TMBIABHL: Chapter 44

 Glossary

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

·Ye Mingze (叶明泽): The Second Young Master of Vice Minister Ye's household. Cousin to Ye Chutang.

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

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

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

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Chapter 44: The Old Doorstep

Ye Mingze's lips trembled as he mumbled, "No, we haven't…"

Ye Chutang appeared surprised. "You moved?"

Then, as if remembering something, she smiled with understanding. "Oh, right. Second Uncle has been promoted now, so of course his residence would change as well. I just wonder where you're living now?"

Cold sweat beaded on Ye Mingze's forehead. The words were stuck in his throat, impossible to utter.

After a long moment, he said with difficulty, "On… on Liuwān Alley…"

Hearing this, Ye Jingyan looked up, both surprised and pleased. "So, you're on the same street as our old home? That's wonderful. It will be much more convenient for us to see each other in the future."

Ye Mingze swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

He shot a frantic glance at his servant boy beside him. "Y-You, go back first! Report to Father and Mother! Tell them—tell them Cousin is back in the capital!"

The attendant had never met Ye Chutang and the others. Though he found his master's reaction somewhat strange, he didn't dare ask questions and immediately complied. "Yes, sir!"

However, the moment he turned to leave, the clear, clean voice of a young woman came from behind.

"Mingze, why such a hurry?"

The corners of Ye Chutang's lips held a faint smile as she said gently, "We've traveled a long, dusty road. It would be improper to send a mere servant to inform the elders before we've even straightened our clothes and washed up. Others might think our Ye family lacks upbringing and doesn't understand etiquette."

Ye Mingze felt as if a slap had landed squarely on his face.

Wasn't she saying he was utterly unreasonable and had no manners!?

The servant boy turned back, looking hesitant.

It seemed this young woman was truly from the Ye family. By seniority, his own master had to respectfully address her as "cousin." So whose orders should he follow now?

Ye Mingze forced a smile. "I just wanted the family to know you've returned sooner so we could all be happy together. I—"

Ye Chutang interrupted him with an air of nonchalance. "Three years have already passed. Another moment or two won't make a difference."

Though her tone was calm and gentle, even her eyes warm and bearing a hint of a smile, her words carried an inexplicable air of authority that could not be defied.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The hand Ye Mingze held at his side clenched and unclenched, his mind in turmoil.

He pressed his lips together and looked at Ye Chutang, feeling utterly alienated from her in that moment.

Three years was neither long nor short.

The memory of that frail, weak, quiet, and timid cousin had faded. The youthful naivety and timidity in her eyes had been replaced by a deep, still-pool-like composure and restraint.

Her facial features were distinctly familiar, yet her overall demeanor and presence were completely different from before.

If the former Ye Chutang was a dust-covered pearl—beautiful, but rendered inconspicuous by her soft timidity and quietness—then the present Ye Chutang was like one washed clean of worldly tarnish, gradually radiating her own dazzling brilliance, impossible to ignore.

Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Ye Mingze could only call his servant boy back and have him wait while Ye Chutang and the others finished their meal.

This scene was truly peculiar and drew the attention of many people nearby.

Whispers arose intermittently.

"That young woman is Ye Mingze's cousin? When did his family gain such relatives?"

"Perhaps country relatives coming to seek favor? After all, Lord Ye is soaring high now!"

"It doesn't quite seem like that… Could an ordinary family raise such a young lady? And even leaving her aside, those two young masters each have their own bearing. Even that little child is well-behaved and obedient, completely at ease in a place like this without a trace of timidity. That doesn't seem like an ordinary background…"

"Wait! I remember! Lord Ye did have an elder brother who also served as an official in the capital, and I believe his rank was even higher at the time! I think… I think his name was… Ye Zheng?"

"Yes, yes! That's right! I remember him too! That Lord Ye Zheng was talented and promising in his youth! Everyone said he was very likely to become the youngest Vice Minister of Justice. Unfortunately, he later offended the emperor, was demoted, and sent out of the capital. Not long after, we heard his whole family perished in an accident on the road! Who would have thought—his children are all still alive?"

Most people who frequented Moon-Viewing Pavilion were either wealthy or noble. Even if they weren't very familiar with the name Ye Zheng, they understood what it meant to have been on the verge of promotion to Vice Minister of Justice.

Moreover, this man was the own brother of the currently prominent Ye Heng.

Instantly, the gazes directed at Ye Chutang and the others underwent a subtle change.

Someone murmured quietly, "What a pity. With father and elder brother gone, what can a delicate young woman with a few young siblings do?"

...

Ye Chutang paid no heed to the surrounding scrutiny and discussion, finishing the meal at a leisurely pace.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Beside her, Ye Mingze was growing increasingly impatient but didn't dare rush them. When Ye Chutang and the others had finally finished eating, he eagerly asked, "Can we go back now? I'll have someone fetch a carriage!"

Ye Chutang used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of Little Five's mouth, then picked her up before turning back with a smile to decline politely.

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. We have a carriage outside. Since we're both going to Liuwān Alley, you can come back with us. It saves trouble. How about it?"

Ye Mingze strongly resisted the idea and was just thinking of how to refuse when he saw Ye Jingyan call the waiter over to settle the bill.

He immediately said, "Let me pay for this meal!"

Ye Jingyan hesitated, looking at Ye Chutang. Ye Chutang shook her head, about to refuse, but Ye Mingze spoke again. "Ah—Cousin, you've finally returned after so long. How can I let you pay for this meal? I come to Moon-Viewing Pavilion often. Just put it on my account!"

Mentioning money seemed to restore some of Ye Mingze's confidence.

He hadn't paid much attention earlier, but now he noticed Ye Chutang and the others were dressed quite simply.

Of course. Without their parents' protection, their lives these past few years must have been wretched and difficult!

This gave Ye Mingze a strong sense of superiority, dispelling much of the fear and frustration he had felt upon seeing Ye Chutang and the others.

That's right!

They're just a few destitute stragglers with no one to rely on. What is there to be afraid of!?

Ye Mingze added, "You might not know, but Moon-Viewing Pavilion has raised its prices recently. A meal here costs quite a bit."

The implication was that Ye Chutang and the others couldn't afford it.

Ye Chutang's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if she hadn't caught his sarcastic tone. She smiled and accepted. "Well, thank you then."

Ye Jingyan immediately put away the money pouch he hadn't even opened and also thanked Ye Mingze. "Cousin, you are too kind. Thank you very much."

"Burp~"

Nestled in Ye Chutang's arms, Little Five suddenly let out a small burp, a flash of sorrow crossing her chubby little face.

—You should have said so earlier! She would have ordered a few more dishes!

...

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage turned onto Liuwān Alley and stopped before a grand residence.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Two stone lions stood guard before the gate, imposing and majestic. The characters on the name plaque above the door were written in forceful, bold strokes: Ye Residence.

Looking at this familiar gate, Ye Yunfeng's long-suppressed emotions surged. He turned back and called out excitedly, "Big Sister! We're home!"

As he spoke, he jumped down from the carriage and started forward.

However, at that very moment, the tightly shut gate was suddenly opened from within.

A man who looked like a steward poked his head out.

Ye Yunfeng came to an abrupt halt, utterly bewildered—why was there a stranger in their house?

The next moment, he heard that man urgently call out to Ye Mingze behind him, "Oh dear! Second Young Master! What took you so long! The Master has been waiting for you for half an hour!"

(End of Chapter)

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