Chapter 209: Reunion
If something really happened to Ye Chutang, they would all face dire consequences!
Blood streamed down Mrs. Gao’s face. Furious and resentful, she gritted her teeth and snarled, "Ye Chutang! Are you satisfied now?! Are you happy to see our family shattered and ruined?!"
Ye Chutang gently smoothed a crease on her skirt before looking unhurriedly at Mrs. Gao.
"Whatever do you mean? It was not my wish for my uncle to be imprisoned. However, if the evidence is conclusive, then no matter how reluctant I am, I cannot defy the will of the Holy Emperor. I hope you can understand, Aunt."
Her voice was as soft and serene as a flowing stream, yet it carried a bone-deep chill.
"It is just as when my father, Ye Zheng, angered the Holy Emperor and was exiled to Wuzhou. My uncle was powerless to help then, as well. Given the circumstances, I’m sure you can empathize, Aunt."
Mrs. Gao’s wailing abruptly ceased.
She met Ye Chutang’s dark, gentle eyes, but now found them utterly inscrutable, their depths impossible to fathom.
Scenes from three years ago flashed through her mind, and Mrs. Gao shuddered involuntarily.
Back then, when Ye Zheng got into trouble, Ye Heng had not said a single word in his defense, wanting to avoid being implicated.
’—And what happened after that?’
’Ye Zheng’s family was slaughtered, their blood pooling on the floor.’
At this thought, a chilling dread washed over Mrs. Gao, as if she’d been plunged into an icy abyss.
Ye Chutang’s meaning couldn’t have been clearer—everything happening today was merely the consequence of seeds sown in the past!
Shen Yanchuan’s gaze turned cold. "It seems Madam Ye is not doing too well. We’ll need to assign more people to ’take care’ of her."
Yun Cheng understood immediately. "Yes, sir."
Overcome with shock and terror, Mrs. Gao subconsciously touched her head. Her hand came away warm and sticky. Whether from her injury or from sheer fright, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she fainted dead away.
Ye Shixian’s heart clenched. "Mother!"
At some point, Lian Zhou had appeared before her, standing with his sword held in his arms.
He said nothing, yet his presence said it all.
Watching Mrs. Gao being swiftly carried away, Ye Shixian’s heart turned to ice.
’The great Ye Family... How could I be the only one left after a single night?’
"It’s getting late. Time to go home."
Ye Chutang ruffled Xiao Wu’s hair, a faint smile on her lips. It was as if everything that had just transpired had nothing to do with her, failing to cause even the slightest ripple in her heart.
Xiao Wu’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded happily.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions. Naturally, we should head home early for a proper reunion dinner."
...
「The Imperial Palace.」
Murong Ye was on pins and needles.
He had spoken rashly today, displeasing his father. And although the Holy Emperor hadn’t overtly reprimanded him, the memory of it still made him break out in a cold sweat.
’Even if I wanted to help Shixian, I shouldn’t have been so impulsive!’
Before long, Murong Ye found an excuse to leave early. Murong Yang, not wanting him to stay and embarrass himself further, permitted it.
Once outside the palace gates, the cool night breeze helped clear his head.
He glanced back at the imposing, solemn Imperial Palace and let out a long sigh.
The servant at his side lowered his voice and asked cautiously, "Young Master, what should we do now...?"
Murong Ye waved a dismissive hand.
"We’re not going back to the estate just yet."
’Going back now would just mean stewing in my own anger. It’s better to get some air and clear my head.’
The servant had anticipated this and quickly replied, "Yes, sir."
Murong Ye pondered for a moment. "Let’s go check on the Han Family."
’Shen Yanchuan took his men there. I wonder if they found any evidence related to Ye Heng...’
At the thought, he quickened his pace.
...