Chapter 148: Unlucky Ye Tian

"President Pierre, didn't you say it was foolproof? Why did the warehouse catch fire!" Prince Gistack roared at a portly middle-aged man. "Three thousand weapons and pieces of armor, all ruined just like that!"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. The rest of the weaponry is stored safely and will not be affected. As for this incident, I offer my deepest apologies. New supplies are already on the way; there will be no delays," the middle-aged man replied.

"Father, do not be angry. President Pierre would not make such a mistake. Perhaps it was his subordinates who failed to guard the warehouse properly, leading to this," the Prince's son, Nick, interjected.

"Thank you, young Prince," the man said. "Actually, I am somewhat to blame. Because those goods could not be made public, they were hidden in secluded locations, which is why this happened."

"Has it been handled? Do not leave any loose ends," Prince Gistack demanded.

"Rest assured, the rumors have already been spread. No one will suspect anything. As for the Imperial City Guard, they have already been taken care of. There will be no mistakes," the man said confidently.

"I hope so!" Prince Gistack looked up at the ceiling. "President Pierre, we are now like grasshoppers on the same string; neither of us can escape. We must succeed; failure is not an option!"

"I understand that, Your Highness, so there is no need to worry. I will fulfill what I have promised, provided you remember your pledge," the man said.

"Rest assured, I won't forget you."

"Then I shall take my leave; the incoming shipment requires further arrangements." The man bowed and departed.

"Father!" Nick looked at his father, who slammed his fist onto the table. "Old fox!"

"President!" As the man stepped out, a shrewd young man approached him. "Did it go well?"

"Not entirely. Although he is a bit slow, the one behind him is no fool. It is simply not the time to burn bridges yet," the man said softly.

"What should we do then?" the youth asked.

"Just keep the goods hidden well and ensure everything is foolproof."

"Rest assured, only I and a few trusted aides know the location. I haven't told anyone else," the youth replied firmly.

"That is good. Everything depends on whether he can ascend the throne. I suddenly feel a bit of regret," the man sighed. "Perhaps the old President was right."

"President, this is not the time for hesitation. Even if we are wrong, we must see it through to the end!" the youth urged.

"Indeed. We have come too far to turn back. Since that is the case, we might as well walk this path to the dark end," the man said with a self-deprecating smile. He put on his hat and left with the youth.

Ye Tian was currently very idle. He had been isolated—truly isolated. Although he was still officially Lady Lifier’s personal attendant, she now had a maid who stayed by her side twenty-four hours a day. Even if Ye Tian wanted to speak to Lifier, he had to go through her.

As for the other servants, they avoided Ye Tian whenever possible; if they couldn't, they would look down and hurry past. Who would dare associate with the man who had dared to stand up to the master of the house? Ye Tian chuckled as he watched the others bustle about while he remained unoccupied. He suddenly didn't know what to do. "I should find something to do."

Meanwhile, although Lifier was a hundred times reluctant, the maid ignored her protests and continued her twenty-four-hour close-proximity service. Lifier was at a loss; she couldn't exactly freeze her, could she?

Thus, mistress and servant stared at each other. When Lifier got up, the maid followed; when she went to bed, the maid came over to help her change; when Lifier went to the restroom, the maid waited respectfully outside. To outsiders, this was the height of attentiveness, but to Lifier, it was torture—it was blatant surveillance.

Although Lifier had been mentally prepared, she hadn't expected her father to use such a tactic. She felt helpless. Thinking of Ye Tian, she figured he couldn't be having an easy time either, which made her feel slightly more balanced.

Ye Tian, however, was having a grand time. Since he no longer had to wait on the young lady, he finally had time to bond with Old Black. He prepared a basin and brush and began to groom the horse's mane.

"Heh, feels good, doesn't it?" As Ye Tian brushed him, the horse stretched its neck, snorted, glanced at Ye Tian, and closed its eyes. "Fine, you’re the boss!" Having been looked down upon by Old Black once again, Ye Tian felt his dignified image was suffering, but he chuckled and scratched the horse's chin.

"Hiss!" Old Black couldn't take it anymore. Ye Tian was using subtle sword energy; it looked like a scratch, but it felt like a hook. Old Black could no longer pretend and turned to nip at Ye Tian.

"Alright! You dare bite me!" Ye Tian tossed the brush aside and playfully wrestled with Old Black.

"Ho ho ho!" A laugh sounded in his ear. Ye Tian pulled at Old Black's ear and looked over to see the old man he had met earlier.

