outer courtyard, lowly menials with no real training. If Ye Kong went to the back courtyard, those servants were all trained military men. How would they be afraid of some kid?

“Actually, coming to another world does have its perks. At least I don’t have to worry about monogamy anymore. Once I strike it rich, I’ll get myself a huge compound too, fill it up with young ladies and maids. When I’m bored, I can even take a few vicious servants out to the streets to harass some young women. Heh heh, being a wastrel young master in another world sounds pretty damn good.”

The more Ye Kong thought about it, the happier he got. But his current circumstances quickly brought him back to reality.

For his future dreams of being a wastrel, he’d have to suffer through hardship first! Study! He absolutely had to study!

“Mom, I want to learn martial arts, I want to learn how to read!” Ye Kong ran back to their small courtyard shouting.

But to Ye Kong’s disappointment, Chen Jiuniang had no money. You see, education required investment. Without free public education, many people simply couldn’t afford schooling. Learning literature was one thing, but learning martial arts was a massive expense. Even the trashiest martial arts instructor cost ten taels of silver a month, money Chen Jiuniang absolutely couldn’t produce. In fact, they barely had enough money to eat each month.

After her son stopped being an idiot, Chen Jiuniang had been pondering this too, but she just couldn’t think of any solution. Now that her son brought it up, she could only sigh and shake her head, feeling like she’d failed him.

“Kong’er, don’t worry. Mother will work harder on embroidery. I’ve already asked Sister Li and the others stolen content to help me take on outside embroidery work. That way we’ll have money to hire a martial arts instructor,” Chen Jiuniang said, trying to comfort Ye Kong.

Looking at the huge pile of clothes in front of his mother, Ye Kong felt a pang in his heart. His mother already had to work on the manor’s tasks until the middle of the night every day. If she took on outside embroidery work too… how late would she have to work? Would she even sleep?

“Mom, don’t push yourself too hard. This isn’t urgent.” Ye Kong felt his eyes getting uncontrollably moist. Gripping Chen Jiuniang’s hands, his voice actually choked up a bit.

You fool, you really were blessed to have such a good mother!

Rest easy now. I’ll definitely get stronger! I’ll make sure your mother lives a good life! Because she’s my mother too! In his heart, Ye Kong truly accepted Chen Jiuniang as his own mother.

After controlling his emotions, Ye Kong asked again, “Doesn’t my dad care about his son’s education either? Does Mom have to pay for everything? How do the kids from the other households learn?”

Chen Jiuniang answered, “Second Wife’s two children have high-level martial arts instructors brought from her family. I heard the monthly teaching fee is a hundred taels of silver. Third Wife was also a martial artist before marrying the General. Her three children are taught by expert masters she invited from her sect. And Ninth Wife is the most favored. Her daughter Ye You is smart and clever, so the General hired the number one expert from the army to teach her…”

Ye Kong was furious. “What the hell! Everyone has high-level instructors, even the army’s number one expert? Damn it, I’m so poor I can’t even afford a low-level one. This is way too unfair!”

Chen Jiuniang said tearfully, “It’s Mother who’s useless. Kong’er, you’ve been wronged…”

Ye Kong didn’t want to rage anymore. His anger only tortured his mother. Suppressing his fury, he comforted her, “Mom, don’t worry, don’t rush. Don’t take on outside embroidery either. Your son has his own methods. I’ll find an instructor who costs nothing and is better than all of theirs!”

Chen Jiuniang laughed at this. “Kong’er, you’re getting better and better at cheering your mother up. An instructor better than all of theirs who doesn’t cost ​noodles​money? Where could such a good thing exist?”

Ye Kong said seriously, “Mom, I’m telling the truth. Don’t think I’m joking. For any problem in this world, if you use your brain, there’s always a solution.”

“You! After over ten years of not using your brain, now that you’re using it, Mother can’t keep up with you.” Chen Jiuniang laughed and patted Ye Kong’s head, then suddenly her expression changed. She thought of a very bad possibility.

“Kong’er! You’re not planning to steal martial arts techniques, are you? That absolutely cannot be done!” Chen Jiuniang gripped Ye Kong’s hand in panic.

In the Cangnan Continent, a world that revered martial prowess, a martial art’s cultivation method, internal energy techniques, even the moves themselves were all kept secret and absolutely couldn’t be known by outsiders. If you wanted to learn martial arts, you had to formally become a disciple and receive instruction from a master. If you learned by stealing without becoming a disciple… the consequences were extremely severe. At worst, all four limbs would be crippled. At best, eyes would be gouged out and tongue cut off to ensure the techniques didn’t leak out.

“Who said I’m going to steal techniques?” Ye Kong laughed. “Mom, you’re thinking too much. I want to learn martial arts from Dad… Didn’t you say his martial arts are powerful, that when he was young he fought all over An Kingdom without meeting a match? What do you think of my idea?”

“If the General is willing to teach you, nothing could be better, but I’m afraid…” Chen Jiuniang hesitated. For someone like her who wasn’t valued, would Ye Haoran teach the son she bore him?

