Old Madam Shen let out a long sigh. Although she didn't say the words that followed, the meaning was very clear. As the saying goes, "when it rains, it pours," and that's exactly the situation now. The world was already beginning to descend into chaos, and now this business with the Gold Silk Armor had emerged. Isn't this going to make the world even more chaotic?

Shen Tianjun was also frowning. He clearly understood that anything related to the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates would attract a lot of bloodshed. The Wanyan Clan used such a method to seal this Gold Silk Armor, indicating how much they valued it, and it was evident that the secret within this armor was very significant. What kind of secret could be comparable to the opening of the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates?

"No matter what, this Gold Silk Armor must not fall into the hands of Prince Wan Yan!" Ye Qing said in a deep voice. "This Gold Silk Armor is of great importance, and it might contain some secret. Yet, Prince Wan Yan is a man of ill intentions. If he obtains the secret within, it could endanger the whole world. Senior Shen, I have come here this time with this purpose—to leave the Gold Silk Armor at Shen Family Manor, preventing outsiders from getting their hands on it."

Old Madam Shen furrowed her brows slightly, and Shen Tianjun sighed, speaking softly, "Ye Qing, I know you also want to prevent this chaos from becoming even worse. However, Shen Family Manor has decided not to meddle in any external affairs. This Gold Silk Armor is not suitable to be kept at Shen Family Manor!"

Ye Qing's expression changed as he looked at Shen Tianjun in shock and said, "Senior Shen, if... if this Gold Silk Armor falls into the hands of Prince Wan Yan, it will only cause more chaos in the world."

"The great chaos in the world is destined; it is unavoidable." Shen Tianjun said, "The Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates will open, and three of the seven keys are still with the Shen Family. Our Shen Family is already the target of many. If we do not hand over these three keys, when chaos truly breaks out, our Shen Family will likely be the first to be wiped out. Therefore, not only do I intend to arrange a marriage for Qingyi, but I also want to hand over the three keys. Shen Family Manor will no longer be involved in any of these matters!"

"Yes!" Old Madam Shen nodded as well, saying, "Ye Qing, the Shen Family is not part of the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance, nor is it a member of the Twelve Green Halls. Standing in the middle is already conspicuous, and if we hold onto something related to the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates at this time, it will only invite more covetous eyes. The opening of the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Gates is an opportunity that would make anyone take risks, even daring to strike against our Shen Family. Holding onto these things is like keeping time bombs at Shen Family Manor!"

Ye Qing sighed, understanding the dilemma of Shen Tianjun and Old Madam Shen. When Shen Tianjun first returned to Shen Family Manor, he declared to the world that the people of Shen Family Manor would not leave Xi Hang, refraining from getting involved in any external affairs to avoid the chaos. And now, wanting to leave such an item at Shen Family Manor would indeed bring disaster to the Shen Family. It's only natural that Shen Tianjun and Old Madam Shen are unwilling.

"Since that's the case, I'll just hide this item for now," said Ye Qing. "I estimate that not many people know about this Gold Silk Armor. Although Prince Wan Yan knows about it, he definitely wouldn't dare to spread the news!"

"That should be the case," Shen Tianjun nodded. "But you still need to guard against him making desperate moves. If he can't find this item with you, he might deliberately spread the news, bringing others out to search for it. This Gold Silk Armor is locked with Dragon Blood Wood. Without the key, it's impossible to retrieve the Gold Silk Armor. And this key is most likely still in the hands of the Wanyan family. As long as he holds this key, he has absolute authority."

Ye Qing nodded, aware of this concern. However, since Shen Family Manor can't hold this Gold Silk Armor, he must find another way to hide it, at least to keep Prince Wan Yan from finding it so quickly.

That day, Ye Qing first stayed at Shen Family Manor, taking some time to rest here. Actually, it's mainly because he still had some attachment in his heart. He dared not meet Shen Qingyi, because he did not know what to say if he did meet her, not even knowing how to face her. So, in the end, he chose not to go, thinking it might be the best choice to keep them from meeting.

In the afternoon, Shen Tianjun pulled Li Bing'en aside to check his martial arts progress. Li Bing'en was indeed no slouch and was among the best of his generation. Moreover, Shen Tianjun taught him with sincere dedication, imparting almost all he could.

Of course, during this time, Shen Tianjun also gave Ye Qing some guidance. Especially regarding the stepping technique, Shen Tianjun had research in Tai Chi Bagua Qimen Dunjia and was more knowledgeable than Ye Qing, teaching him quite a bit. However, Ye Qing could only manage up to the fifth step and could not proceed any further. After all, he had no studies in Tai Chi Bagua Qimen Dunjia, so reaching this point was already quite an achievement for him.