"Old man, are you visiting Old Black again?" Ye Tian gave a strong tug and let go. Old Black, not to be outdone, saw Ye Tian let go and shoved him with his nose, causing Ye Tian to tumble into the trough.

"Ho ho ho!" The old man was delighted. He had seen many odd characters, but this pair was a real sight. He felt his time was well spent. "What an intelligent horse," the old man said with a smile.

"Old Black, I'm deducting your rations!" Ye Tian poked his head out of the trough and glared at the horse. Old Black snorted, glanced at Ye Tian, and rubbed his head against the old man. "Don't worry, don't worry. If he deducts them, I'll provide them," the old man laughed.

"Old Black, you ungrateful beast!" Ye Tian wailed.

"Young man, you've been the focus of this mansion for the past two days," the old man said, patting Old Black's muzzle.

"What do you mean, old man?" Ye Tian climbed out of the trough and dusted himself off.

"First you lured the young lady to run away, then you stood up to the master, and finally you flirted with a maid. Tsk tsk, a promising youth indeed!" the old man chuckled.

"The lady wanted to go herself; I just followed. I am her attendant, so I should prioritize her needs. Besides, the master was in the wrong; I only spoke the truth. As for flirting with the maid, it was just a touch; it's not like she’d lose a piece of meat," Ye Tian shrugged.

"Oh, so you're in the right, then? But you defied the master—aren't you afraid of punishment?" the old man asked.

"Who says I'm not?" Ye Tian pouted. "But the words are out. What’s done is done. At worst, I’ll be fired. I assume a Prince wouldn't lower himself to bicker with a mere servant."

"That's hard to say." The old man pondered. "Other servants have defied him, and those servants never appeared again." The old man sighed.

"No way!" Ye Tian was startled and began glancing around.

"Well, actually, if you give this horse to me, everything will be fine," the old man continued.

"Pfft, in your dreams!" Ye Tian breathed a sigh of relief. "Old Black is my partner. Unless he wants to leave, I won't give him away."

"Is that so? What a pity." The old man patted the horse's mouth and sighed. "By the way, young man, why did you come to the Imperial Capital?"

"Waiting for someone," Ye Tian said. "Waiting for my younger sister."

"Oh, a sweetheart, perhaps?" the old man teased.

"Old man, what are you talking about? No, it’s just a little sister," Ye Tian said with a bitter smile. "I’m just a manservant; who would want me?"

"Young man, you are too modest. A talented youth like you is hard to find even with a lantern!" the old man said.

"Old man, go ahead and mock me. I'm used to it anyway." Ye Tian shrugged.

"Hehe." The old man patted Old Black’s mouth and turned to leave. Ye Tian watched his retreating figure, rubbed his nose, and picked up the brush to continue working on Old Black.

After grooming the horse, Ye Tian poured more feed into the trough. "Eat up!" He patted Old Black and began to tidy up. As he passed a warehouse, he heard a scream. He dropped his things and rushed over to find a maid teetering on a ladder.

"Watch out!" Ye Tian shouted, but the maid shrieked and fell. Ye Tian reached out and caught her steadily. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I... I'm fine, thank you," the maid said, clutching her chest.

"Why were you climbing so high?" Ye Tian set her down. "What were you trying to get? I'll help you."

"Thank you, there's a coffee pot up there I wanted to get," the maid said. "I've been craving coffee lately. I remember there was one that worked quite well."

"Is it this one?" Ye Tian leaped up and pointed to a large crate.

"Yes, yes, that should be it!" the maid said happily.

"Alright, hold on." Ye Tian pulled the crate halfway out and jumped down. "Get back!" He pushed the maid aside and kicked the shelf.

"Eek!" The maid screamed and covered her eyes.

"What's wrong?" When she opened her eyes, she saw Ye Tian holding the crate steadily.

"Did the things inside break?" the maid asked.

"Good grief, I thought you were worried about me!" Ye Tian set the crate on the ground, and the maid hurried over to open it.

"Cough, cough!" The maid hadn't expected so much dust, and the room was suddenly filled with it. She coughed and stepped back, accidentally stepping on something round.

"Eek!" She screamed again and fell backward.

"Are you okay?" Ye Tian asked.

"I'm fine, cough, cough!" She climbed up and rubbed the back of her head.

"It's black," Ye Tian suddenly remarked.

The maid immediately blushed, clamped her legs together, and tugged at her skirt.

