TMBIABHL: Chapter 54

 Glossary

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

·Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): The youngest Ye sister, approximately 4 years old.

·Lady Gao (高氏): Ye Heng's wife.

·Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The Marquis of Dingbei.

·Lian Zhou (连舟): Shen Yanchuan's attendant and guard.

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

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

·Xu Rongqing (徐容卿): Xu Fengchi's son. A childhood friend of the Ye siblings.

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

·Ye Shixian (叶诗娴): Ye Heng's daughter.

·Physician Zhang (张太医): An imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital.

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Chapter 54: Little Five, Come Here

Lian Zhou quickly glanced up at his master.

Was this the first time his master had been referred to in such a manner?

That Lady Gao really knew how to talk, didn't she? With one sentence, she managed to paint him into a corner.

...

At the banquet, because of Lady Gao's words, the looks everyone gave Ye Chutang grew even more complex.

The hearts of several young noblemen sitting in the back rows, which had been burning with admiration, also instantly cooled considerably.

Han Yao shook his head inwardly. What a pity! I originally thought that even as an orphan, she at least had a Vice Minister of Judicial Review for an uncle for support. With such looks on top of that, entering a prominent family wasn't impossible. But who knew she actually… What family would be willing to welcome such a woman as a bride?

The person beside him chimed in. "Isn't that so? With so many noble young ladies in the capital, no matter how beautiful she is, who knows what she's been through these past three years adrift?"

"If you ask me, taking her home as a proper wife is absolutely out of the question. However, such looks and bearing are truly rare. Taking her into the household as a concubine would be quite nice…"

The few of them exchanged glances, all revealing ambiguous smiles.

These few young masters from prominent families were sitting far back and speaking in low voices, which was why they dared to be so presumptuous.

Han Yao felt a stirring of interest. He patted Ye Mingze and whispered, "What do you think, Brother Mingze?"

Ye Mingze was supposed to be up front with the hosts, but Ye Heng, deeply displeased with his consecutive nights spent out recently, had deliberately cold-shouldered him.

Ye Mingze was also sulking and had simply sat with a few friends instead.

Hearing Han Yao's question, he sneered. "If you don't mind, go ahead."

Han Yao's eyes lit up.

When he first learned Ye Chutang was Ye Mingze's cousin, he had secretly regretted being insolent to her face. But who could have guessed Ye Mingze went to Spring Breeze Pavilion that very night and got dead drunk?

Upon asking, he discovered Ye Mingze actually loathed this cousin intensely.

Naturally, Han Yao and the others relaxed, even daring to make such jokes in front of Ye Mingze.

He looked at Ye Chutang again, his gaze carefully sweeping over that gentle, refined face. A wave of fervent interest rose in his heart.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

...

Ye Chutang, of course, understood the sarcasm laced within Lady Gao's words.

For these noble young ladies, reputation was paramount. Anyone spoken of like this would likely be furious.

Lady Gao was determined not to let her off easily.

How could Xu Rongqing fail to notice the reactions of those around him? Seeing Ye Chutang standing there quietly, his heart felt as if pricked by something. He couldn't help saying, "Chutang, these past few years… you've had a hard time."

Ye Chutang was slightly taken aback.

The matter of her correspondence with Xu Fengchi was known only to the two of them. For convenience, even Xu Rongqing was kept in the dark.

The two families had been extremely close, and the children had been familiar since childhood. In her memories, Xu Rongqing was the same age as her elder brother. Compared to her unrestrained and free-spirited brother, Xu Rongqing was gentle, kind, refined, and cultured.

This was essentially her first time meeting him.

His expression was calm, but the flash of heartache in his eyes couldn't be faked. He genuinely felt she had suffered.

A faint smile curved Ye Chutang's lips. "It was alright. Having A-Yan, A-Feng, and Little Five with me made any hardship worth it."

The hall fell silent.

Everyone had assumed she would treat her three years of disarray as a deep secret, to avoid affecting her future marriage prospects. No one expected her to be so forthright.

