The Emperor's Domineering Favor, the Evil Consort's Unparalleled Reign

The inn where Ying Li and Yi Bicheng are currently staying is the most bustling yet most low-key in Lonely City. The inn is named You Tang, and its exterior is simple and desolate, but the interior is a hidden paradise.

The owner of this place is a commoner surnamed Wei, not a member of the Wei family, but very shrewd in business. Because he understands the preferences of some high-ranking nobles, he pays particular attention to the soundproofing and privacy of the rooms. Ying Li and Yi Bicheng have been here for several days, and apart from the waiters, they have hardly been disturbed by any outsiders. This advantage makes things very convenient for Ying Li and Yi Bicheng; their recuperation and cultivation have been largely unaffected.

Ying Li was amazed by the solemnity and antiquity of this small town. It was true that Lonely City lived up to its name. Although the streets were usually bustling with many vendors, upon closer inspection, one could always sense a faint sense of loneliness. Moreover, since the tragic incident involving Miss Wei three years ago, there wasn't a single beggar to be seen in Lonely City, and even outsiders were subject to strict screening.

The streets were clean and orderly, with an indescribable sense of discipline.

Because of Yi Bicheng's status as a member of the Tianfu clan, they had great convenience in entering and leaving Guliang City. Some "old friends" who already knew Yi Bicheng's identity visited him every day, which gave Yi Bicheng a lot of headaches.

That day, after breakfast, the two were drinking tea downstairs at the inn. Yi Bicheng's injuries had improved considerably. After resting for two more days, they planned to head north. They had heard that a great figure's tomb had recently been discovered in Gufeng City of Ling'an Kingdom. After opening the tomb, the experts of Gufeng City obtained many treasures. Some of them were eager to get rid of them and were making a big fuss about it at Fuling Sect, the number one pawnshop in Gufeng City, waiting for someone with deep pockets who wasn't afraid of getting into big trouble to auction them off.

Ying Li and Yi Bicheng obtained many spiritual herbs at Winter Night Manor, which they could exchange for some daily necessities at the pawnshop.

As they were drinking tea, a faint argument broke out outside the You Tang Inn. The voices grew louder and louder, each one sharp and piercing. All the other guests in the inn turned to look, and once they did, they couldn't take their eyes off the scene.

An old man, dressed in tattered clothes, swayed back as he carried a wine jar upside down, arguing with a group of people. He wore bamboo-green straw sandals, his big toes protruding from the seams, calloused and covered in mud, making him look particularly shabby. Outside, the wind howled, and the old man, in his ragged clothes, appeared almost naked in the cold wind, sending chills down one's spine.

Because Lonely City was the domain of the Wei family, and Wei Lingyun had done such a thing, the city harbored an inexplicable anger towards beggars. No one would agree to let a beggar into the city, but this beggar did enter.

"Alas, poor old man, doesn't he know the rules of Lonely City? Bandits and beggars are not allowed to enter, or they will face certain death!"

"There's no such thing as pitiful or not pitiful. It's clearly posted at the city gate. That old geezer insisted on coming in. Who can he blame? The Wei family is guarding the city gate. This old man has already entered the city. I don't believe no one warned him. That old man isn't afraid of death. Heh, you can't blame the Wei family."

"To say that Miss Wei died unjustly, how could she have been raped by a beggar? She was a daughter of a prestigious family, and she had cultivated spiritual energy since childhood, but in the end she didn't even have the strength to resist and was tortured to death."

"Hmph, I heard there was a woman named Jin Yi who had a grudge against Miss Wei. When Miss Wei was in trouble, she deliberately helped that beggar, which is why Miss Wei suffered such a disaster. However, I heard that Jin Yi was killed two months ago. It's true that what goes around comes around."

"..."

Ying Li turned to look at Yi Bicheng beside him. The other man had no expression on his face. He picked up the tea that the waiter had prepared, carefully fanned the hot air with the teacup, took a few sips, and then put it on the table. The whole movement was smooth and natural, without the slightest embarrassment.

But when Ying Li saw the tea trembling slightly, with the tea leaves floating up and down in the water, he came to his senses and said, "Brother Yi, let's go out and take a look."

Yi Bicheng looked up and smiled, "Does Ali also like to join in the fun? Okay, let's go take a look."

Ying Li looked at the mischievous smile on Yi Bicheng's face, said nothing, got up and walked out of the inn. Yi Bicheng informed the innkeeper, Mr. Wei, to keep track of the bill before following Ying Li out.

"You old codger, the big posters at the city gate clearly state that bandits and beggars are not allowed to enter. You may be seeing things, but we're telling you, are you deaf?! If you don't get lost, don't blame us for being impolite!" The leader of the Wei family servants was a burly man who pointed at the old man's face and started cursing.

The people around him pointed and whispered, all pointing at the old man and muttering his complaints. The old man snorted coldly, then flipped the upside-down wine jar to his mouth and threw it forcefully, spilling wine all over his face and clothes. "Glug glug!" After downing several large mouthfuls of wine, the disheveled old man let out a burp, looked at the leading servant of the Wei family, and said with amusement, "Little brat, I'm in a good mood today. I'm coming to your desolate city, but why do you look like you're in debt? Go, bring me two more jars of good wine. I'll leave right away and won't cause you any trouble."