"It smells so good," Ye Tian continued.

"Pervert!" the maid scolded.

"What?" Ye Tian turned to ask.

"Hmph!" The maid turned her head away.

"I didn't expect to see a black one; it's quite strange. I wonder what it tastes like," Ye Tian’s voice sounded again. "Do you like black ones?"

"Pervert!" The maid couldn't take it anymore and slapped Ye Tian, who just happened to turn around holding a jar. *Slap!*

"Why did you hit me?" Ye Tian asked, aggrieved. The maid saw that he was holding a jar of black coffee beans and turned even redder, whispering, "I'm sorry, I thought you were talking about... that."

"What did I say? I was just curious about these beans and asked if you liked them. You didn't have to hit me," Ye Tian rubbed his cheek, which was burning from the force of the blow.

"Waaaah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" The girl covered her face, bowed, and ran away, leaving a bewildered Ye Tian behind. "What on earth is going on?"

"Gray, are you being inappropriate again?" A maid poked her head in. Ye Tian frowned. "Oh, it's you."

"What, do you dislike me that much?" Konia asked with a giggle, then noticed the slap mark on Ye Tian’s face. "Oh, that’s quite clear!"

"What are you doing here? Watching me make a fool of myself?" Ye Tian asked.

"Don't be so cold," Konia chuckled and squatted beside him. "If I weren't here, you’d be in big trouble. Well, not really trouble." She giggled. "Anyway, let me help you apply some ice."

"No need." Ye Tian took out a jade box, and a refreshing scent drifted out.

"What is that? It smells so good," Konia asked.

"None of your business!" Ye Tian retorted, taking a bit of the balm and applying it to his burning face.

"That's not how you do it." Konia snatched the jade box from him. "Let me apply it for you. Just a thin layer, right?" She used her finger to take a little and carefully applied it to Ye Tian’s face.

"Don't move, unless you're afraid I'll eat you!" Konia grabbed his face and finished applying it. "There, that should do it." She put the box away and tucked it into her bodice.

"You..." Ye Tian glared at her.

"What? If you want it, take it yourself." Konia rested her chin in her hands and laughed. "It's not like you haven't touched them before."

"Fine, you win!" Ye Tian snorted, stood up, and covered the crate, intending to put it back.

"Wait, let me see if this coffee is still usable." Konia stopped him and took the jar to smell it. "It's perfectly fine. What a waste it would have been."

"What is this?" Ye Tian couldn't help but ask.

"These are coffee beans," Konia smiled. "They taste great. Later, I'll brew you a cup to try." She looked at the crate. "And there's this too!"

"What is that?" Ye Tian pointed to a container.

"This is used to grind the coffee beans." Konia thought for a moment. "How about this: I'll brew you a cup so you can taste it." She picked up the tools, grabbed Ye Tian, and headed to the dining room.

"Where is it?" Konia looked around. "Here!" She picked up a small stove and a pot, smiling at Ye Tian. "Wait a moment, the beans need to be ground fine to taste good."

"Actually, I don't really want to drink it," Ye Tian said.

"It's fine. My coffee-brewing skills are quite good; I'm sure you'll be satisfied." Konia dropped the black beans into the grinder and slowly turned the handle.

Ye Tian watched as the beans were ground into a fine powder, and he fell into deep thought. "Can you swap these for other beans?" he suddenly asked.

"What kind of beans?"

"Soybeans, for example?"

"I suppose you could, but you can't make coffee from soybeans," Konia said curiously. She poured the grounds into the pot, added water, placed it on the small stove, and went to wash the container.

"That's it?" Ye Tian asked.

"Yes, that's it," Konia smiled. "The key to brewing coffee is the heat. It shouldn't boil over, or the aroma will disappear."

"Isn't that just like brewing tea?" Ye Tian curled his lip. "By the way, do you have larger containers like this?"

"How large?"

Ye Tian gestured with his hands.

"That's almost the size of a water bucket. What do you need something that big for?"

"To grind soybeans," Ye Tian said.

"Why grind soybeans?"

"That's for me to know."

"We don't have one, but if you want to grind soybeans, there is a specialized mill," Konia said.

"A mill?" Ye Tian asked curiously. "Why haven't I seen it?"

"Isn't there one by the water?" Konia replied.

"By the water?" Ye Tian was even more puzzled. "You mean the house with the large fan blades?"

"That's the one. It's a water mill, used specifically for grinding rice and wheat," Konia explained.