Chapter 620: Coincidence
Xue Ran shook his head. "Ever since he was transferred from the Ministry of Justice, he’s kept a very low profile. Aside from court assemblies, he never leaves his residence and rarely associates with anyone."
The Yunlai Tavern saw plenty of high officials and dignitaries coming and going each day, so it wasn’t difficult to learn such things.
Ye Chutang nodded lightly. "Is that so? He certainly is patient."
Xue Ran paused, unable to suppress his curiosity. "Second Miss, why are you so interested in him? He may have been Jiang Zhao Yuan’s star pupil, but ever since Jiang Zhao Yuan left the Cabinet, he has drawn a clear line with the Jiang family. Now that the Jiang family’s assets have been seized, it just proves his previous actions were a wise move. The man is cold-hearted and disloyal, but... he’s survived in the court for many years. Without that kind of decisiveness, he probably never would have reached the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice."
Ye Chutang gave him a smile, asking with a hint of amusement, "Is that how you see him?"
Xue Ran froze, looking a little embarrassed. "Well... I imagine that’s what everyone in the capital thinks, isn’t it?"
Ye Chutang wasn’t surprised.
To an outsider, Fan Chengzhuo’s past actions certainly looked like self-preservation. That was understandable; after all, there are far more shrewd and selfish people in the world than there are kind and loyal ones.
But Ye Chutang had crossed paths with Fan Chengzhuo a few times, and she knew full well he hadn’t deliberately distanced himself from the Jiang family and stood by idly just to protect his own future.
’He and Xiao Lansi have a strange relationship. It’s likely... they’re both being manipulated by the same person.’
It was just that she had not yet been able to confirm that person’s identity.
"Setting the Jiang family aside, Xiao Chengxuan also used to hold him in high regard. He helped him both openly and secretly several times, but Fan Chengzhuo never showed any gratitude."
At this thought, a hint of disdain appeared in Xue Ran’s eyes.
"I heard that when Xiao Chengxuan was exiled from the city yesterday, he didn’t even go to see him off."
Ye Chutang chuckled.
"He couldn’t be happier that Xiao Chengxuan has fallen this low. Why would he go see him off when he’s busy celebrating?"
Xue Ran was stunned. "Really!? But—didn’t everyone say he was Xiao Chengxuan’s man!? Could it be... that was all an act?"
Ye Chutang remained noncommittal.
But Xue Ran understood that was as good as a "yes."
As he recovered from his shock, he still found it hard to believe. "So that’s how it was..."
That explained all of Fan Chengzhuo’s recent actions.
But there was no point in discussing it now. Xiao Chengxuan had been exiled to Yizhou, doomed to spend the rest of his life trapped there. What more could happen?
Xiao Wu’s abacus beads clacked noisily.
In truth, she didn’t need it; her mental math was faster. But she loved the sound, so she always used it to indulge herself.
When she finished the accounts, she was completely satisfied.
Seeing the smile spreading across the little girl’s face, Ye Chutang couldn’t help but smile as well.
"Happy now? Then let’s get going. Lord Tang has been craving this wine so much, I doubt he’s been sleeping well."
Xiao Wu nodded eagerly.
...
The carriage made its way through the bustling streets.
Ye Chutang sat inside the carriage. On the small table rested the wine she was bringing to Tang Zhongli. Across from her, Xiao Wu was popping a pastry into her mouth, freshly bought from the Lin Family’s shop.
’Fourth Brother always used to buy these for me. He was afraid they’d get cold and not taste as good, so he’d wrap them in layers and tuck them inside his robes to keep them warm. They’d still be steaming when he got home—so sweet, soft, and delicious.’
’This one is fresh too, but for some reason, it feels like something is missing.’
’Sigh.’
With her cheeks puffed out, Xiao Wu felt a rare pang of melancholy.
’I really... I really miss Fourth Brother.’
"What are you thinking about?"
Seeing her lost in thought, Ye Chutang asked.
Xiao Wu swallowed the pastry and pouted.
’Big Sis, when will Fourth Brother be back? Do we really have to wait until he becomes a Great General to see him again?’
Ye Chutang’s heart softened. She smiled and gently rubbed the little girl’s cheek.
"Don’t you have faith in your Fourth Brother’s abilities?"
Xiao Wu immediately straightened her back and lifted her chin proudly.
’Of course I do! Fourth Brother is amazing! He’ll definitely return in a blaze of glory!’
Her Fourth Brother had told her that a true man’s ambition lies in exploring the world, and he was going out to forge a new path for himself!
She knew that since he’d said it, he would absolutely do it!
With that thought, the last wisp of melancholy in Xiao Wu’s heart vanished.
Ye Chutang’s expression shifted as her thoughts turned to Long City, and she grew pensive.
’I wonder if A Feng received my letter safely... And I wonder if they’ve already dispatched reinforcements to Long City.’
’Everything is so uncertain...’
"Hey! Young master! Slow down!"
An anxious cry came from outside.
Ye Chutang’s train of thought was broken.
The next moment, she felt the carriage lurch to a sudden halt as the horse whinnied sharply.
The momentum sent Xiao Wu flying forward, but Ye Chutang caught her with lightning-fast reflexes.
She breathed a sigh of relief and lifted the curtain to look outside. "What happened?"
The driver quickly explained, "Second Miss, a child suddenly darted out from the crowd. Thankfully, we didn’t hit him."
Ye Chutang looked closely and saw a boy of about five or six standing frozen in front of the carriage, held in a tight embrace by an old nanny.
Both the old woman and the young boy were clearly terrified.
The nanny must have dived to grab him; her clothes were covered in dust, her hair was disheveled, and her face was pale with lingering fear.
"Young master, you scared me half to death! These streets are so chaotic. What would we have done if something had happened while you were running around like that!?"
With that, she picked up the little boy, hurried back a few steps, and knelt beside the carriage, facing Ye Chutang.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you so much!"
The boy seemed to finally snap out of it and, overcome with fear, burst into tears.
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow slightly.
She actually recognized the little boy.
The Xie Family’s most beloved young master, Xie Yulin.
But the noble, pampered young master from her memory was now a crying mess. Even after being comforted by his nanny for a long time, he was still sobbing uncontrollably.
"There’s no need for thanks. Our carriage is the one that nearly hit you and frightened the child."
Xiao Wu peeked out from behind her, looking on with curiosity.
When Xie Yulin saw her, he suddenly stopped crying and stared.
The two children’s eyes met.
Xiao Wu suddenly covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
’Big Sis, he looks so funny when he cries!’
Xie Yulin suddenly felt too embarrassed to keep crying.
Ye Chutang took a small ceramic figurine from a little drawer behind her and offered it to him.
"How about this for you?"
Because Xiao Wu disliked riding in carriages, Ye Chutang had stocked this one with all sorts of toys and trinkets to keep her happy.
Sure enough, the moment Xie Yulin saw the little bobble-head figurine, his attention was completely captivated.
Ye Chutang’s eyes shifted slightly.
The nanny saw he wanted it and immediately stepped forward gratefully, accepting it with both hands.
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"
Ye Chutang smiled and lowered the curtain.
"Let’s go."