Chapter 28: Do You Want to Return to the Capital?

He picked up the book and casually flipped to a page.

With just a single glance, the casualness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a rare seriousness.

Just as he intended to turn the page to read further, Ye Yunfeng came running over with large strides.

"Xiao Wu, are you alright?"

Shen Yanchuan released his grip, and Xiao Wu turned to shake her head at Ye Yunfeng.

Ye Yunfeng pulled her close and looked her up and down; only after confirming she was indeed fine did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He straightened his posture and bowed to Shen Yanchuan. "I am truly sorry. Xiao Wu was busy delivering books to Third Brother and might have been running too fast; she didn't notice you."

Shen Yanchuan naturally would not hold a grudge against a child. Seeing that Ye Yunfeng's eyes were fixed on his hand, the corners of his lips curled slightly as he handed the book back.

"It is no matter."

Ye Yunfeng took the book back into his hands, and his racing heart finally settled.

Third Brother had instructed him that these books in the house were precious items and should not be shown to outsiders casually.

He thanked Shen Yanchuan again while holding onto Xiao Wu, and then ran off.

Shen Yanchuan also returned to his room.

As he lay reclining on the soft couch, the scene from moments ago kept flashing before his eyes.

He had been well-read since childhood, yet in all his memory, he had never seen this particular volume.

Furthermore, although he had only skimmed a single page, he felt deeply that the book was anything but simple. Logically speaking, a book like this should not be obscure.

Not to mention the title of the book.

"Taizong..." Shen Yanchuan narrowed his eyes, murmuring softly.

Taizong had passed away decades ago; an ordinary person would not mention him lightly. How could that book...

"Lian Zhou, you mentioned before that both brothers of the Ye family attend classes at the academy?"

Lian Zhou did not know why his master had suddenly brought this up, but he nodded. "Yes. However, I have heard that the academy's masters are not very kind to them."

It didn't take much thought to know why.

The Ye family had been targeted recently, and the academy masters had likely heard something, leading them to treat the Ye brothers with coldness.

In a small place, such situations were inevitable; once there was even a ripple of movement, everyone would know at the fastest speed.

Shen Yanchuan thought for a moment and said, "Go tell them that I am recuperating here and, having nothing to do, wish to borrow a few books to read."

Lian Zhou was surprised. "You wish to borrow books here?"

The master's home possessed a vast sea of books; why would he—

But seeing Shen Yanchuan's determined expression, Lian Zhou did not ask further and simply complied.

"Yes!"

...

"He wants to borrow books?"

Ye Chutang was somewhat surprised.

Ye Jingyan nodded. "Yes. His attendant said he finds it boring here and wants to borrow a few books for amusement."

He asked hesitantly, "Does Sister mean we should lend them to him?"

Ye Chutang smiled. "It is just a few books; lend them to him. Just pick two volumes of travelogues to send over."

After all, the man was paying to stay here; this kind of convenience ought to be provided.

Ye Jingyan understood her intent. "Alright, I understand."

Seeing him turn to leave, Ye Chutang called out to him again. "A-Yan, wait."

Ye Jingyan turned back. "Sister?"

Ye Chutang asked after some deliberation, "How have you been at the academy lately? Have the masters been intentionally making things difficult for you?"

Ye Jingyan hadn't expected her to ask this suddenly and was momentarily stunned.

He instinctively moved to shake his head, but since the person before him was his sister, he hesitated for a moment before speaking honestly. "It wouldn't exactly be called intentional difficulty. Perhaps it is because my schoolwork isn't good enough, and the masters have always been strict, so..."

"Then it is still difficulty."

How could Ye Chutang fail to hear the true meaning behind his euphemisms?

In truth, she had known for a long time that the masters disliked A-Yan and A-Feng. When they had first arrived in Jiangling, the brothers knew it wouldn't be easy to establish themselves here; even when the masters gave them cold looks, they had endured it.

The masters held considerable status in Jiangling; offending them would surely lead to inconveniences everywhere.

But their tolerance and concessions had clearly not earned them the other party's forbearance; instead, the treatment had only worsened.

Ye Chutang handed over a bottle of ointment. "Don't forget to apply medicine to the wound on your hand."

Ye Jingyan forced a relaxed smile. "It is almost healed; Sister needn't worry."

Yet Ye Chutang still pressed the medicine into his hand. Looking at the scar on his palm that had not yet fully faded, she said softly, "A-Yan, you are different from A-Feng. He has been tough since childhood and is someone who cannot sit still; if he gets beaten for failing to memorize his lessons, it is his own fault. But you have always been sensible. Among children your age, if you say you are second in studies, no one would dare claim to be first."

"These hands of yours are meant for writing essays."

Ye Jingyan froze, lowering his head and remaining silent for a long time.

He simply... did not want to make his sister worry.

Ye Chutang patted his shoulder. At thirteen, A-Yan's body had begun to grow tall. The boy who was once only as high as her chest, with eyes full of panic and despair, had somehow grown to be as tall as her, and would likely surpass her soon.

After a pause, Ye Chutang asked, "A-Yan, do you want to return to the capital to study?"

Ye Jingyan looked at her in shock.

"Sister?"

Ye Chutang said, "Just answer yes or no."

Ye Jingyan pursed his lips, remaining silent for a long time.

To say no would be a lie, but... how could they possibly go back now?

Ye Jingyan finally shook his head and said firmly, "I only want to be with Sister, A-Feng, and Xiao Wu. Nothing else matters."

In his heart, family always came first.

Ye Chutang was not surprised by this answer.

When the incident happened years ago, A-Yan was only ten, but he had been intelligent and precocious since childhood. Especially after experiencing those events, his thoughts had become much deeper.

A-Feng was clearly around the same age, yet he remained carefree to this day, whereas A-Yan was entirely different.

Ye Chutang had been able to settle them successfully in Jiangling largely because A-Yan had helped her quite a bit.

But studying was something that could not be delayed.

In this era, education was the best way out, not to mention they could not truly stay in this tiny Jiangling forever.

She still had many things she had to do.

Ye Chutang said, "If you want to, we will go back."

Ye Jingyan's heart gave a heavy thud. "Sister—"

The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curled slightly. "A letter has arrived from the capital."

Ye Jingyan's eyes widened instantly, showing a rare look of urgency. "Really!?"

Ye Chutang nodded, her tone remaining calm, yet a thin layer of coldness seemed to flicker in her dark, gentle eyes.

"That accident back then was not an accident. The people who killed Father, Mother, and Eldest Brother were not ordinary mountain bandits."

Ye Jingyan felt as if a massive stone were pressing down on his chest, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Three years ago, when Father was demoted, their family encountered a band of fierce bandits on the way to Wuzhou, resulting in heavy casualties.

Later, it was only because Sister had led them to blend into the ranks of fleeing refugees that they had barely survived.

In the three years since, Sister had been secretly investigating the truth of that year. Had news finally arrived?

His fists clenched tight, and he asked through gritted teeth, "Then—who exactly are they!?"

(End of Chapter)