“How will we know if we don’t try?” Ye Kong smiled and stood up. “Mom, let’s go have breakfast. After we eat, I’ll go request an audience with Dad.”

The dining hall was in a corner of the outer courtyard. Chen Jiuniang brought Ye Kong over, hoping everyone would know that her son had recovered, that his mind was clear, and that they shouldn’t call him an idiot anymore.

But the effect seemed poor. Chen Jiuniang herself was ugly and had no influence, with no power or authority and only an idiot son. Nobody wanted to talk to her. When she greeted others, they acted like they couldn’t see her. As for others greeting her… that basically never happened.

“Hey, Little Dog…” Chen Jiuniang called out to a young servant ​visit our site​passing by. This guy was about to get married and had asked Chen Jiuniang to do quite a bit of embroidery work for him.

Chen Jiuniang wanted to use him as her breakthrough point, but who knew, he completely ignored her and brushed right past her shoulder.

Ye Kong got angry. He grabbed the servant’s clothes and forcibly pulled him back. “Where do you think you’re going! My mother’s talking to you!”

“Oh.” Little Dog was chewing on a steamed bun, blinking his sleepy little eyes, staring blankly at Chen Jiuniang like an idiot.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing, I just wanted to say… my son isn’t an idiot anymore.” Chen Jiuniang felt a bit awkward. She’d just wanted to mention it casually, it didn’t matter if she didn’t say anything, but who knew Ye Kong would directly grab the guy.

“Oh.” Little Dog nodded and walked away in a daze. After a couple steps, he scratched his head. “Her son isn’t an idiot anymore… what’s that got to do with me?”

Chen Jiuniang felt embarrassed, embarrassed that none of these servants and maids gave her any face. Of course Ye Kong wouldn’t grab anyone else either.

Using violent methods to block someone, then solemnly informing them, “I’m officially notifying you that I’m not an idiot anymore… now you can go.” Wouldn’t that be crazy?

“Mom, actually, this kind of thing needs to be shown through actions,” Ye Kong said with a laugh, hugging Chen Jiuniang’s arm. “You just need to find one unlucky bastard and beat him up in public, like I beat up Li Laosi last night. I guarantee by noon nobody will treat me like an idiot anymore.”

It had to be said, Ye Kong’s method wasn’t bad. Chen Jiuniang couldn’t refute it, but she didn’t dare let Ye Kong cause more trouble. She quickly said, “Kong’er, you already hit Li Laosi last night. You can’t cause any more trouble for your mother.”

“Don’t worry, if others don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them!&[stolen content]#8221; Ye Kong grinned smugly.

Heh heh, didn’t you all bully me for being an idiot? Come try bullying me today. Young Master’s waiting!

But Ye Kong was disappointed. In the outer courtyard dining hall, the diners were all servants and maids. These people didn’t have as much free time as the young masters and misses. Morning was their busiest time. They grabbed steamed buns and rushed off. Who had time to mess with an idiot?

And because Chen Jiuniang was worried her son would cause trouble, after grabbing some steamed buns and porridge, she hurriedly took Ye Kong back, grateful in her heart that Sister Ma, who liked to make things difficult for her, wasn’t there today.

Ye Kong’s chance to establish his authority by hitting someone was ruined, but he didn’t really care. He had a more important matter to handle, which was to go see his father Ye Haoran.

“Kong’er, when you see your father, you absolutely mustn’t make him unhappy.” After breakfast, Chen Jiuniang straightened Ye Kong’s clothes while reminding him repeatedly.

Her son wasn’t an idiot anymore, which was wonderful, but it seemed her son’s temper wasn’t so great now. He wanted to hit people and cause trouble at the drop of a hat.

Ye Kong laughed. “Mom, just relax. I’m not stupid or reckless. Fighting with that old guy would be suicide, wouldn’t it? I’m just going to discuss his eighth son’s education with him. Don’t worry, I can’t beat the old guy. I won’t throw an egg at a rock.”

Chen Jiuniang still wasn’t reassured. She warned him again, “Kong’er, you absolutely must not talk back to your father. Even the most favored Ye You doesn’t dare. No matter what he says, just endure it. Mother knows you have a temper. If the General refuses, so be it. If he scolds you, just take it…”

“I know, I know. I’m going.” Ye Kong straightened his clothes and swaggered out the door. Suddenly he wondered if walking like a hooligan was inappropriate? Hmm, better stand up straight and walk in a straight line. Heh heh, cheap old man, father and son are about to meet!

Obviously, Ye Kong thought meeting Ye Haoran would be simpler noodlesthan it was. On Earth, a son wanting to see his dad was no big deal. You could see him whenever you wanted, didn’t even need to go anywhere. Just call out and Dad would appear.

But in the Ye Manor of Cangnan Continent, things were different. You had to make an announcement. Of course, for other children this wasn’t much either. An announcement is just an announcement.

But for Ye Kong, something that wasn’t a problem for others wasn’t so simple.

