Yan He met Yan Yunze's gaze without warning. His heart lurched. Could this brat hear it too?
Then wouldn't he...
Yan He gave an awkward laugh. "Yunze, let me explain..."
Yan Yunze said, "I only have one question."
"Go ahead, Yunze."
Yan Yunze folded his arms, leaning toward Feng Jingruo. "Does my mother know about this?"
Yan He rubbed his nose, his conscience guilty. "I haven't had time to tell her."
"So she doesn't know?" Yan Yunze frowned. "Uncle, could you please tell my mother the truth?"
Being lectured by his nephew left Yan He feeling rather embarrassed, but Yan Yunze wasn't wrong. Unable to find an excuse, he could only nod resentfully.
"And as for my aunt-"
Yan Yunze said, "There's probably no chance left between you two, so stop bothering her."
Yan He grew anxious. "Who says there's no chance for us? What's so interesting about an eighteen-year-old?"
"Huh? You're over forty, aren't you? You must smell like an old man by now."
Yan He's eyes widened. Yan Yunze waved his hands to show that he hadn't said it. No matter how bold he was, he wouldn't dare be so insolent.
Yan He looked behind him and met a somewhat familiar face.
This was still a youth, fresh and lively, though his words were unpleasant.
[Oh no, they aren't going to start fighting, are they?]
[The new flame versus the old love. No matter how you look at it, Uncle's going to lose.]
Who are you looking down on? Yan He stepped forward. Before he could make a move-or even utter a word-the previously cocky youth was trembling as he hid in a woman's arms.
He looked as though he had been frightened out of his wits.
Yan He: "..."
[What a master at brewing green tea.]
Tong Aning almost wanted to applaud him.
His eyes reddening, the youth clutched the woman's sleeve and pointed at Yan He. "Wife, he's bullying me. You have to stand up for me."
Juan Feixue looked at Yan He and paused. How had these two run into each other?
Juan Feixue's expression chilled. "After all these years, you're still just as unreasonable, Yan He."
Yan He said, "Could you listen to me first?"
"I'm not interested."
Over a decade ago, she hadn't been interested. Over a decade later, she still wasn't. Yan He clenched his fists.
Juan Feixue took the youth's hand and said gently, "All right, I'll take you home."
The youth smiled radiantly, making Yan He beside him seem all the more lackluster. "All right."
Yan He watched blankly as they walked farther and farther away.
Feng Jingruo asked, "After such a huge blow, Uncle won't..."
Yan Yunze said confidently, "He won't. My uncle is a most dignified man."
Yan He suddenly ran forward like a madman, yelling as he ran and making everyone turn to look.
Yan Yunze: "..."
Feng Jingruo silently raised her fan to hide herself.
[How very dignified.]
Yan Yunze's mother came over, looking puzzled. "Didn't they say the monkeys had been released back into the mountains? Why can I still hear one screeching?"
Yan Yunze couldn't bring himself to say it. Feng Jingruo chose not to.
Yan Fangling glanced behind Feng Jingruo and Yan Yunze, then smiled. "Achu, Miss Tong, and Young Master Tong are here too... Why don't I see your uncle?"
[Uncle just swung away.]
Yan Fangling: "?"
Who was speaking?
Forget it. Yan He was already in his forties; it wasn't her place to meddle.
Yan Fangling looked at Feng Jingruo. "Since we've happened to meet today, why don't we invite Achu, Miss Tong, and Young Master Tong to the residence for a meal?"
The invitation came out of the blue. Tong Aning had intended to decline, but Xixi said there was a show to watch.
So Tong Aning agreed.
Tong Fengye: "..."
Did his little sister have to be so pragmatic?
Yan Fangling's gaze fell on Tong Fengye's face, and he hurriedly nodded too.
The Yan residence was built in grand style.
By the time they returned, Yan He was already back.
He seemed to have suffered an enormous blow and was utterly defeated. Yan Fangling said, "Who are you putting on that face for?"
Yan Yunze tugged at Yan Fangling's sleeve. After hearing him out, she sighed. Surprised, Yan Yunze asked, "Mother, you knew?"
"If your uncle weren't incapable, why would I have brought your father into the family as a live-in husband? Your grandfather just wouldn't let me tell your uncle, for fear of upsetting him."
Now, even if he didn't want to be upset, he had no choice. Yan He burst into loud sobs.
Yan Fangling said disdainfully, "Enough. Look at yourself."
Yan Yunze walked over to Feng Jingruo and exchanged a glance with her.
The business with his uncle was over, so what exactly was the show in their residence?
Yan Yunze's father only returned after nightfall.
Yan Fangling asked, "Where have you been?"
Li Tian walked up to her and lowered his voice. "Must you embarrass me like this even in front of outsiders?"
Yan Fangling glanced at Li Tian, tapped the table, and asked again, "Where have you been?"
Li Tian roared, "Yan Fangling, I'm not your prisoner!"
Tong Aning and the other two, who had been talking, all looked over.
Li Tian broke down. "You've controlled me all these years. You interfere with who I befriend, and you interfere when I go to banquets. What other man lives like me, without a shred of freedom?"
The more Li Tian spoke, the less confident he became, but he still steeled himself and said everything on his mind.
Afterward, Li Tian guiltily wondered whether Yan Fangling would beat him to death.
[Tsk, that person Li Tian wanted to befriend had long since gotten mixed up with rebels. His entire household was executed five years ago. If Yan Fangling hadn't stopped him, Li Tian's head would have rolled too, wouldn't it?]