"Burp!" Another burp, the foul smell mixed with the stench of alcohol, enraged the leading servant of the Wei family. He grabbed the old man by the collar, lifted him up, and sneered, "You really don't know your place! Today I'll teach you a lesson and see who's the boss here!"

Having said that, he slammed the old man to the ground. The wine jar shattered with a loud "crack!" The cold wine spilled all over the ground, and the old man lay on his back. As he watched the Wei family servant's fist getting closer and closer, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. He stretched to his right, grabbed the ground with both feet, and sprang to his feet in an instant. He leaned his back against the Wei family servant, wiped the grime from the corner of his mouth with his right hand, and then wiped the servant's back with his other hand. He then closed his eyes and pretended to doze off with a cheerful smile.

"I'm your grandpa, you son of a bitch!" The Wei family servant looked disgusted and loathing. He straightened his back, and the slovenly old man was thrown back, his eyes filled with panic. "Little brat, don't be angry. Grandpa will apologize to you, okay?!"

"Go to hell!" The Wei family servant shoved the old man in the chest with both hands. The old man was pushed several meters away, but he still had a smile on his face. When he saw the Wei family servant pick up a fan from a nearby stall, a smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

"This old man is really strange. He's clearly weak and can't even kill a chicken, yet he's not at a disadvantage at all," Ying Li said in surprise. She noticed that the old man was very agile, which was not the physical condition that a seventy or eighty-year-old man should have.

“There are extraordinary people in the streets, girl. It would be best if you could get on the good side of this old man. Maybe you can even benefit from him and have him teach you some skills.” The alluring man crossed his arms and looked at the old man with deep eyes.

"Ouch! Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me!" The disheveled old man dodged and blocked, but was hit several times, the sound of slaps echoing around him. Everyone around gasped.

As the old man was dodging, he suddenly saw Ying Li standing outside the crowd. His heart skipped a beat, and without paying any attention, he pushed through the crowd, grabbed Ying Li's arm, and shouted, "Girl, you've finally come! If you hadn't come, your grandpa would have been beaten to death by that little brat!"

As she spoke, she tried to slip behind Ying Li. Yi Bicheng tried to pry the old man up with her hand, but before her right hand could even touch the old man's arm, she was violently jolted back.

The servant of the Wei family looked at Ying Li and Yi Bicheng, who were blocking the old man, and said irritably, "Go to hell, are you his relatives?!"

Ying Li turned her head to look at the old man behind her. Considering the old man's special identity, she couldn't help but feel curious. She said, "That's right. My grandfather is a little mentally challenged. The servants didn't keep an eye on him for a moment, and that's why he ran out. I'm sorry to have troubled you, sir. I'll take him back right away."

The servant of the Wei family, who was initially furious, took a closer look at Ying Li and saw that the little girl had delicate skin, curved eyebrows, and an inexplicably gentle demeanor. Especially her cherry-like lips; he was momentarily stunned and his resentment vanished. He immediately found a way out, muttering, "Since he's somewhat mentally challenged, quickly take him home and keep a close eye on him. The rules of Lonely Cold City absolutely forbid beggars from entering. I'm on duty here today; if it were anyone else, this old man would have been killed long ago. Alright, take him away quickly, everyone else, disperse! There's nothing to see here!"

Ying Li responded and led the old man toward the inn. Although Yi Bicheng had doubts in his eyes, he knew that Ying Li must have her reasons for doing things. Moreover, the old man was no ordinary person, and he could not underestimate him.

The onlookers, seeing Ying Li lead the old man away, lost interest and dispersed, and the street soon returned to normal.

The servant of the Wei family felt a little disappointed as he watched Ying Li leave. Such a beautiful young girl was truly a rare sight. He chuckled for a while, noticing the strange expressions on other people's faces. He touched his stiff face, pouted, and jogged back to the city gate.

Ying Li led the old man into the inn. Although the innkeeper was not happy, he could not say anything out of respect for Yi Bicheng. He asked the waiter to prepare hot water and send it up to them, and then continued to doze off at the table.

The slovenly old man, however, made the best of a bad situation. He took a hot bath, changed into new clothes, kicked his two worn-out straw sandals far away, and then sat down opposite Ying Li and Yi Bicheng to eat and drink heartily.

Seeing the disheveled old man enjoying his meal, Ying Li couldn't help but ask, "Sir, where are you from? Why do you say that I am your granddaughter? Why don't you tell me where you live, and I will take you home?"

"Glug glug!" After a few more gulps of wine, the old man leaned back in his chair, watching the dishes and wine on the table disappear into his stomach. He patted his belly, picked up a toothpick, and said casually, "Little girl, if I say you're my grandpa, then you're my grandpa. I don't have a place to live. Naturally, I'll live wherever you live. One shouldn't forget one's roots!"

Um... Ying Li looked at the old man's relaxed yet sleepy appearance and was bewildered for the first time.