Chapter 47: Not Going

As his voice fell, Ye Heng's eyelid twitched. "Absolutely not!"

He rushed forward to block Ye Chutang's path, his expression urgent. "You have finally made it back; there is no logic in you going out to stay in an inn!"

Without a second thought, he immediately barked at Ye Mingze, "You! Vacate your room immediately!"

Ye Mingze was not having it. He had lived in that room for three years and was long accustomed to it! How could Ye Chutang demand he move out with just a single sentence?

"Dad! Isn't there plenty of space in this house? Why must it be my room?" Ye Mingze was highly dissatisfied. "Besides, I have too many things over there. Moving them back and forth is such a hassle!"

Ye Heng's chest ached with rage as he snapped sternly, "If I tell you to move, then move! Stop talking so much!"

Ye Mingze shuddered, and his previous arrogant dissatisfaction finally subsided significantly.

He was a profligate by nature, and the only person he feared was his father. Even on days when he neglected his studies, his father had never made such a grand scene.

Ye Shixian stepped out to mediate. "Alright, Mingze. Your elder cousins have suffered so much over these past three years; just give up the room. We are all family, so why be so petty?"

The last half of her sentence seemed to carry a hidden thorn.

Ye Chutang's expression remained indifferent. "Second Uncle, there is no need for such trouble. The capital is vast; it won't be difficult for us to find a place to rest elsewhere."

As she spoke, she took Xiaowu by the hand and prepared to walk out.

Ye Heng gave Ye Mingze a harsh kick.

"What are you standing there for! Go now! Are you really going to let your cousins suffer grievances outside!"

Caught off guard, Ye Mingze was nearly kicked to the ground. Unable to voice his anger, he left with teeth clenched and a heart full of resentment.

Yu Hong hurried after him, while simultaneously calling out to the servants in the courtyard, "Follow them! Second Young Master, please do not worry; leave these matters to us!"

The group quickly disappeared, heading to the eastern side wing to pack the room.

Only then did Ye Heng look at Ye Chutang, promising earnestly, "Chutang, rest assured. Although your eldest uncle and the others are gone, your Second Uncle will certainly take good care of you all in their stead!"

He comforted her, "A-Yan and A-Feng will still stay in their original rooms. Furthermore, don't worry, your room hasn't been touched. I will just have the servants give it a thorough cleaning in a moment!"

Ye Chutang lifted her eyelashes slightly, her eyes returning to their usual gentle and peaceful state. It seemed as though the sharp, cold edge from moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.

She smiled faintly. "Thank you for your understanding, Second Uncle. It is not that I am being unreasonable, but that eastern side wing was originally the residence my father specially prepared for my elder brother. Even though he is no longer with us, keeping a room there allows us some sense of connection to him."

Ye Heng naturally nodded in agreement repeatedly.

Not wanting to dwell on the matter further, he changed the subject. "It must have been exhausting for you all on your journey back to the capital. Why don't you go to the back courtyard to rest first? Your room will be cleaned shortly, and I will have people provide you with new bedding. Also, if there is anything else you need, do not hesitate to tell your Second Uncle!"

Ye Chutang finally nodded. "Very well."

...

Watching Ye Chutang and the others depart, Ye Heng let out a long sigh of relief, yet the weight hanging in his chest refused to lift.

He turned to Ye Shixian and said, "Keep an eye on Mingze these next two days. Make sure he doesn't clash with them! It is just a room; just give it up. It isn't worth getting angry over!"

Ye Shixian nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I understand."

Ye Heng placed his hands behind his back and let out a long sigh. "If Mingze had even half of your intelligence, I wouldn't have to worry like this every single day!"

Ye Shixian smiled and said, "He is just a bit too fond of playing. As long as you discipline him strictly in the future, Father, there is no need to fear he won't become a man of talent."

Ye Heng shook his head. No one knew his son better than himself; he knew exactly what kind of person he was! His son was useless, but fortunately, his daughter was easy to manage.