Li Tian instinctively covered his head. Though it was a summer night, he felt a little cold.
[As for those banquets, they were downright treasonous. Once those people gathered and got drunk, they either criticized the emperor or criticized the crown prince. Chancellor Lou rounded up the whole lot ages ago. Sigh, how many heads does Li Tian have to spare for the chopping block?]
Li Tian: ...
He only had this one head.
Li Tian's heart went ice-cold. He repeatedly felt his neck, only relaxing once he confirmed that his head was still firmly attached.
Li Tian stammered, "Wife..."
Yan Fangling glanced at him. "I'll give you your freedom."
"Never mind, never mind. I don't want it."
Li Tian sat down beside Yan Fangling and said somewhat ingratiatingly, "On my way back today, it seemed something had happened at the Duke of Anguo's Residence."
"What happened?"
Li Tian said, "The little heir nearly drowned."
Yan Fangling looked up. "This is the second time, isn't it?"
"Yes. Duke Anguo's Wife has already sent someone to the palace to summon an imperial physician. Who knows whether he can still be saved."
[Xixi, someone did this on purpose, right?]
[The second branch did it the first time. They've always resented Duke Anguo's Wife for clinging so tightly to the title, even abandoning her own son to raise an outsider.]
[The Heir of Duke Anguo is disabled, so he can't inherit the title anyway.]
[Exactly.]
Seeing them craning their necks, Yan Fangling simply had a servant take them over to look.
The moment they entered the Duke of Anguo's Residence, they ran into the Heir of Duke Anguo.
Tong Aning greeted him. "Good evening, Han Rui."
Feng Chu gave Tong Fengye a thumbs-up. Tong Aning was amazing; she could choke Han Rui with a single sentence.
Sure enough, veins bulged with Han Rui's anger. "Tong Aning, Tong Fengye, you two again? What, have you come to steal another bride today?"
Mei Xiangyu walked over and asked gently, "Husband, why didn't you call me when we had guests?"
Han Rui's face was cold. "Don't call me that. I'm not your husband."
"Look at you, being stubborn again."
Mei Xiangyu laid the cloak in her hands over Han Rui's knees, then wrapped him up so tightly that not a breath of air could get through. She said with concern, "Don't catch a chill."
[Won't that give him heat rash?]
Mei Xiangyu raised an eyebrow at Tong Aning. "You've all come to see my little brother-in-law, haven't you? He hasn't woken up yet. I'll take you over."
Mei Xiangyu had someone push Han Rui, then led Tong Aning and the other two through the covered walkway toward the courtyard.
The courtyard was exquisitely built. Even beneath the night sky, the brilliance of its flowers was visible.
At present, however, the fragrance of medicine had overwhelmed the flowers' scent.
Duke Anguo's Wife was arguing with someone.
"Bullshit! If not for you, how would my son have ended up like this? I've been far too lenient with you."
The woman from the second branch stared at Duke Anguo's Wife in disbelief. "Lenient? You nearly sliced off my husband's ear!"
Duke Anguo's Wife said calmly, "So what? You still haven't given up your wicked schemes. I should have had you killed."
"Qin Rong, you vicious woman who deserves a thousand cuts! Where's Eldest Brother? Go fetch him! At this rate, the entire Duke of Anguo's Residence will bear the surname Qin!"
The guards glanced at Qin Rong. She said, "Hurry up and carry the duke over."
Duke Anguo's wheelchair happened to face Han Rui's. Han Rui could see his father drooling just by lowering his head.
Han Rui silently turned his head away.
Qin Rong went over to Duke Anguo and wiped away nonexistent tears. "My lord, I know. I know everything. You loathe the second branch too. I'll see that Azhuo gets justice."
Duke Anguo: "Mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph."
"What did you say?"
[He says he's deeply touched.]
Qin Rong looked up, her gaze quickly moving away from Tong Aning, and curled her lips.
Qin Rong said, "It's only what I should do. Life isn't easy for us, a widow and her fatherless children."
Duke Anguo: "Mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph, mmph."
[He's thanking you for your hard work.]
Qin Rong said, touched, "It's no trouble."
She stood with her hands on her hips. "You people from the second branch, don't think you can throw your weight around here. If Azhuo wakes up today, fine. If he doesn't, you haven't heard the last of me."
The woman from the second branch was so enraged by Qin Rong's change of face that her lips trembled. "Qin Rong, you..."
[Actually, Han Rui pushed the little heir into the water.]
Qin Rong looked at her eldest son.
Han Rui trembled. "Mother, what are you doing? I'm worried about my little brother falling into the water too."
"Worried, my ass."
Qin Rong walked over and grabbed his collar. "Tell me honestly. Did you have anything to do with Azhuo falling into the water?"
Han Rui said aggrievedly, "Mother, I'm your biological son."
Mei Xiangyu said softly, "Mother, my little brother-in-law seems to have woken up."
Qin Rong released Han Rui and rushed to the bedside, carefully helping Han Zhuo sit up.
Han Zhuo rubbed his eyes. "Mother."
"Tell Mother who pushed you."
Han Rui said, "Mother, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving."
Unfortunately, he was in a wheelchair, and he seldom pushed it himself. Even after pushing until sparks practically flew from his hands, he still hadn't made it out the door.
Han Zhuo pointed at him. "It was Eldest Brother. He said there was a bird's nest in the tree by the bank. When I leaned over to look, he pushed me."
[The heir pushed the heir!]