Chapter 45: Whose Home

This single cry of "Second Young Master" instantly froze the atmosphere on the scene.

Ye Chutang turned her head toward Ye Mingze. "Mingze, is he calling you?"

Second Young Master—among the five siblings in their family, there was no one ranked second.

Ye Mingze's face flushed and paled in rapid succession.

At that moment, the butler, Yu Hong, noticed that besides Ye Mingze, several others had returned.

He hurriedly asked, "Second Young Master, are these your guests?"

It was strange. Usually, the Second Young Master's companions were nothing more than the profligate sons of the capital, spending their days idling, drinking, and carousing. When had he made friends like these?

Especially the woman in the carriage; though only half the curtain was lifted, one could still catch a glimpse of an incomparably elegant and beautiful countenance.

And there seemed to be a small child inside as well?

This...

Before he could figure it out, Ye Yunfeng, who had rushed to the front, frowned deeply. "What nonsense are you talking! This is clearly our—"

"A-Feng."

Ye Chutang called out to him and stepped down from the carriage.

She stood gracefully with her hands folded over her abdomen. Every movement exuded an innate sense of upbringing; anyone looking at her could tell she was a refined and well-mannered noble lady, meticulously raised by a prominent family.

Yu Hong grew increasingly perplexed.

In the next moment, he saw Ye Mingze explain with an awkward expression, "Uncle Hong, this is my elder cousin."

An elder cousin?

Where did this elder cousin come from?

Ye Mingze could not afford to waste time with him and simply commanded, "Hurry inside and announce it! Tell Father that my elder cousin is back! Oh, and... and two male cousins! And a younger female cousin! They are all back!"

Yu Hong was utterly bewildered.

The Master had returned early today. Seeing that the Second Young Master was not studying diligently but had instead snuck out to play, he had grown angry and was waiting in the study.

He had made himself quite clear just now, and the Second Young Master surely understood, yet why was he not anxious at all? Instead, he had brought back several "cousins" from who-knows-where and was so urgently ordering him to go report?

Was the arrival of these people truly that important?

Suddenly, a cold sneer came from the side.

Ye Yunfeng sounded as if he had heard a joke. "We are returning to our own home, and we actually need an outsider to announce it?!"

This Ye Estate was clearly his home, yet he didn't know when the master had changed!

The smile on Ye Chutang's face faded slightly as she asked in a calm voice, "Mingze, what exactly is going on?"

Her voice was very soft, yet it caused Ye Mingze to shudder involuntarily.

He opened his mouth, but did not know how to explain.

Ye Chutang lifted her chin slightly, her watery gaze sweeping carefully over the main gate before she finally asked softly

"You said you all moved to Liuwan Alley; surely it wouldn't be such a coincidence that you live right here?"

...

"Eldest Miss, these are the new pieces of jewelry sent by Jinyu Pavilion; they are all top-grade. Especially this gold-thread eight-treasure beaded hairpin—it is truly dazzling! When you wear this to the Princess's Spring Flower Banquet in a few days, you will surely outshine all the others!"

The woman sitting before the bronze mirror smiled behind her hand, her eyes shimmering like water.

She was in the prime of her youth, her makeup exquisite, and her Moon-Light Brocade was perfectly tailored. Every gesture carried the aura of someone raised in luxury. When she smiled, her eyes added a touch of haughty brilliance.

"This hairpin is nice, but it's too flamboyant—" She admired herself in the mirror for a moment, removed the hairpin, and replaced it with another. "This jade-inlaid phoenix hairpin is better."

The maid, Shaoyao, said hesitantly, "The clarity of this one is excellent, but isn't it a bit too plain? Eldest Miss, this is your first time being invited to the Spring Flower Banquet; you mustn't let those noble ladies surpass you!"

"It is better to be elegant and understated." Ye Shixian stroked the hairpin. "Those qualified to attend this banquet are all daughters of prestigious families. Especially since Princess Qinyang will be there, why bother showing off and making her unhappy?"

In the past, her father's rank was low. Although she was beautiful, she was not eligible for such occasions.

Because of this, she had been frequently mocked and treated coldly by other noble ladies, both openly and covertly.

Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, she naturally wanted to hold her head high, but she knew the weight of things; Princess Qinyang had already taken a dislike to her before.

Shaoyao curled her lip. "Princess Qinyang is really too much! She has feelings for Young Master Murong, but since Young Master Murong likes you, she takes her anger out on you. She has used such excuses several times before. Is she going to cause trouble for you at this Spring Flower Banquet as well?"

"It is always best to be cautious in speech and action." Ye Shixian tucked the jade-inlaid phoenix hairpin into her hair. "Besides, when the hundred flowers compete in beauty, being the one who does not strive or grab is more unique, is it not?"

Shaoyao's eyes darted around, and she followed with a proud smile. "Eldest Miss is right! In the entire capital, your beauty is second to none! Even if you wore rags, you would be a hundred times more beautiful than them!"

Ye Shixian smiled with composure.

"Alright, put these away. By the way, has Mingze not returned yet?"

"This... he shouldn't be back yet."

Ye Shixian frowned slightly. "His playful nature really needs to be disciplined; Mother spoils him too much."

Shaoyao said eagerly, "Eldest Miss need not worry. The Second Young Master is actually very clever; he just has a great heart for play! If he spent just a little more effort on his studies, why would he worry about achieving official status? You—"

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a servant rushing in from outside. "Eldest Miss!"

Ye Shixian closed the jewelry box with a somewhat dissatisfied "thud," neither too light nor too heavy.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

The servant stood outside the door, his expression complicated.

"You... you—the Master told you to go there immediately! Please, go quickly!"

Ye Shixian was stunned. "Father? What happened?"

The servant rubbed his hands, seemingly unsure of how to say it. After a long moment, he stammered, "I don't know clearly, I... I only heard that some guests have returned with the Second Young Master! And they said... they said something about elder cousins and younger cousins..."

*Clatter.*

The wooden comb in Ye Shixian's hand instantly fell to the floor.

She stood up abruptly, her face full of disbelief. "What!?"

...

Ye Shixian rushed toward the study. Just as she reached the courtyard entrance, she bumped into Ye Heng, who was walking out.

"Father?"

She took a step forward, both shocked and confused.

"Th-they really have returned!?"

Ye Heng stood with his hands behind his back, his fists clenched tight. His eyes shifted with conflicting emotions, but he said, "That is what the servant said, but I haven't seen them yet. I am heading to the front hall now."

Ye Shixian opened her mouth, but did not know what to say.

"How... how can this be... didn't they say they had all..."

Ye Heng interrupted her. "There is no use in talking about this. We must see for ourselves to know the truth!"

...

Ye Chutang crossed the main gate and walked straight through to the front hall.

She sat down of her own accord and said, "A-Yan, A-Feng, sit. After such a long journey, you should rest well once you are home."

As she spoke, she looked up at Ye Mingze. "Mingze, you sit as well."

Ye Mingze, however, was restless and could only command the butler, "What are you standing there for! Go brew some tea!"

Yet in the next second, he heard Ye Chutang say with a half-smile, "No need to trouble yourself. When returning to one's own home, there is no reason to make guests work to host you."

Ye Mingze's heart instantly tightened.

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

An urgent voice called out, "Chutang! Is it truly you all who have returned!?"

Ye Chutang calmly raised her eyes to look—

(End of Chapter)