Chapter 44: Before the Old Door

Ye Mingze's lips quivered slightly. "It's not..."

Ye Chutang was surprised. "You moved?"

Then, as if remembering something, she gave an understanding smile. "Oh, right. Now that Second Uncle has been promoted, it's only natural that his residence would change. I just wonder where you are living now?"

Cold sweat beaded on Ye Mingze's forehead. The words were stuck in his throat, impossible to utter.

After a long while, he managed to say with difficulty, "In... in Liuwan Alley..."

Hearing this, Ye Jingyan looked up, surprised and delighted. "Does that mean we're on the same street? That's wonderful! It will be much more convenient for us to meet in the future."

Ye Mingze swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond.

He shot frantic glances at the servant beside him. "You—you go back first! Report to Father and Mother. Just say... just say that Cousin and the others have returned to the capital!"

The personal servant had never seen Ye Chutang and her group before. Although he found his master's reaction strange, he didn't dare ask questions and immediately responded, "Yes!"

However, just as he turned to leave, he heard a clear, gentle female voice from behind.

"Mingze, what is the rush?"

A faint smile played on the corners of Ye Chutang's lips as she said softly, "We have traveled a long way and are covered in dust. Is it proper to send a servant back to inform the elders before we have even tidied ourselves and washed up? Those who don't know better might think our Ye family lacks upbringing and manners."

Ye Mingze suddenly felt as if he had been slapped hard across the face.

Wasn't she essentially saying he was talking nonsense and lacked etiquette!?

The servant looked back, his expression hesitant.

It seemed this woman truly was a member of the Ye family. In terms of seniority, his master would have to respectfully call her "Cousin." So, whose orders should he follow?

Ye Mingze forced a smile. "I just wanted the family to know you were back as soon as possible so we could all celebrate together. I—"

Ye Chutang interrupted him with effortless grace. "Three years have passed; it won't matter if we wait a little longer."

Though her tone was calm and gentle, and her eyes were warm and even carried a hint of a smile, her words carried an inexplicable, irresistible authority.

Ye Mingze's hands, hanging at his sides, clenched and unclenched repeatedly, his mind in a state of chaos.

He pursed his lips and looked at Ye Chutang, feeling an overwhelming sense of strangeness.

Three years was neither long nor short.

In his memory, his cousin was a frail, sickly, and quiet girl. Now, the youthful timidity and softness had vanished from her features, replaced by a composed and restrained elegance, like the stillness of a deep pool.

Her features were clearly familiar, yet her aura and grace were entirely different from before.

If the former Ye Chutang was a dusty pearl—beautiful, yet inconspicuous due to her soft and quiet nature—then the current Ye Chutang was like a gem that had been washed clean of its grime, gradually blooming with a brilliant radiance that was impossible to ignore.

Ye Mingze could only suppress the irritation in his heart and told the servant to return and wait for Ye Chutang and the others to finish their meal.

This scene was exceptionally rare, drawing the attention of many nearby.

Whispers broke out from time to time.

"Is that woman actually Ye Mingze's cousin? When did his family gain such relatives?"

"Perhaps relatives from the hometown coming to seek connections? After all, Lord Ye is quite successful now!"

"She doesn't look like it... Could an ordinary family raise such a girl? And even setting her aside, those two young masters both possess great poise, and even that little child is sensible and well-behaved, acting so composed and unshrinking in a place like this. This doesn't look like an ordinary background..."

"Wait! I remember now! Lord Ye used to have an elder brother who was also an official in the capital, and at the time, his rank seemed even higher! I think... I think his name was... Ye Zheng?"

"Yes, yes! That's right! I remember him too! Back then, Lord Ye Zheng was young and promising, with a limitless future! They all said he was likely to be promoted to the youngest Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Unfortunately, he later offended the Emperor and was demoted out of the capital. Not long after, news came that there was an accident on the road, and the whole family perished! Who would have thought—some of his bloodline would still be alive?"

Most people entering and exiting the Yueyue Restaurant were either wealthy or influential. Even if they weren't intimately familiar with the name Ye Zheng, they knew what being on the verge of becoming the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice meant.

Moreover, this man was the biological brother of the currently rising star, Ye Heng.

In an instant, the way people looked at Ye Chutang and her group underwent a subtle shift.

Someone whispered, "What a pity. With their father and brother gone, what can a frail woman do with several young siblings?"

...

Ye Chutang ignored the surrounding stares and discussions, finishing her meal at a leisurely pace.

Beside her, Ye Mingze had been waiting anxiously but didn't dare to rush them. Once Ye Chutang and the others finally finished, he asked impatiently, "Can we go back now? I'll have someone fetch a carriage immediately!"

Ye Chutang used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Xiao Wu's mouth, pulled her into her arms, and then turned back to decline with a smile.

"Thank you, but there is no need. We have a carriage outside. Besides, since you live in Liuwan Alley, why don't you come back with us? It would save us the trouble, wouldn't it?"

Ye Mingze felt great resistance in his heart. Just as he was thinking of how to refuse, he saw Ye Jingyan call the waiter over to settle the bill.

He immediately said, "Let me treat you to this meal!"

Ye Jingyan looked at Ye Chutang hesitantly. She shook her head, about to refuse, but Ye Mingze added, "Hey—Cousin, you've finally returned. How could we let you pay for a meal? I come to Yueyue Restaurant often; just put it on my tab!"

At the mention of money, Ye Mingze's confidence seemed to return slightly.

He hadn't noticed before, but now he realized that the clothing and adornments of Ye Chutang and her group were quite simple.

It made sense. Without the protection of their parents, they must have lived quite a meager and difficult life these past few years!

This gave Ye Mingze a strong sense of superiority, and the fear and irritation he had felt earlier upon seeing them dissipated significantly.

Indeed!

They were just a few destitute, helpless people; what was there to be afraid of!?

Ye Mingze added, "You might not know, but prices at Yueyue Restaurant have gone up. A single meal costs quite a lot."

The implication was that Ye Chutang and the others couldn't afford it.

Ye Chutang's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Seeming not to catch his sarcasm, she replied with a smile, "Then thank you."

Ye Jingyan immediately put away his unused purse and also thanked Ye Mingze. "You are too kind, Cousin. Thank you truly."

"Burp~"

Tucked in Ye Chutang's arms, Xiao Wu suddenly let out a burp, a look of sorrow flashing across her chubby little face.

*—You should have said so earlier! I would have ordered more dishes!*

...

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage turned into Liuwan Alley and stopped in front of a residence.

Two stone lions stood before the gate, grand and imposing. The golden characters on the plaque read: *The Ye Estate*.

Looking at the familiar gate, Ye Yunfeng's long-suppressed emotions surged. He turned around and shouted excitedly, "Sister! We're home!"

As he spoke, he jumped straight out of the carriage, intending to run over.

However, at that moment, the tightly closed gate was suddenly opened from the inside.

A man who looked like a butler poked his head out.

Ye Yunfeng froze in his tracks, utterly bewildered—why were there strangers at their house?

In the next moment, he heard the man calling out urgently to Ye Mingze behind him, "Oh my goodness! Second Young Master! Why have you only just returned? The Master has been waiting for you for half an hour!"

(End of Chapter)