From beginning to end, her expression was calm, composed, and dignified, making them seem the overly judgmental ones instead…

Seeing the atmosphere turning unfavorable, Lady Gao immediately changed the subject. "Physician Zhang, why don't you examine Little Five now?"

Little Five hid further behind Ye Chutang, her little mouth pressed slightly together, her large, dark grape-like eyes holding wariness towards the stranger.

—Big Sister said she wasn't sick. Why did she still need to see a doctor?

Ye Chutang patted Little Five's head soothingly. "Aunt, Little Five is wary of strangers. Perhaps we should just forget it."

Lady Gao, however, refused to let it go. "Physician Zhang has come with great difficulty. If we miss this chance today, who knows how long we'll have to wait. Little Five, come here. Just let Physician Zhang take a quick look. It'll be over soon!"

Little Five naturally wouldn't listen to her, clinging tightly to the hem of Ye Chutang's clothes, refusing to let go.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Unable to restrain herself, Lady Gao walked over and actually reached out to pull her. "Be a good girl, just come here—"

Just as her hand was about to touch Little Five, a slender, pale hand suddenly caught her wrist.

Lady Gao was stunned, only then realizing it was Ye Chutang who had stopped her.

She instinctively tried to pull free but found she couldn't move at all. That seemingly soft, boneless hand was surprisingly difficult to break free from.

Lady Gao grew anxious. "Chutang, what are you doing? Little Five is my niece. I'm doing this for her own good!"

The corners of Ye Chutang's mouth curved up, but her dark eyes were cool. She said, word by word, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. But Little Five doesn't like it."

Lady Gao shuddered inexplicably.

Ye Chutang had already released her hand.

Having lost face in front of everyone, Lady Gao secretly gritted her teeth. "What does a little child understand? If we delay, when she grows up—"

Before she could finish, a servant boy hurried in to announce, "Master! The Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei has arrived!"

The entire hall instantly fell into a stunned silence. Everyone was shocked.

That lord had been using recuperation as an excuse to decline all invitations since returning to the capital. How had he come to the Ye Residence today?

Was Ye Heng's influence that great!?

Ye Heng was both shocked and overjoyed. He abruptly stood up. "Truly? Invite him in at once!"

Although he had sent an invitation to the Marquis of Dingbei's residence, he never actually thought that lord would come!

Ye Chutang observed everyone's reactions, a slight arch to her eyebrow.

She had also heard of that Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei. He was said to be the only son of the Marquis, a figure of noble status.

He had followed the Marquis north a few years ago and had only recently returned to the capital.

The Marquis of Dingbei held a high and powerful position. Naturally, this heir was someone countless people wanted to curry favor with.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, a tall, straight figure came into view.

The moment she clearly saw that refined, handsome face, Ye Chutang's eyelid gave a faint twitch. Only one thought filled her mind.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

—Had she known it would come to this, she really should have stuck him with a few dozen more needles back then.

Shen Yanchuan felt an inexplicable chill run up his spine.

But the feeling quickly dissipated because Ye Heng was already striding over.

"Young Master, your honored presence graces us! Please forgive us for not welcoming you properly!"

Ye Shixian stared at that figure, momentarily losing her composure, murmuring softly.

"So this is… the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei?"

She had heard of him before. When a few young ladies from prominent families mentioned him, they were always full of admiration.

Back then, she hadn't paid it much mind. Only now, seeing him for herself, did she understand why they had reacted that way.

In the capital, talented and handsome young men were everywhere. Yet, truly speaking, the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei was undoubtedly number one.

A gentleman like jade, peerlessly noble and elegant.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Shen Yanchuan, their thoughts varied.

Yet the next moment, they saw Shen Yanchuan smile towards a certain direction and beckon with his hand.

"Little Five, come here."

A small figure immediately pattered towards him.

Ye Chutang: "……???"

Ye Chutang: My fellow sisters, who can understand this? My home has been stolen from me again.

(End of Chapter)

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