TMBIABHL: Chapter 42

 Glossary

·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): Female protagonist. Heir to an ancient medical family.

·Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): The youngest Ye sister.

·Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): Fourth Brother. Also called A-Feng.

·Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): Third Brother. Also called A-Yan.

·Ye Heng (叶恆): A young man from the capital, the second son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Also called Ye Mingze (叶明泽).

·Han Yao (韩尧): A young man from the capital, son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments.

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Chapter 42: Long Time No See

The smugness on the face of the youth in the middle was almost impossible to conceal. "My father once received kindness from the Marquis of Dingbei's household. Now that the Marquis's heir has returned to the capital, sending an invitation is only proper."

The words sounded modest but subtly revealed that his family did indeed have dealings with the Marquis of Dingbei's household. The others listening wore expressions of envy.

"That's the Marquis of Dingbei's household, true imperial aristocracy! Forget ordinary families; even among all the civil and military officials in court, how many can gain their favor? Brother Mingze, when you rise to greatness in the future, don't forget us!"

The continuous flattery from the group made the youth even more pleased.

One of them eagerly urged, "Hey, since we're all together today, how about going to Spring Breeze Pavilion (meaning: a well-known pleasure house) for a while? They just got a new top courtesan who plays the pipa beautifully and is a stunning beauty!"

This suggestion was immediately agreed upon by the others. Only the youth in the middle first brightened, then showed a troubled expression.

"I'm afraid I can't go. I haven't finished the assignments my father gave me yesterday. If he finds out I went to Spring Breeze Pavilion again, he'll be furious."

The other youths didn't think it was a big deal.

"It's just to listen to some music! What's the harm? Besides, you can do the assignments anytime. Why bury yourself in those boring books all day like those bookworms?"

They all came from families with some means and looked down the most on those poor scholars who studied diligently.

The youth seemed tempted but ultimately refused, saying somewhat irritably, "You don't understand. My father's demands on me are getting stricter. Last time he saw an essay I wrote, he lectured me for a long time. Forget it, let's go another time!"

Hearing this, the others looked disappointed.

"What a shame. That Miss Su doesn't perform every day. If you miss it today, who knows when you'll get to see her again..."

...

Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze.

Before the waiter could recite the menu, Ye Yunfeng had already started ordering.

"Crystal pork trotter, steamed pork meatballs with crab roe, braised turtle in white sauce, phoenix tail shrimp, and an order of steamed pork ribs with rice flour!"

Hearing this, the waiter gave him another look.

He had thought they were out-of-towners, but judging by his tone, he was intimately familiar with Moon-Viewing Pavilion's signature dishes, as if he had been here before.

"Big Sister, should we order anything else?" Ye Yunfeng was starving, looking at her eagerly.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As the saying goes, a half-grown boy can eat his father poor. A teenager was precisely at the age when he was growing, and his appetite was astonishing. If not for Ye Chutang occasionally extorting—no, working diligently to earn money—she really might not have been able to afford to feed him.

She thought for a moment. "Add an order of sweet and sour squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and lychee pork (meaning: a sweet and sour pork dish shaped to resemble lychees)."

Little Five had a sweet tooth and would definitely like them.

The young woman's clear, clean voice rang out, like a clear stream flowing through the noisy, bustling hall.

The waiter hurriedly acknowledged the order.

Leaving aside the squirrel fish, the lychee pork was truly the jewel in the crown of Moon-Viewing Pavilion's signatures. Not everyone knew about it; only truly distinguished guests would order it.

When he first saw this young woman, the waiter merely felt her overall bearing didn't resemble that of an ordinary family, so he didn't dare neglect her. Now, hearing her name this dish so familiarly, he was even more convinced she was someone of notable status, perhaps a noble young lady from elsewhere. He became even more careful not to offend her, his attitude growing considerably more attentive.

"Right away! Please wait a moment, it'll be here soon!"

A youth coming down the stairs heard the voice and couldn't help looking over. When he clearly saw the young woman's face, a look of awe flashed in his eyes.

He immediately elbowed the person next to him. "Hey, hey! Look over there! You just said that Miss Su from Spring Breeze Pavilion is a stunning beauty. How does she compare to this one?"

The other, taller, lanky youth, who had been busy talking, was drawn by his words and instinctively glanced over. "What—"

His voice cut off abruptly.

It took him a good while to come back to his senses. He kept sizing up the young woman, a touch of fervor already in his eyes.

"They can't be compared,simply can't be compared! I thought that Miss Su was beautiful enough, but next to this one, she's just common fare! I just wonder which family this young lady is from? How have I never seen her before?"

He had a well-known fondness for beautiful women. If there was a woman with such looks in the capital, it was impossible he wouldn't know!

"She doesn't seem to be from the capital?"

"Probably not.Her clothes look quite ordinary. It's just that her looks and bearing are truly extraordinary!"

"What, smitten? Should I go make some inquiries for you?"

Noticing the reactions of these two, the youth in the middle asked curiously, "Who are you talking about?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The lanky youth quickly signaled with his eyes. "Over there! The young lady sitting in the corner! Isn't she a rare beauty?"

The youth in the middle followed his gaze. He was first stunned, then slowly frowned.

For some reason, the woman's profile looked somewhat familiar...

Seeing his reaction, the lanky youth felt strange and hastily added, "Of course, she definitely isn't as beautiful as your own sister! But she really is eye-catching, isn't she?"

The youth didn't speak, his furrowed brows not relaxing.

The others exchanged glances, not expecting this reaction from him.

The lanky youth's eyes darted around. He tentatively asked, "Well? Brother Mingze, if you've taken a fancy to her, I promise I won't compete with you!"

He received no response.

The youth took two more steps, squinting slightly as if trying to see more clearly.

In the eyes of the others, this confirmed he had taken a liking to the young woman. They secretly chuckled and exchanged meaningful looks.

"Brother Mingze, if you're too shy, we can go ask around for you!"

"That's right! For her to catch Brother Mingze's eye is her good fortune!"

The noise from their side seemed to have drawn attention. Just as he hesitated, wanting to move closer, the young woman suddenly looked up.

A face of peerless beauty came into view.

The group of youths fell silent for a moment.

From afar, they had only seen her profile and thought her looks were exceptional. Now, seeing her features clearly and meeting those dark, warm, star-like eyes, they found her even more captivating, almost soul-stirring.

The lanky youth was the first to react. A smile spread across his face as he cupped his hands toward Ye Chutang. "I am Han Yao. My father is the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. May I ask the young lady's name?"

He deliberately mentioned his family background, expecting the other party to be flustered and respectful. But contrary to his expectations, the young woman opposite remained calm, as if she hadn't heard him at all.

Coincidentally, the waiter began serving the dishes. She turned her head to the little milk bun beside her. "Little Five, try this."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Han Yao immediately felt he had lost all face. Everyone around was watching!

He frowned, his tone turning nasty. "Do you know who this is beside me?! This is the Second Young Master of Vice Minister Ye of the Court of Judicial Review! You—"

The young woman finally looked back.

Just as Han Yao thought she was finally afraid, he saw the young woman's lips curve slightly. She gave a faint smile to the person beside him and said:

"Mingze, long time no see."

(End of Chapter)

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