Chapter 43: Gods and Demons

Ye Mingze's face turned deathly pale in an instant. His legs went weak, and he nearly tumbled straight down the stairs.

It was only thanks to the quick reflexes of those nearby that he was barely managed to be held up.

"Brother Mingze, what's wrong with you?"

Seeing his reaction, the others were filled with confusion, their gazes shifting incessantly between the two parties.

"You... know each other?"

Ye Mingze gripped the wrist of the person beside him tightly. It took several attempts before he could manage to stand steadily, yet his eyes were filled with terror as he looked at the young girl.

His right hand trembled as he pointed at Ye Chutang, stammering, "A ghost! A ghost!"

This cry immediately drew the attention of many people, who began to peer over curiously.

Ye Chutang looked around, her eyebrows arching slightly as she asked with a hint of confusion, "What are you saying? It's broad daylight; where would a ghost come from?"

As she spoke, she tilted her chin up slightly. "A-Yan, A-Feng, how can you not even greet your cousins when you see them?"

Ye Jingyan stood up immediately. His refined and handsome face came clearly into Ye Mingze's still-terrified vision.

He gave an apologetic smile and bowed politely. "Please forgive me, Cousin. I failed to recognize you just now."

Ye Yunfeng reluctantly put down his chopsticks and gave a lazy greeting as well. "Cousin."

Ye Chutang stroked Xiao Wu's head, a smile playing on her lips, and introduced, "This is Lingzhi."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu obediently looked up and blinked at Ye Mingze. His large, grape-like eyes were pure and unfamiliar.

*—So this is the one Fourth Brother mentioned? The one who used to love snatching our things and always ran to tattle on us when we were little? But why didn't Fourth Brother say he was such a coward?*

*And more importantly, he's ugly.*

She withdrew her gaze with a hint of boredom and swung her feet.

Ye Mingze felt a numbness spreading across his scalp, as if his soul were about to flee his body.

He simply could not believe his eyes. He rubbed them hard, only to find that nothing had changed.

Those familiar yet strange faces, which he thought he would never see again in his lifetime, had actually appeared before his eyes once more!

Cold sweat poured from his forehead, his throat went dry, and he subconsciously looked down at Ye Chutang's feet.

Are... are there shadows?

Then they... they really aren't ghosts, but humans?

Seeing him like this, Ye Chutang blinked, a look of concern appearing on her face.

"Mingze, are you feeling unwell?"

"Unwell" was an understatement; Ye Mingze was completely falling apart!

Han Yao had never expected that his attempt to strike up a conversation with this rare beauty and curry favor with Ye Mingze would result in such a massive blunder.

He was instantly mortified, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. "Brother Mingze, is... is this your cousin? Why... why haven't you mentioned her before..."

Ye Mingze had much to say but found it impossible to speak; a lump of frustration was stuck in his chest.

How could he have known!

How could anyone mention someone who was supposed to have died three years ago? And who could have imagined they would meet again!

The others nearby quickly exchanged glances and stepped in to smooth things over.

"Yes, yes! We really haven't seen her before!"

"No wonder you kept looking over there just now. Did you just recognize her too?"

"What a coincidence, haha! To run into you here! Brother Mingze, why don't you introduce us?"

Ye Mingze finally managed to claw back a shred of sanity.

Realizing his loss of composure, he took a deep breath and forced a smile.

However, the look in his eyes as he gazed at Ye Chutang and the others was extremely complicated.

"Cou... Cousin, is it really you? But weren't you—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

How could he ask such things in front of so many people!

The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curved slightly. "We were delayed by some accidents, so we are only returning now. Having been away for so long, the capital is still as prosperous and bustling as ever. By the way, I heard you mentioning just now that Second Uncle has been promoted to the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review? My congratulations."

If anyone else had said this, Ye Mingze would have been immensely proud, but the person saying it was Ye Chutang!

He had to cheer himself up several times in his heart before he finally managed to move his still-weak legs.

"You... you're back, why didn't you say something in advance?"

His words carried a faint hint of reproach.

Ye Chutang smiled with a calm and gentle expression. "There were many matters to attend to, so we didn't have time."

With that said, no matter how much dissatisfaction Ye Mingze felt, he could not voice it.

He walked down the stairs, but still maintained a distance from Ye Chutang and the others. Whether out of fear or some other reason, he did not approach further.

In contrast, Ye Chutang was much more relaxed and at ease.

"A-Yan, A-Feng, sit down and eat. The food will get cold if you wait too long."

As she spoke, she turned to Ye Mingze. "Mingze, would you like to join us?"

Ye Mingze responded reflexively, "No need!"

After saying this, he realized his reaction was too extreme and hurriedly explained, "I... I already ate upstairs!"

Ye Chutang smiled faintly.

Three years ago, Ye Mingze's father—her biological second uncle, Ye Heng—was merely an unremarkable Rank 6 Right Assistant of the Court of Judicial Review. In just three short years, he had risen several ranks to become a Rank 4 Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

As a result, his son, Ye Mingze, had also become much more extravagant and generous, easily entering the private rooms of Lanyue Pavilion and becoming an object of flattery for many profligate youths.

Three years had truly brought too many events and too many changes.

She placed a piece of mandarin fish into Xiao Wu's bowl.

"This fish has no bones, want to try some?"

Xiao Wu took a bite, his eyes instantly lighting up. He nodded vigorously and then handed a peeled shrimp to Ye Chutang.

*—Delicious! Sister eat too!*

Watching this scene, and seeing Ye Chutang's unwavering composure from beginning to end, Ye Mingze couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling both angry and vexed.

He didn't know why, but just by sitting there, Ye Chutang seemed to carry an invisible aura that made him feel instinctively nervous!

But he was no longer the person he was three years ago! His father was now a Rank 4 official of the imperial court! He was many times more powerful than Ye Chutang and her group!

At this thought, he wanted to return to his manor immediately to inform his father of the news that Ye Chutang and the others were alive. But if he left just like this, who knew what Ye Chutang and the others would do next!

After much deliberation, Ye Mingze decided he needed to keep a close eye on their situation.

He turned to Han Yao and the others. "I won't be joining you today. My cousins have arrived, so I will take them back later."

The others naturally did not object. They exchanged glances and took their leave in unison.

However, as they left, they couldn't help but let their gazes linger on Ye Chutang for a moment longer.

Her grace and temperament were even more striking than those of Ye Mingze's sister, who was known as the number one beauty in the capital...

But in the next moment, they saw the youth sitting to Ye Chutang's right suddenly turn his head toward them, his handsome features carrying a dangerous warning.

With just one glance, the group felt a chill run down their spines and hurriedly averted their eyes.

Ye Chutang did not pay them any mind. She only looked at Ye Mingze and said with a faint smile, "Mingze, thank you for your kindness, but since it is our first day back in the capital, we plan to go home first. After we have rested, we will formally visit Second Uncle's manor tomorrow."

Ye Mingze's face instantly stiffened.

Ye Chutang asked as if casually, "By the way, are you still living in Fengling Alley?"