Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Returning to the Capital
Ye Yunfeng was taken aback. "Big Sis... you’re not mad?"
Ye Chutang didn’t speak, only lowering her head to sip her tea.
Seeing her attitude, Ye Yunfeng’s anxious heart finally settled down.
He leaned in closer and said, "Speaking of the County Magistrate Mansion, it’s actually quite interesting! On the surface, it looks like nothing special, but all the servants there have light footsteps and steady breathing. From what I saw, they clearly have martial arts training!"
Ye Jingyan said thoughtfully, "It is the County Magistrate Mansion, after all. It doesn’t seem too strange for them to hire a few people with martial arts skills."
"If it were really that simple, I wouldn’t have come back so early!"
Ye Yunfeng narrowed his eyes.
"Putting the others aside, the personal attendant guarding the county magistrate’s door is no simple character. He looks unremarkable, but he’s extremely vigilant. It’s because of him that I gave up on investigating further and came straight back."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "Did he notice you?"
Ye Yunfeng shook his head. "Not exactly, but if I had gotten any closer, I can’t say for sure."
"Oh?"
Now Ye Chutang’s interest was piqued.
A Feng was extremely gifted in martial arts, and with her personal instruction over the past few years, it was impossible for an ordinary person to detect his movements.
’For him to be so cautious, the other man must have some real skill.’
’A mere county magistrate... why would he go to the trouble of hiring such a figure to be by his side?’
Ye Jingyan suddenly said, "If I’m not mistaken, that man should be Gao Yi."
Ye Yunfeng turned his head in surprise. "Third Brother, you know him?"
Ye Jingyan shook his head. "I’ve just heard Pan Ying mention him before."
Although Pan Ying couldn’t compare to Ye Xiting, he was actually considered quite skilled among the men under them.
He had thought he would be highly valued, but then this person appeared out of nowhere and completely stole his thunder.
It’s said that this Gao Yi once saved the county magistrate’s life.
Pan Ying thoroughly disliked the man and later requested a transfer to guard the city gates.
Ye Yunfeng stroked his chin. "With his skills, it’s a real waste of talent for him to be at a minor county magistrate’s mansion. Besides, the mansion seems so plain from top to bottom, without a hint of wealth. I really don’t know what that Gao Yi is after."
A slight smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "Plain?"
’That "Spring Tidings in Snow" tea is anything but cheap.’
Seeing her expression, Ye Yunfeng quickly understood. "Big Sis, you mean... there’s something wrong with the County Magistrate Mansion?"
Ye Chutang laughed. "Do you really think they don’t know about the grain being sold on the black market?"
Ye Yunfeng froze, and then it dawned on him—
"Of course! Wasn’t Pan Ying the one who helped arrange it?"
In a small place like Qingzhou, what could possibly be hidden from the authorities in power?
Ye Jingyan said, "No wonder Big Sis left in secret this time and had me take Xiao Wu out to play in the courtyard every day."
’I’m afraid that even here, countless eyes are secretly watching us!’
A chill shot up Ye Jingyan’s spine at the thought.
’I thought we could finally have some peace and rest after coming home this time. Who would have thought this place was no longer a sanctuary!’
Ye Chutang gently pinched Xiao Wu’s cheek. Seeing that her little face, which had thinned from her recent illness, had filled out again, she smiled faintly.
"Let them do their thing, and we’ll do ours. As long as we don’t interfere with each other, there’s no need to worry."
Since she dared to return, she had already made all the necessary preparations.
But Ye Jingyan’s heart couldn’t find peace. He furrowed his brow, lost in thought.
Ye Yunfeng couldn’t help but ask, "Then, Big Sis, what’s your plan now—"
"We’re returning to the capital."
"To the capital?" Ye Yunfeng was very surprised. "Big Sis, you’re not going to investigate further here?"
Anyone could see that there was definitely something wrong here, especially since it involved Ye Heng. They had to be extremely cautious.
"Who says we can’t investigate just because we’ve left?" Ye Chutang retorted.
They had only come back this time to bury their parents and older brother. Now that the time was up, delaying their return to the capital would only arouse suspicion.
Ye Jingyan said pensively, "It’s just a shame that Ye Heng has already been exiled to Tongbei. I’m afraid investigating will be much harder now."
’It’s obvious the so-called "grain merchant" never showed up because something happened on Ye Heng’s end.’
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "All the more reason to return to the capital first, to avoid alerting the enemy."
Ye Jingyan’s eyes lit up as understanding dawned on him in an instant.
Ye Yunfeng understood as well, smacking his fist into his palm. "Big Sis is right! We’ll go back first. As long as we’re patient, they’re bound to show their faces eventually!"
Ye Chutang gave him a smiling glance.
"It seems you’ve matured quite a bit during your time back in the capital."
’To think he’s become so patient.’
It was rare for him to be praised by his sister, and a smug look spread across his face. "Of course!"
Ye Chutang nodded and glanced outside. "In that case, we’ll set off tomorrow."
The two brothers agreed in unison. Xiao Wu tilted her face up, blinked, and held out a piece of peanut crisp.
’Big Sis rushed back overnight; she must still be hungry!’
Ye Chutang took a bite from the piece in her little hand. As the sweet flavor melted in her mouth, she said, "Xiao Wu, you’ve given Big Sis tomorrow’s share. Thank you."
Xiao Wu: ?
As she spoke, Ye Chutang ate the remaining piece.
Xiao Wu: ???
Ye Chutang completely ignored her pleading gaze, picking up the Little Milk Group and intending to go catch up on some sleep.
Ye Jingyan couldn’t suppress his worry and finally called out, "Big Sis?"
Ye Chutang turned back.
Ye Jingyan looked at her. "Did you find anything on your trip this time, Big Sis?"
Hearing this, Ye Yunfeng’s heart also tightened, and he looked toward Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang thought for a moment, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I did."
’And it wasn’t insignificant.’
Ye Yunfeng’s heart settled at her words, and he said with a smile, "That’s good. I knew it. How could you fail when you handle it personally, Big Sis?"
Ye Chutang started to leave, then remembered something and turned back to instruct, "Oh, right. Later, have someone set aside a portion of all the wine we’ve brewed."
Ye Yunfeng asked curiously, "For you to drink, Big Sis?"
Ye Chutang shook her head. "It’s a gift."
Ye Jingyan instantly looked at her. "Who are you giving it to, Big Sis?"
The memory of a certain person’s deep, languid voice echoed in Ye Chutang’s mind, and the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
"A creditor."
...
The next day, Ye Chutang and her party set off for the capital.
Pan Ying heard the news and came specially to see them off.
He stood by the carriage, his expression wistful. "Once you leave, who knows when we’ll see each other again."
Ye Jingyan politely clasped his fist. "Thank you for looking after us all this time, Pan. With our father, mother, and older brother here, we will come back often in the future."
Pan Ying opened his mouth, looking at the face before him, so similar to the high-spirited young man from his memories. Suppressing the bitterness in his heart, he reached out and patted Ye Jingyan’s shoulder.
"Don’t worry! I’ll watch over them properly for you!"
A warmth spread through Ye Jingyan’s heart. "I can’t thank you enough."
A westerly wind blew, rustling the carriage curtain and revealing a fleeting glimpse of the ancient city gate.
Ye Chutang took one last look before retreating into the carriage and closing her eyes.
"Let’s go."
