Chapter 62: Dowry (Fifth Update)

Shen Yanchuan walked inward until he reached the pavilion in the center of the lake.

The butler announced excitedly, "The Heir is here!"

The Grand Princess, who was sitting in the pavilion feeding fish, acted as if she hadn't heard, continuing to toss fish food into the pond.

Shen Yanchuan approached and bowed. "Grandmother, your grandson is late."

Only then did the Grand Princess turn her head to look at him.

This Grand Princess, who had once fought on battlefields and earned great merit in protecting the nation, was nearing sixty, yet her eyes were clear and her spirit was vigorous. Her graying hair was neatly combed up, and though there were wrinkles on her face, it was not hard to see how heroic and breathtakingly beautiful she had been in her youth.

"It is difficult for you to even remember an old woman like me," the Grand Princess spoke slowly. "Have your injuries healed?"

The corners of Shen Yanchuan's lips curled slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Your grandson is doing well."

The Grand Princess snorted coldly. "If I hadn't urged you today, when did you plan on coming? You've been away from the capital for years and didn't even know how to return!"

Shen Yanchuan fell silent for a moment. "...Did you not just go to Huizhou two months ago?"

The Grand Princess swung her cane at him. "Don't you dare! I had barely left when you were nearly beaten half to death. What a disgrace!"

Shen Yanchuan did not dodge or avoid, allowing the cane to strike him, and smiled. "Am I not perfectly fine now?"

In the end, the Grand Princess pulled back her strength.

Ever since she received news of Shen Yanchuan's injuries, she had been worried sick in the capital. She had finally waited for him to return to the capital, yet he had delayed and delayed.

Although she guessed that his claim of "recovering from injuries" was merely an excuse, she could not set her mind at ease as long as she hadn't seen him for a single day.

Only now, seeing him in person, could she finally feel at peace.

Shen Yanchuan took some fish food and sat by the Grand Princess's side to help feed the fish.

But the Grand Princess hadn't truly brought him here to do such chores.

"Yanchuan, you are already of age this year; it is time for you to marry and start a family." The Grand Princess quickly got to the point. "I mentioned this to you twice before, and you declined both times. But now that you have returned to the capital, you can finally make a proper selection, can't you?"

Shen Yanchuan showed little interest.

Seeing his nonchalant manner, the Grand Princess knew he wasn't taking her words to heart.

"Your father is always busy with his own affairs and never worries about such things. Do you really intend to keep delaying this indefinitely?"

The Grand Princess was practically distressed.

Her precious grandson had been born handsome; when he was in his teens, he had attracted countless noble daughters in the capital.

Yet, he himself had never been particularly interested in such matters, and his departure to the North several years ago had caused even more delay.

"Go and look at the young masters in the capital who are around your age. Even if they aren't married, they at least have people attending to them. And you?" The Grand Princess spoke with great disdain.

Shen Yanchuan remained unmoved.

Recalling something, the Grand Princess lowered her voice and asked, "Tell your grandmother the truth. When you went to the Ye residence yesterday, was it for the Ye family daughter?"

Shen Yanchuan's eyelashes flickered slightly, and for a moment, he did not deny it.

The Grand Princess wore an "I knew it" expression.

"I knew it! They say that Ye family daughter is beautiful and well-educated. Although her background is a bit low, if you like her, then—"

Shen Yanchuan felt something was wrong. "Who are you talking about?"

The Grand Princess froze. "The elder sister of the Ye family's twins! Her name is... Ye Shixian?"

Shen Yanchuan frowned slightly. "It has nothing to do with her. I do not know her."

The Grand Princess was somewhat shocked. "Then why did you make a special trip to the Ye residence yesterday?"

She knew her grandson too well; he was extremely intelligent by nature, but also quite lazy, and never did anything meaningless.

She did not believe Ye Heng had enough influence to invite him.

Shen Yanchuan pondered for a moment. "The physician who treated me previously is the second young lady the Ye family just brought back. I went to pay my respects and express my gratitude."

The Grand Princess truly did not know this and was very surprised. "The one who saved you was a young lady?"

Shen Yanchuan nodded.

The Grand Princess murmured, "She must indeed have some skill..."

Shen Yanchuan said, "Her medical skills are indeed top-tier."

The Grand Princess gave him an extra glance. "It is rare to hear you praise someone so highly. When there is an opportunity, I must see her with my own eyes."

Then she felt a bit disappointed.

"And here I thought you finally had a woman you liked. What a waste of my worry..."

For some reason, a gentle and elegant face suddenly surfaced in Shen Yanchuan's mind.

***

Just as Ye Heng returned to the manor, Ye Chutang came looking for him.

He frowned, unable to guess why Ye Chutang was visiting at this hour, but he still invited her into the study.

"Chutang, do you have business with me?"

Ye Chutang bowed. "Indeed, there is one matter I would like to ask Second Uncle to help with."

Ye Heng said, "Speak."

Ye Chutang deliberated for a moment before saying, "I remember that back in the capital, besides this residence, Father had over a dozen shops and hundreds of acres of land. I wonder if those land deeds are currently in Second Uncle's hands?"

Ye Heng's eyelid twitched—here it comes!

Ever since Ye Chutang and the others returned, he knew this question would eventually come!

He just hadn't expected Ye Chutang to be so composed, waiting until now.

He nodded. "That is correct."

Ye Chutang looked at him. "Second Uncle, to be honest, I am currently a bit short on money. Therefore, I wonder if you could return those things to me?"

Ye Heng was stunned. "Short on money? Why is that?"

When Ye Chutang and the others returned, although their food and clothing seemed ordinary, they didn't look particularly destitute.

How could they suddenly be short on money?

Ye Chutang sighed. "There is something you do not know. Previously, when I was with A-Yan, A-Feng, and Xiao Wu, there was a period when we had no means of livelihood, so I borrowed some money. Although I later opened a medical clinic, the income was not enough to cover the expenses, and we were barely scraping by. Furthermore—"

She paused, appearing somewhat helpless.

"Furthermore, you know how impulsive A-Feng is. He has caused quite a bit of trouble and paid out a lot of money in compensation. Over the past three years, there is indeed a large hole that needs to be filled."

In the courtyard, Ye Yunfeng, who was practicing martial arts, felt his nose itch and let out a massive sneeze.

"Achoo—!"

He rubbed his face and turned to ask Ye Jingyan, "Third Brother, do you think Sister can get all of Father and Mother's money back by herself?"

Ye Jingyan did not even look up, merely turning a page of his book. "Of course she can."

"It was ours to begin with."

***

After listening to Ye Chutang's words, Ye Heng's brow gradually furrowed.

He placed his hands behind his back and paced back and forth before letting out a long sigh.

"Chutang, there is something you do not know. Those shops haven't actually made much profit, and the harvests from the land were poor, so not much money was collected. How about this: just tell me how much you need, and your Second Uncle will give it to you!"

The corners of Ye Chutang's eyebrows lifted; she almost wanted to applaud.

How incredibly generous.

Seeing that Ye Chutang did not speak, Ye Heng added, "But rest assured, these things still belong to you. Your Second Uncle is merely keeping them on your behalf for now! A-Yan and A-Feng are still young, and you are a young lady; it would be too much trouble for you to manage these. Once they are older in a few years, these will naturally be returned to them!"

He said with a smile, "When the time comes, I will select some from them to serve as your dowry, and I will add even more to it myself to ensure you marry with great honor!"

Ye Chutang's eyebrows arched.

"Dowry?"

She had just returned, and he was already planning to kick her out?