TMBIABHL: Chapter 28
Glossary
·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): Female Protagonist. Heir to an ancient medical family. "Black-Hearted Lotus." Runs a clinic in Jiangling.
·Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): Third Brother (阿言). Calm, studious.
·Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): Fourth Brother (阿风). Impulsive, protective.
·Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Youngest sister. ~4 years old. Non-verbal but expressive.
·Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): Male Lead. The Marquis of Dingbei.
·Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant/guard.
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Chapter 28: Do You Want to Return to the Capital?
He picked up the book and casually flipped it open to a page.
After just one glance, the languidness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a rare intensity.
Just as he was about to turn the page to read more, Ye Yunfeng came striding over.
"Xiao Wu, are you okay?"
Shen Yanchuan let go. Xiao Wu turned and shook her head at Ye Yunfeng.
Ye Yunfeng pulled her close, checking her over. Once he was sure she was fine, he sighed in relief.
He straightened up and bowed to Shen Yanchuan. "My sincere apologies. Xiao Wu was in a hurry to deliver a book to Third Brother. She was probably running too fast and didn't notice you."
Shen Yanchuan naturally wouldn't take issue with a child. Seeing Ye Yunfeng's eyes fixed on the book in his hand, the corner of his lips curved as he handed it back.
"It's no trouble."
Ye Yunfeng took the book back, his anxious heart finally settling.
Third Brother had warned him that the books in their house were precious items and shouldn't be shown to outsiders casually.
He thanked Shen Yanchuan again, pulling Xiao Wu along with him, before running off.
Shen Yanchuan also returned to his room.
Reclining lazily on the couch, the scene from moments ago kept replaying in his mind.
He had read extensively since childhood, but he had no memory of ever seeing that particular book.
And though he had only glanced at one page, he was deeply convinced the book was anything but ordinary. Logically, such a work shouldn't be obscure and unknown.
Not to mention the book's title.
"Emperor Taizong…" Shen Yanchuan narrowed his eyes, murmuring softly.
Emperor Taizong had passed away decades ago. Ordinary people did not mention him lightly. How could that book…
"Lian Zhou, you mentioned earlier that both Ye brothers attend the academy?"
Lian Zhou wasn't sure why his master suddenly brought this up, but he nodded. "Yes. But I heard the academy tutor isn't very kind to them."
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
The reason went without saying.
The Ye family had been heavily targeted recently. The academy tutor had probably heard something and was treating the Ye brothers harshly.
Such situations were inevitable in a small place. At the slightest ripple, everyone would know with the greatest speed.
Shen Yanchuan thought for a moment. "Go tell them that while I'm recuperating here, I find myself with time on my hands. I'd like to borrow a couple of books to read."
Lian Zhou was surprised. "You want to borrow books here?"
Their own residence had a vast collection of books. Why would his master want to—
But seeing Shen Yanchuan's mind was made up, Lian Zhou didn't ask further and simply acknowledged the order.
"Yes!"
…
"He wants to borrow books?"
Ye Chutang was somewhat surprised.
Ye Jingyan nodded. "Yes. His attendant said he's bored staying here and would like to borrow a couple of books to pass the time."
He asked hesitantly, "Elder Sister, should we lend them to him?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "They're just books. Lend them to him. Pick out a couple of travel journals and send them over."
After all, he was paying to stay here. They could afford him this small convenience.
Ye Jingyan understood. "Alright, I understand."
Just as he turned to leave, Ye Chutang called him back. "A-Yan, wait."
Ye Jingyan turned. "Elder Sister?"
Ye Chutang asked thoughtfully, "How have things been at the academy lately? Has the tutor been deliberately making things difficult for you?"
Ye Jingyan hadn't expected her to ask this and was momentarily stunned.
He instinctively wanted to shake his head, but the person before him was his elder sister. After a moment's hesitation, he answered truthfully. "It… it might not count as deliberate difficulty. Perhaps my studies aren't good enough, and the tutor has always been very strict, so…"
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
"Then it is difficulty."
Ye Chutang could easily discern the true meaning behind his tactful words.
Actually, she had known for a long time that the tutor didn't like A-Yan and A-Feng. When they first arrived in Jiangling, the brothers knew it wouldn't be easy for them to establish themselves here. They endured it even when the tutor gave them a hard time.
The tutor held considerable status in Jiangling. Offending him would undoubtedly make things difficult everywhere.
But their tolerance and concessions clearly hadn't earned them any leniency. Instead, it had worsened.
Ye Chutang handed him a jar of ointment. "Don't forget to apply this to the wounds on your hands."
Ye Jingyan forced a relaxed smile. "They're almost healed already. Elder Sister, don't worry."
But Ye Chutang still pressed the medicine into his hand. Looking at the mark on his palm that hadn't completely faded, she said softly, "A-Yan, you and A-Feng are different. He's been tough and restless since he was little. If he can't recite his lessons and gets beaten, it's what he deserves. But you've always been sensible. Among children your age, if you said your studies were second, no one would dare claim first."
"These hands of yours should be used for writing essays."
Ye Jingyan was taken aback. He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
He just… didn't want his elder sister to worry.
Ye Chutang patted his shoulder. At thirteen, A-Yan's body was starting to shoot up. That boy who once only came up to her chest, his eyes full of panic and despair, had, at some point, grown as tall as her. Soon, he would likely surpass her.
After a pause, Ye Chutang asked, "A-Yan, do you want to return to the capital to study?"
Ye Jingyan looked at her, shocked.
"Elder Sister?"
Ye Chutang said, "Just answer yes or no."
Ye Jingyan pressed his lips together tightly, silent for a long time.
To say he didn't want to would be a lie, but… how could they possibly go back now?
Finally, Ye Jingyan shook his head firmly. "I only want to stay with Elder Sister, A-Feng, and Xiao Wu. Nothing else is important."
In his heart, family always came first.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
Ye Chutang wasn't surprised by this answer.
When the incident happened, A-Yan was only ten. But he had been intelligent and mature from a young age. Especially after experiencing those events, his thoughts had grown even deeper.
A-Feng was about the same age, yet he remained carefree and unburdened. A-Yan was completely different.
Ye Chutang had been able to settle them successfully in Jiangling, and A-Yan had genuinely helped her a great deal.
But education was something that couldn't be delayed.
In this era, studying was the best path forward. Moreover, they couldn't possibly stay in this small town of Jiangling forever.
There were still many things she had to do.
Ye Chutang said, "If you want to, we'll go back."
Ye Jingyan's heart gave a heavy thump. "Elder Sister—"
The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curved slightly. "A letter has arrived from the capital."
Ye Jingyan's eyes widened instantly, a rare look of urgency on his face. "Really!?"
Ye Chutang nodded. Her tone remained calm, but her dark, gentle eyes seemed tinged with a thin layer of coldness.
"That 'accident' back then was not an accident. The people who killed Father, Mother, and Eldest Brother… were not ordinary mountain bandits or robbers."
A weight like a massive stone pressed down on Ye Jingyan's chest, making it almost hard to breathe.
Three years ago, their father had been demoted. On their way to Wuzhou, the family was ambushed by a group of vicious bandits. The casualties were severe.
Later, it was only because Elder Sister led them to blend in with the refugees fleeing famine that they barely survived.
In the three years since then, Elder Sister had been secretly investigating the truth of what happened that year. Had she finally gotten news now?
He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he asked, "Then—who are they!?"
(End of Chapter)
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