"In the future, you should also look into things more. See what their situation was like while they were away for these three years."

"Alright."

...

Returning to her room, Ye Shixian drifted into thought, constantly replaying the scenes from just now. She had never imagined that Ye Chutang and the others would actually return. Given the current situation...

"Eldest Miss, it is a good thing you had the foresight not to choose that western side wing! Otherwise, I think that Ye Chutang would have driven you out as well!" Shaoyao curled her lip. "She is nothing more than an orphan without parents, yet she has such a temper! Does she not realize who is running the Ye household now?!"

Ye Shixian picked up a wooden comb and slowly brushed her hair. Looking down, she said nonchalantly, "There is something you do not know. This cousin of mine has been frail and sickly since childhood. She looks as though she might be blown away by a breeze after walking just a few steps; she has lived with medicinal pots by her side for years. Who knows if the places she stays in might be tainted by her sickness?"

Shaoyao realized. "So that's how it is! In that case, isn't their whole family quite unlucky?"

Ye Shixian glanced at her. "Do not speak such things recklessly outside in the future."

Shaoyao gave her a pleasing smile. "Rest assured, Eldest Miss! My mouth is very tight!"

Ye Shixian thought for a moment. "Let's pick out some gifts to send over later."

...

Meanwhile, Ye Heng had just returned to his study, contemplating how to settle Ye Chutang and the others, when a woman adorned in pearls and jewels marched in angrily.

"Master! What is the meaning of this!"

It was none other than Ye Heng's legal wife, Lady Gao, the biological mother of Ye Shixian and Ye Mingze.

She had gone to the cloth shop today, thinking of having a few more outfits made for Ye Shixian since the Morning Flower Banquet was approaching. She hadn't expected to return to such shocking news.

—The four Ye Chutang siblings had actually returned from the dead! Not only that, but upon their arrival, they had immediately driven Mingze out of his own room!

Lady Gao was both shocked and furious, finding the matter utterly irrational.

"Even if they are your nieces and nephews, they cannot treat Mingze so unfairly! Where in the world are there such robbers! The moment they step through the door, they drive others out!"

Ye Heng said irritably, "What do you know! At this critical juncture, if outsiders find out they left the Ye residence on their very first day back to stay elsewhere, where would I hide my face!"

Lady Gao trembled, finally remembering that Ye Heng had been promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Invitations had already been sent out, and in a few days, he would be hosting many colleagues at the manor.

At a time like this, if rumors spread that he had seized his deceased elder brother's private residence, leaving the brother's bloodline with nowhere to go upon their return to the capital, his reputation would be ruined!

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the fire in Lady Gao's heart finally subsided.

She gripped her handkerchief and said indignantly, "Fine! Xian'er is about to attend the Morning Flower Banquet; I will not bicker with them! Finding a good marriage alliance for Xian'er is the most important thing!"

At this, a hint of triumph appeared on her face.

"Xian'er's beauty and temperament are unmatched even in the entire capital! This trip to the Morning Flower Banquet will surely attract the favor of many noble families!"

Ye Heng, however, was somewhat distracted. A gentle and elegant face inexplicably surfaced in his mind. Xian'er was indeed extremely beautiful, but when standing next to Ye Chutang, she seemed strangely plain by comparison...

Unaware of his thoughts, Lady Gao remembered something else, her eyes lighting up as she whispered, "By the way, I heard that the Marquis of Dingbei's manor has also sent an invitation?"

Mentioning this, Ye Heng's expression finally improved. He stroked his beard.

"The Heir of the Marquis of Dingbei has returned to the capital after many years. Now that I have been promoted to the fourth rank, it is perfectly fine to invite him."

...

The Marquis of Dingbei's Manor.

Shen Yanchuan lay slanted in a rattan chair, lazily flipping through a scroll in his hand. Without even lifting his eyes, he said indifferently

"I'm not going."

(End of Chapter)