Chapter 920 - 921: Coming to Settle Accounts with Linhao_1
The Ye Family held a running banquet the next day, with tables set up early at the entrance, forming a long dragon, each filled with a variety of dishes.
On the courtyard wall, Yang Chuxia also had bright red paper pasted with the words, "Congratulations to Ms. Ye’s son, Zi’an, for attaining the position of second top scholar in the imperial examination in such-and-such a year and month."
Above the courtyard wall hung a long string of red lanterns, which looked very festive.
However, those who came to Yang Chuxia’s house for the banquet were not limited to the people from Yangshu Village; many outsiders, even from other villages, were present, and many were faces Yang Chuxia did not recognize.
Fearing that something unforeseen might occur, she summoned Fugui, who had just returned from his hometown, "There are many people today, and quite a few are not from our village. Since they’ve come, it wouldn’t be right to send them away. Later, you take a few people and keep watch outside, to prevent any disturbances. It wouldn’t look good for the young master."
"Alright, I will have people come to take care of it shortly."
Those who came in the morning were fine, rather orderly, and left after having their fill. However, in the afternoon, some guests became unruly, taking food away with them.
When a few servers mentioned it, they were met with sarcasm, "If you can’t afford to host a running banquet, then don’t put on airs. What’s wrong with taking some food home?"
When the news reached Yang Chuxia’s ears, she simply waved her hand, dismissing the person who reported it.
Such incidents were unavoidable, so she simply let it be.
"Sister, brother-in-law, mother sent me to call for you. Li Ao and his family have arrived." In the afternoon, as the children were sleeping again, Ye Zi’an was passing time by teaching Yang Chuxia calligraphy. When they heard the news, they stopped their practice.
"Li Ao’s family? How many people came?" Yang Chuxia had Mingcui help clean up the ink and paper from the table and then went to wash her hands.
"Both of Li Ao’s parents are here, along with two male servants and two maids." Mentioning Li Ao’s family, Yang Qingtong felt some disdain; it was just a matter between the young men, was it necessary to involve the parents.
"It seems they are here to settle accounts with Linhao; let’s go and see."
When they left the courtyard, they noticed many people were still eating at the tables. However, Yang Chuxia observed that the guests at two tables seemed to have been there since noon and had not left at all.
What was even stranger was that these two tables were not the ones with the most or the least food remaining. Yang Chuxia didn’t understand why, but she felt something was off about those people.
She asked Ye Zi’an, who was beside her, "Ye Yi and Ye Er haven’t gone out today, have they?"
"No, they’re in the front."
"Mingcui, don’t follow me anymore. Go to the Shuimo Pavilion and tell Ye Yi and Ye Er to help watch Yangyang and Lele in the Shuiyun Pavilion."
The three small buildings in the family compound all had names given by Ye Zi’an. The one in front was called Shuimo Pavilion, the one she and Brother An now inhabited was called Shuiyun Pavilion, and the one in the back was named Shuijinglianya, which she planned to reserve for her future daughter, hence the more unique name.
"What’s wrong?"
"I find those two tables of guests rather peculiar; I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zi’an paused, "Ye Yi and Ye Er are skilled in martial arts; with them watching, there will surely be no problems."
When they arrived at the Yang family’s side, as soon as they entered the room, they noticed the atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Yang Dachuan and Ms. Wang looked unhappy, while Luo Linhao stood aside with disdain.
"Father, mother! What has happened?"
Seeing Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an come in, Li Ao whispered a few words to his parents.
Li Ao’s father seemed a bit embarrassed when he saw Ye Zi’an but still greeted her. In contrast, Li Ao’s mother snorted coldly.