Chapter 184: The Past
Lian Zhou bowed his head. "Yes. I hear Princess Qingyang extended a special invitation, but Second Miss Ye declined, citing poor health."
As he spoke, Lian Zhou glanced up at his master. Seeing his master’s coolly serene expression, he added, "It’s probably for the best. Second Miss Ye is a delicate woman, after all. She was seriously injured from that fall off the cliff, so she needs to rest and recuperate properly."
Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow.
’A delicate woman?’
’She was the furthest thing from it.’
’If she were truly so gravely injured, she wouldn’t have been able to throw out all those shopkeepers and reclaim complete control of her businesses in a single day.’
’She simply didn’t want to come, that’s all.’
Shen Yanchuan nodded. "It must be quite serious. Send some more restorative gifts over later."
"Yes."
Lian Zhou answered at once.
In truth, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion had been sending a steady stream of gifts to the Ye Mansion ever since their return from the mountain. But now that his master had given the order personally, he would naturally have to select some more, and with extra care.
Shen Yanchuan’s gaze drifted upward, toward the path ahead.
The grand and solemn Imperial Palace stood silently in the distance. The evening afterglow spilled over it, making the glazed roof tiles shimmer with a faint light. Its towering red walls inspired a sense of awe.
Shen Yanchuan brushed off his robes, his tone nonchalant.
"Let’s go. It’s going to be a lively night."
...
As dusk fell, the lanterns began to glow.
Ye Chutang and her siblings went straight to the second floor, where they had booked a private room overlooking the street.
With the windows propped open, they could see the street below teeming with people, the flickering lights of lanterns dancing everywhere.
The faint, refreshing scent of osmanthus blossoms drifted through the air.
Ye Yunfeng brought a jug of wine to the table. With a slap of his palm to unseal it, the crisp aroma of wine filled the air.
As Ye Chutang inhaled the familiar aroma, fragments of the past came flooding back.
After a moment, a small smile touched her lips as she said,
"Truly our brother’s favorite wine."
Hearing her bring him up, Ye Yunfeng instinctively replied, "You can say that again! With our brother’s tolerance, this whole jug wouldn’t have been enough for him!"
The words had barely left his mouth when Ye Yunfeng realized what he’d said, and his smile froze.
"...It’s a shame we’ll never have that chance again."
Ye Zheng wasn’t much of a drinker, but Ye Xiting had a natural talent for it. He even used to sneak out with Yan and A Feng to drink.
A Feng could hold his liquor, but Yan would be out cold after a single cup. He had to be dragged back home, where he’d sleep for an entire day.
Ye Chutang teased, "Yan, you should take it easy. Otherwise, there won’t be anyone to carry you home later."
Ye Yunfeng pushed down his sorrow and laughed. "Exactly! Third Brother, just a few sips will do for you!"
Ye Jingyan laughed as well, but insisted that Ye Yunfeng fill his cup to the brim.
"My tolerance might not match yours, but it’s much better than it used to be. Go on, pour."
Three years ago, when they were fleeing south from the famine, heavy snows had blocked the roads. The land was frozen, and the cold was unbearable.
Their sister had somehow gotten her hands on a jar of wine, and they had all shared it.
Cold wine to warm the body.
Even now, Ye Jingyan clearly remembered the feeling of the wine sliding down his throat, a burning heat spreading through his entire body.
Ye Yunfeng’s interest was piqued, and he immediately complied. "You got it!"
Seeing that her older brothers all had wine, Xiao Wu immediately raised a small hand, her eyes fixed eagerly on the wine jug.
’I don’t have any yet!’
Ye Yunfeng gently tapped her on the forehead.
"None for you!"
Undeterred, Xiao Wu turned to Ye Chutang with a pitiful look, tugging gently at her sleeve with both hands.
Ye Chutang said, "Children can’t have alcohol. Why don’t you go sit at the next table?"
Xiao Wu: "..."
She resignedly pulled her little hands back.
The next moment, Ye Chutang handed her a small bowl of sweet tremella and lotus seed soup.
Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.
Just then, a distant BOOM echoed from outside the window.
FWOOSH—BANG!
A brilliant firework blossomed in the dark night sky, a dazzling cascade of colors.
Ye Chutang lifted her teacup to her lips. Watching the distant display outside the window, her eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Today is a good day. We should drink to our hearts’ content."