First, the two servants at the inner courtyard gate stopped him.

“Brothers, please be flexible and let me through,” Ye Kong said with a smile to the two servants.

“Who’s your brother? Idle strangers are not permitted to enter,” the servant gave Ye Kong no face at all.

Ye Kong almost coughed up blood. I’m Ye Haoran’s son! How did I become an idle stranger? Are you servants blind?

“Brothers, I’m Ye Kong, General Ye’s eighth son. Just let me in to see my dad,” Ye Kong said, suppressing his anger.

This servant had already received instructions from Second Wife. He sneered coldly, “I know you’re Ye Kong. Ye Kong, Ye Kong, empty-headed Kong, ha ha.”

Both servants laughed heartily. One played bad cop, the other played good cop.

The older servant said, “This humble one respectfully addresses you as Eighth Young Master. Please don’t make things difficult for us. Eighth Young Master, this one heard today that your mind has cleared, but you should ​noodles​think about this: why can the wives and concubines from all the other households live in the inner courtyard with their young masters and misses, but you alone live in the outer courtyard?”

After finishing, the old servant paused to let Ye Kong understand for himself. Although he was the Eighth Young Master, he wasn’t favored by the master and was even detested.

The old servant paused, then continued, “If you invite trouble for yourself, so be it, but don’t drag us down to get beaten with you. This one advises you to just go back.”

Ye Kong hadn’t expected Ye Haoran to detest him so much that he couldn’t even see him. This was way too excessive!

But facing the smiling old servant, he couldn’t very well get angry. He could only plead, “Brother, the past is the past. Now that I’ve recovered, it’s different. Please just go in and announce me. Later when I get a reward, I won’t forget you two brothers.”

The young servant laughed mockingly. “Get a reward? More like get beaten! Looks like your brain still isn’t working. Sorry, we don’t want to get beaten along with you!”

Not letting him through the gate and refusing to announce him. Was it really this hard to see his own father? Ye Kong’s anger flared. He pointed at the servant and cursed, “What the hell are you saying? Believe it or not, I’ll make you get beaten right now!”

That servant actually turned and shouted toward the inner courtyard, “Someone! Come quick! Someone’s forcing their way into the inner courtyard!”

“Screw your ancestors! I really am going to force my way in today!” Ye Kong roared, his fist swinging toward that punchable face.

“Who dares force their way into the inner courtyard! Don’t you know the Ye family rules? Those who force into the inner courtyard are treated as assassins!” A stern shout rang out. A pale-faced, tall, heroic and imposing young man walked out, followed by over ten fierce soldiers with sabers at their waists.

Ye Kong scanned through the idiot’s memories and immediately understood that this was Second Wife’s son, the Ye family’s Second ​stolen content​Young Master Ye Wen. Following behind were the notoriously ferocious and savage Ye family personal guards.

Ye Kong could handle beating up a few servants, but facing a martial arts expert plus the famously formidable Ye family guards, he still had some self-awareness.

“So it’s Second Brother.” Ye Wen was ranked second, so he was Second Young Master. Ye Kong quickly cupped his fists and said, “Little brother wanted to see Father, but this wicked servant actually has no eyes. Tell me, what kind of logic is there in not letting a son see his father?”

Ye Wen and the others had guessed Ye Kong would come see the old man and had been waiting for quite a while. He smiled and answered with his prepared response, “Eighth Brother, you really have recovered. Your brother is deeply gratified! You don’t know this, but when you were mentally unclear, your brother looked after you so much!”

Yeah, looked after with insults and fists. Ye Kong hated this in his heart, but didn’t show it on his face. He also smiled and said, “Then thank you so much, Second Brother. Don’t worry, little brother will always repay kindness.”

Repay kindness? More like take revenge. But with your level of martial arts skills, you’ll never have the chance in this lifetime. Ye Wen didn’t expose him though. With a cold smile he said, “Of course. Second Brother welcomes you anytime.”

Ye Kong didn’t want to waste words with him. He said again, “Since Second Brother is here, can little brother go in to see Father now?”

Ye Wen smiled. “It’s not impossible, the key issue is that Father has recently closed his doors to all visitors. Not just you, even I can’t see him.”

Ye Kong didn’t know if he was telling the truth, but he knew that today, seeing Ye Haoran probably wasn’t going to happen.

“Then thank you. Little brother takes his leave.” Ye Kong bowed and turned to leave.

“Eighth Brother, don’t rush off.” Ye Wen followed with a smile on his face. “Eighth Brother, if you want to see Father, there’s no hope recently. Even if you climb the wall into the inner courtyard, there are still guards outside Father’s room. Whether you can see him or not is secondary. If you make Father unhappy and get beaten, that would be a huge loss.”

Ye Kong said coldly, “Second Brother needn’t concern himself.”

But Ye Wen wasn’t provoked by his tone. He continued with a smile, “I actually have some news that should put Eighth Brother at ease. Within ten days, you’ll definitely be able to see Father.”