Reaching the fifth step, Ye Qing gradually understood the changes in this stepping technique. Although it was merely five simple steps, each step could change into another, such that, through alternate movements and with the addition of fists and kicks, just five steps could yield hundreds to thousands of transformations. If he could finish all steps in this technique, as Shen Tianjun said, it could indeed have countless changes with incomparable power.

After practicing the whole afternoon, Shen Tianjun's time there was not long, as he still needed to host Helian Tiehua and Prince Nalan in the front. However, with Shen Tianjun's guidance, Ye Qing practiced with increased ease and gained much in a single day. Even when facing Bei Shisan now, Ye Qing would definitely fare better and win more easily than before.

Ye Qing did not stay long at Shen Family Manor. He had not intended to stay long in the first place, and after learning about the arranged marriage for Shen Qingyi, he felt even more melancholy and truly did not want to linger at Shen Family Manor. He feared he would be unable to resist going to see Shen Qingyi. So, after dinner, he bid farewell to the Shen Family members and left Shen Family Manor.

In the afternoon, Ye Qing had already planned to leave Shen Family Manor, but he knew there were still many people watching him. Leaving during the day would be too conspicuous. Given the personalities of Northern Martial Zen and Prince Wan Yan, they might dispatch people to watch for him outside, so Ye Qing opted to leave Shen Family Manor quietly at night for a safer exit.

Shen Tianjun was greeting guests in the front courtyard, so it was Old Madam Shen who personally escorted Ye Qing out of Shen Family Manor. Watching Ye Qing walk alone on the small path outside the manor, Old Madam Shen couldn't help but sigh repeatedly. In her heart, she felt very guilty. This time, not only could the Shen Family not offer any help to Ye Qing, but they were also arranging a marriage for Shen Qingyi. She knew Ye Qing must be feeling very upset.

Despite her guilt, she had no other choice. She knew Ye Qing's character: once he set his heart on Huangfu Ziyu, he would certainly walk the path to be with her, leaving no place for Shen Qingyi. Instead of letting Shen Qingyi wait foolishly for a lifetime, it was better to cut the confusion swiftly and end the matter quickly. Otherwise, it would only hurt more in the future.

"Let's go." Old Madam Shen gently sighed, supporting Shen Lingwei as they slowly walked towards the back courtyard.

Though Shen Lingwei's eyes couldn't see, her heart saw clearer than anyone else's. Following Old Madam Shen, she spoke softly, "Grandmother, honestly, Ye and Ms. Qingyi are more compatible."

"What difference does it make?" Old Madam Shen said softly, "He's already with Zi Yu. Zi Yu is deeply in love with him and has done so much for him. As a man, he must bear this responsibility. If he's with Zi Yu, what about Qingyi?"

Shen Lingwei replied softly, "Who has decreed that when one gives a lot, the other must assume responsibility?"

Old Madam Shen paused slightly and then said, "No one decreed it, but you know that Zi Yu almost lost her life for Ye Qing. If Ye Qing doesn't assume this responsibility, can you still rely on this man?"

Shen Lingwei remained silent for a while and sighed softly, "Then what about Ms. Qingyi?"

"Time heals all wounds; she'll get over it with time." Old Madam Shen extended her hand to gently embrace Shen Lingwei and said, "After getting through this period, your sister will gradually forget him."

"Is it really so easy to forget someone?"

In Shen Qingyi's courtyard, dressed in black, Shen Qingyi cautiously peeked out from her room, looking around to ensure no one was in the courtyard. Then, she quickly stepped out, carrying a small bundle she had prepared long ago. Ever since she learned of the family's arrangement for her marriage, she had been planning to leave Shen Family Manor, and today, she finally took action.

Holding the bundle, Shen Qingyi tried to move silently and finally reached the courtyard gate. However, just as she was about to push it open, a female voice came from behind, "Miss, where are you going?"

Turning her head, Shen Qingyi saw her maid Lili had somehow appeared not far behind her, watching her.

Shen Qingyi was startled, hesitated a bit and whispered, "Lili, you grew up with me. You know better than anyone what I have on my mind. Grandfather and grandmother want to arrange a marriage for me, but I really don't want such a marriage. Lili, please pretend you didn't see me, and let me leave."

"Miss, I indeed understand how you feel," Lili sighed, "but even if I let you leave, how far can you go? The Master and Old Madam know you don't want the marriage, and they've already arranged people to keep watch outside. Miss, even if I let you go, you definitely won't be able to leave this courtyard."