TMBIABHL: Chapter 45

 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.

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

·Yu Hong (于洪): The steward of the Ye residence.

·Ye Shixian (叶诗娴): Ye Mingze's elder sister, daughter of Ye Heng.

·Ye Heng (叶恆): Ye Chutang's second uncle. Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

---

Chapter 45: Whose Home?

That cry of "Second Young Master" instantly froze the atmosphere on the spot.

Ye Chutang tilted her head to look at Ye Mingze. "Mingze, is he calling you?"

Second Young Master. Among their siblings, there were five, but none ranked as the 'second' young master.

Ye Mingze's face flushed and paled alternately.

At this point, Steward Yu Hong finally noticed that besides Ye Mingze, there were several other people with him.

He hurriedly asked, "Second Young Master, are these guests of yours?"

How strange. The Second Young Master usually befriends idle young men from the capital who spend their days drinking and having fun. When did he make friends like these? Especially that young woman in the carriage. Though only half the curtain was lifted, one could vaguely see a face of peerless beauty. There seems to be a small child inside too?

This…

Before he could figure it out, Ye Yunfeng, who had rushed ahead, frowned deeply. "What nonsense are you talking! This is clearly our—"

"A-Feng."

Ye Chutang called him to a halt and stepped down from the carriage.

She stood gracefully, her hands folded before her abdomen. Every movement exuded an innate refinement. Anyone could guess she was a noble young lady meticulously raised in a prominent family, well-versed in etiquette and manners.

Yu Hong grew even more puzzled.

The next moment, he saw Ye Mingze explain with an awkward expression, "Uncle Hong, this is my cousin."

Cousin?

What cousin? Where did this cousin come from?

Ye Mingze didn't have time to waste with him and just ordered, "Hurry inside and announce it! Tell Father that Cousin has returned! Oh, right! And… and my two cousins! And my younger cousin! They're all back!"

Yu Hong was utterly bewildered.

The Master had returned early today. Seeing the Second Young Master wasn't home studying properly but had sneaked out to play again, he had gotten angry and had been waiting in the study.

He had already made it so clear earlier. The Second Young Master surely understood. So why wasn't he anxious at all now? Instead, he brought back a few "cousins" from who knows where and was so urgently telling him to go report?

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Was the arrival of these few people that important?

Suddenly, a cold snort came from the side.

Ye Yunfeng sounded as if he had heard a joke. "We need an outsider to announce our return to our own home!?"

This Ye Residence was clearly his family's home. Who knew when it had changed owners!

The smile on Ye Chutang's face also faded slightly as she asked softly, "Mingze, what on earth is going on?"

Her voice was very light, yet it caused Ye Mingze to unconsciously shudder.

He opened his mouth but didn't know how to explain.

Ye Chutang lifted her chin slightly. Her gaze, calm as water, swept meticulously over the grand gate before her. Finally, she asked softly in return,

"You said you also moved to Liuwān Alley. It couldn't possibly be such a coincidence that you live right here, could it?"

...

"Miss, these are the new pieces of jewelry sent over by Gold and Jade Pavilion. They're all top quality. Especially this gold wire eight-treasure pearl hairpin. It's truly dazzling! In a few days, at the Princess's Flower Viewing Banquet, if you wear this, you will surely outshine all others!"

The young woman sitting before the bronze mirror covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling.

She was in the prime of her youth, her makeup exquisite. Her gown of moonlit brocade was perfectly tailored. Her every gesture carried the air of one raised in pampered luxury. When she smiled, an added touch of arrogance and bright beauty shone between her brows.

"This hairpin is good, but it's too ornate—" She admired herself in the mirror for a while, then took off that hairpin and replaced it with another. "This jade-inlaid phoenix hairpin is better."

Her maid, Shaoyao, hesitated. "The quality of this jade is excellent, but won't it be too plain, Miss? This is your first time being invited to the Flower Viewing Banquet. You mustn't be outshone by those other noble ladies!"

"It's better to be a little more elegant and understated," Ye Shixian said, smoothing the hairpin. "Those qualified to attend this banquet are all daughters of prominent families. Especially since Princess Qinyang will also be there. Why make a show and displease her?"

In the past, her father's rank had been low. Though she had beauty, she hadn't been eligible for such occasions.

For this, she had been secretly and openly mocked and snubbed by other noble young ladies more than a few times.

Now that she finally had the opportunity, she naturally wanted to hold her head high and show her pride. But Princess Qinyang had disliked her before. She knew what was important.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Shaoyao pouted."That Princess Qinyang is really something! She fancies Young Master Murong, but it just so happens that Young Master Murong likes you. So she takes her anger out on you. She's already found fault with you several times before. Could it be she'll look for trouble with you at the Flower Viewing Banquet too?"

"It's always good to be cautious in speech and action," Ye Shixian said, inserting the jade-inlaid phoenix hairpin into her hair. "Besides, with so many vying for attention there, being the one who doesn't compete will make you stand out even more, won't it?"

Shaoyao's eyes darted, and she also laughed smugly. "Miss is right! In the entire capital, your beauty is first-rate! Even if you wore sackcloth, your beauty would surpass theirs a hundred times over!"

Ye Shixian smiled with calm confidence.

"Alright, put all these away. By the way, hasn't Mingze returned yet?"

"This… it seems not yet."

Ye Shixian's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. "His playful nature really needs to be disciplined properly. Mother spoils him too much."

Shaoyao said obsequiously, "Miss needn't worry. The Second Young Master is actually very clever; he just has a big playfulness streak! If he put a bit more effort into his studies, why worry about not achieving rank? You—"

Her words were cut off as a servant boy hurried over from outside. "Miss!"

Somewhat displeased, Ye Shixian closed the jewelry box with a soft thud.

"Why such a rush?"

The servant boy stood outside the door, his expression complicated.

"You—you—the Master asks you to go over immediately! Please hurry!"

Ye Shixian was taken aback. "Father? What happened?"

The servant boy rubbed his hands together, seemingly unsure how to say it. After a good while, he stammered, "This servant isn't clear either. I… I just heard it seems some guests came back with the Second Young Master! They said… they said they were some cousins or something…"

Clatter.

The wooden comb in Ye Shixian's hand instantly fell to the floor.

She abruptly stood up, her face full of disbelief. "What!?"

...

Ye Shixian hurried toward the study. Just as she reached the courtyard entrance, she bumped into Ye Heng, who was walking out.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Father?"

She stepped forward, both shocked and confused.

"They…they really came back!?"

Ye Heng held his hands behind his back, fists clenched, the look in his eyes shifting. Yet he said, "That's what the servants said, but I haven't seen them yet. I was just going to the main hall."

Ye Shixian opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

"How… how could it be… Back then, didn't they say they had all…"

Ye Heng cut her off. "Talking about that is useless. Only by going to see for ourselves can we find out the truth!"

...

Ye Chutang stepped over the threshold and walked inside all the way to the main hall.

She took a seat on her own and then said, "A-Yan, A-Feng, sit. After traveling for so long, coming home means we should rest properly."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Mingze. "Mingze, you sit too."

Ye Mingze, however, was restless and could only order the steward, "What are you standing there for! Go make tea!"

Yet the next second, he heard Ye Chutang say with a faint, seemingly amused smile, "No need to trouble yourself. Returning to one's own home, there's no reason to have guests busy themselves with hospitality."

Ye Mingze felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

At that moment, footsteps sounded from outside.

An urgent voice came through. "Chutang! Is it really you, returned!?"

Ye Chutang calmly lifted her gaze to look—

(End of Chapter)

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