Chapter 621: News That Concerns You
As the carriage drove away, the old nanny also stood up, holding Xie Yulin.
Two young maids quickly pushed through the crowd and ran over, anxiously and reproachfully snatching Xie Yulin from the nanny’s arms.
"Nanny Zhang, why were you walking so fast with the young master? There are so many people on this street. What would have happened if he’d gotten hurt in the crowd?"
"Exactly! If the young master hadn’t insisted on you accompanying him, you wouldn’t have even been allowed out. How could you be so careless? If something had happened, could you have taken responsibility?"
Nanny Zhang lowered her head. "It was all my fault."
Xie Yulin suddenly began to struggle in the maid’s arms, shouting, "Why are you scolding Nanny Zhang! I’m the one who ran off just now! If you’re so tough, go tell Father on me!"
The maid naturally didn’t dare to get angry with him. She quickly put on a smile and patiently coaxed him, "Young master, how could you say such things? We were just worried about you! You finally get a chance to come out, and the Marquis ordered us to take good care of you..."
Xie Yulin turned his head away and huffed.
"Nanny Zhang! I want Nanny Zhang to hold me!"
The two maids exchanged a look of dismay.
Although the Marquis forbade the mistress from going out, he still doted on the young master. They were merely lowly servants. How could they compare?
In the end, the maid handed him back, but her gaze toward Nanny Zhang was filled with growing dissatisfaction.
"Nanny Zhang, it’s getting late. Shall we go?"
Nanny Zhang replied meekly, tucking a few loose strands of hair at her temples before following the two maids with Xie Yulin in her arms.
......
Ye Chutang stretched out her hand. In her palm lay a white jade earring.
Xiao Wu’s eyes widened slightly.
’Huh, when did Big Sis get her hands on that?’
Ye Chutang looked at the earring. Its texture was smooth and warm, the carving exquisite. A single glance was enough to tell it was valuable.
More importantly, it looked very familiar to her.
—The day Xie Pei was gravely ill and she went to the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, Xiao Jiayi had been wearing this very pair.
’But why did that nanny go to such lengths to press this into my hand?’
’Is Xiao Jiayi... in trouble?’
After a moment of thought, she put the white jade earring away.
Xiao Wu didn’t pay it much mind.
"Miss Ye, we’ve arrived."
The carriage stopped in front of the Tang Residence. The servant guarding the gate was stunned when he saw an incomparably beautiful woman alight from the carriage.
"And you are, miss...?"
Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Please announce me. Say that Ye Chutang has come to visit Lord Tang."
......
Tang Zhongli genuinely hadn’t expected Ye Chutang to come and welcomed her inside with a hearty laugh.
When he saw the two jugs of wine she was carrying, the smile on his face grew even wider.
"What a rare guest! To what do I owe the pleasure of Miss Ye’s visit today?"
Ye Chutang smiled and handed over the wine. "I heard you enjoy this, so I brought some for you."
Tang Zhongli laughed loudly and didn’t stand on ceremony.
"If anyone else had brought this, I certainly wouldn’t accept it. But since it’s from you, I must!"
He took it and couldn’t resist leaning in for a sniff.
Even though it wasn’t open, the clear, rich aroma of the wine was already intoxicating.
Tang Zhongli’s eyes lit up.
He accepted it, firstly because Ye Chutang acted with such open integrity, and secondly... he really was craving it.
Even if he could buy some next month, that was still a long time to wait!
"That Yunlai Tavern of yours is truly remarkable! The wine is in a class of its own!"
Everything was so original; it was hard to even find a similar taste elsewhere. It was no wonder business was so good.
Ye Chutang smiled, her lips pursed. "If you like it, I can have someone send more over another day."
"Ah, my tolerance for alcohol isn’t what it used to be. A small taste is enough for me! HAHA!"
Ye Chutang then changed the subject, asking about Ye Jingyan’s situation at the Imperial College.
Tang Zhongli was extremely fond of this student, and when he was brought up, the praise was endless.
"...With his talent, if he participates in the imperial examinations in the future, he is sure to be top scholar material!"
Tang Zhongli stroked his beard and shook his head.
"It’s just a pity. The Spring Examination is this third month, but since he has never participated in the provincial examination, he’s going to miss this opportunity."
A smile played on Ye Chutang’s lips, but her eyes were calm and composed. She showed no pride or arrogance at Tang Zhongli’s praise.
"You praise him too highly."
Tang Zhongli glanced at her and then burst out laughing.
"Oh, you! No one knows better than you, his older sister, whether your own brother has genuine talent and real ability!"
He had long since seen that Ye Jingyan’s growth to his current state was largely thanks to Ye Chutang’s guidance.
Outsiders might not know, but he saw it very clearly.
"If he could participate in this Metropolitan Examination, he would surely take first place! It’s not impossible that he could even become the youngest top scholar! Speaking of which... did you never think of having him take the exams before?"
Tang Zhongli felt it was a real pity.
He had seen countless students at the Imperial College. He could tell who was a genius and who was merely talented with a single glance.
Ye Jingyan was truly a cut above the rest. Otherwise, he wouldn’t cherish his talent so much and hold him in such high regard.
Unfortunately—Ye Jinyan did not hold the rank of a scholar, so by regulation, he could not participate in this year’s Spring Examination.
Ye Chutang knew what he was thinking. After a moment of silence, she spoke earnestly, "In the past... the situation was complicated. We had no choice. It delayed him."
Tang Zhongli was taken aback and couldn’t help but sigh.
In truth, how could he not understand?
The Ye Family had suffered a great calamity. Ye Chutang had led the others through difficult circumstances and displacement. How could it possibly be summed up by a simple "we had no choice"?
"It can’t be called a delay. He’s only fifteen now. He’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to display his talent and ambitions in the future." Tang Zhongli chuckled. "When that time comes, I’ll have to pay a special visit to your residence to ask for wine!"
His words were filled with hope for Ye Jingyan.
Ye Chutang smiled as well.
"If that day truly comes, you will naturally be the Ye Family’s guest of honor."
Tang Zhongli laughed heartily.
"I’ve been worked to death recently. Only today can I relax a little thanks to your wine! By the way, since you’re here, I have a piece of news that has something to do with you. You might want to hear it."
Ye Chutang was surprised and a little curious. "What news?"
Tang Zhongli said,
"The county magistrate of Qingzhou, Zuo Ci, has been impeached for corruption and dereliction of duty. His Majesty has already ordered him to be stripped of his post and executed in the coming days."