TMBIABHL: Chapter 55

 Glossary

·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, the Second Miss of the Ye family.

·Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead, Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei.

·Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister.

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

·Lady Gao (高氏): Ye Heng's wife.

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

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

·Han Yao (韩尧): A young nobleman, friend of Ye Mingze.

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Chapter 55: Backing

The scene froze, dead silent.

Everyone was stunned.

What was happening? Was the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei… was he calling out to that little toddler?

Little Five trotted over on her short legs to stand before Shen Yanchuan, lifting her little face, her eyes sparkling.

Shen Yanchuan handed her an exquisitely beautiful sachet woven with gold thread and adorned with jade. "A peace talisman I had requested for you. See if you like it?"

Little Five’s eyes shone even brighter.

She glanced back at Ye Chutang.

Shen Yanchuan smiled and ruffled her little head. "This is specially for you. You don't need to ask your elder sister."

Ye Chutang was speechless.

With the heir presenting a gift in person, how could she possibly refuse?

The corner of her lips curved slightly. "This is the heir's kind thought, Little Five. Aren't you going to thank him?"

Little Five, holding her little belly, bowed earnestly in thanks before accepting the gift with both hands, a smile blooming on her chubby little face.

She stared at the intricately embroidered patterns and the pale greenish-white cold jade pendant on the red cord, utterly enchanted.

It was so pretty! She could use it to help A-Jie hold silver taels!

Ye Heng was dumbfounded, his speech stammering. "H-heir, Y-you… you know Little Five?!"

A mere three or four-year-old toddler, and a mute one at that—how could she possibly be connected to the noble and exalted Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei!?

A slight smile touched Shen Yanchuan's lips. "Second Miss Ye's youngest sister—of course I know her."

The surroundings grew even quieter, the atmosphere becoming extremely delicate.

Ye Heng was utterly bewildered. This "Second Miss Ye" he referred to was none other than Ye Chutang!

This—

Shen Yanchuan lifted his gaze, his deep, dark eyes seeming to hold a hint of amusement as he gave a slight nod.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Physician Ye, it's been a while."

……

Ye Chutang knew the world was small, but she hadn't known it was this small.

Back then, tempted by that bit of medical fee, she had taken in a troublesome patient. She had thought that after parting in Jiangling, mountains and rivers would stretch long between them, and they would never meet again.

Who could have guessed she would run into him again so soon after just returning to the capital.

Regret. Intense regret.

But under the watchful eyes of the crowd now, she could only play along, performing a curtsy.

"My greetings to the heir."

Ye Heng looked left, then right, truly unable to make sense of it.

"Heir, you and Chutang…"

Shen Yanchuan finally looked at him, offering a faint smile. "A while ago, I was hurrying back to the capital when I met with a minor accident. Thanks to Physician Ye's treatment, I was able to return smoothly. I just never imagined she was the Second Young Lady of the Ye residence."

These words made Ye Heng's heart skip a beat, stirring an inexplicable discomfort.

Ye Chutang was the second child in her immediate family, hence called Second Young Lady. But now he was the master of this household. To publicly call Ye Chutang the Second Young Lady of the Ye residence like this—where did that place him and his family!

But even if Ye Heng were given a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare openly contradict the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei.

Besides, compared to that, what concerned him more was—

"You're saying… you're saying Chutang treated you before!?"

In his shock, Ye Heng's voice rose several pitches.

The others were also thrown into disarray by this casually dropped bombshell, whispers breaking out.

"Really? That Ye Chutang actually has such a connection with the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei!?"

"Would he lie speaking personally? I also heard the heir was injured on his way back. He's declined all invitations since returning to focus on recuperating. To think—"

"I heard his injury was quite serious! And it was Ye Chutang who treated him!? How is that possible!?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ye Heng turned to look at Ye Chutang in disbelief. "Chutang, such an important matter—why didn't you mention it before!"

His words were urgent, even carrying a faint trace of reproach.

Ye Chutang paused. "Second Uncle, to be frank, I myself only just learned of the heir's identity."

Ye Heng was taken aback.

Shen Yanchuan nodded, seeming to kindly concur and add, "The circumstances were complicated at the time. I did not disclose my identity, but Physician Ye, with the benevolent heart of a healer, showed no disdain whatsoever and treated me to the best of her ability. I am deeply grateful."

Hearing this, many people secretly glanced at Lady Gao.

Just moments ago, she had openly claimed Ye Chutang only interacted with country bumpkins. Who would have known she had even treated the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei! And from the heir's words, it sounded like he felt indebted to Ye Chutang!

The slap to her face couldn't have been louder!

Lady Gao evidently also recalled her own earlier words, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions, her heart filled with both regret and vexation.

What was going on with this Ye Chutang! Wasn't it said she just ran a small clinic? Who knew she had this kind of connection!

Ye Shixian secretly clenched her handkerchief tightly.

Ye Chutang already knew the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei? And clearly, they were on good terms. Otherwise, the heir wouldn't be so amiable even to that little brat, even specially bringing a gift…

"Originally, being unwell, I didn't wish to disturb. But upon hearing Physician Ye had returned, after some thought, I decided to come personally to deliver a token of gratitude, to express my sincerity."

As Shen Yanchuan spoke, he lifted his chin slightly.

Lian Zhou immediately stepped forward, presenting the gift of thanks.

Ye Heng's face flushed red, then paled white.

He had thought Shen Yanchuan's visit was to honor him. Who could have guessed the man was actually here for Ye Chutang!

He forced a smile onto his face, stiffly inviting Shen Yanchuan to take a seat.

"Heir, please—"

Shen Yanchuan, with his noble status, naturally took the seat of honor.

Everyone rose to pay their respects to him.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As he passed before Han Yao, Shen Yanchuan suddenly paused, tilting his head slightly.

Seeing those black boots stop before him, Han Yao was also stunned. He instinctively looked up and met a pair of indifferent, inscrutable eyes.

For some reason, in that instant, Han Yao felt a chill shoot straight to the crown of his head, the hairs all over his body standing on end!

An indescribable, immense sense of danger completely enveloped him!

But it was only a glance. The next moment, Shen Yanchuan withdrew his gaze and walked forward as if nothing had happened.

Han Yao remained frozen in his bowed posture until the person next to him nudged him, jolting him back to awareness.

The back of his robe was actually damp with cold sweat.

Had he… had he somehow offended this person before?

……

Only after Shen Yanchuan took his seat did everyone else sit down again.

"Today is a Ye family banquet. There's no need for excessive formality," he said, then seemed to remember something. "Ah, right. I seemed to hear earlier that you were planning to invite Physician Zhang to examine Little Five?"

For a moment, no one responded.

If Ye Chutang could treat him, she clearly had genuine skill. Did her own younger sister have a problem or not—would she need someone else to determine that?

Lady Gao clearly knew nothing about this at all.

If she truly cared so much for her niece, how could she not know this and rashly suggest inviting an imperial physician? This—

Lady Gao was bursting with frustration but could not argue, feeling utterly humiliated!

The gift of thanks was presented before Ye Chutang. It was a carved nannmu wood box, clearly of considerable value.

Ye Chutang took a sip of tea, glancing imperceptibly across the room.

Do you really enjoy watching the show this much?

Shen Yanchuan raised his cup to her from afar in a slight toast.

Where else? The show is too splendid. A pity to miss.

Ye Chutang offered a slight smile.

Then you truly have too much free time.

At that moment, a maid serving a dish to Lady Gao suddenly let out a sharp cry, retreating in terror.

"Madam! You—you're—!"

(End of Chapter)

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