By a twist of fate, Ye Lingyue returned to the forr Feng Residence.
"Ling Yue, I heard you’ve been made a Female Lord, and I wanted to find a chance to visit you. It’s quite fortuitous, this ti around, Cousin Liu Yun is also in the mansion, and it’s been a long ti since we sisters have gathered. This ti, I definitely won’t let you leave. Why are you here alone? I heard Family Head Feng is also with you, why isn’t he here?"
Ye Yinsuang was full of joy. Seeing her deanor, Ye Lingyue thought that the Ye Family might still be unaware of Feng Xun’s death.
She forced a smile and evasively exchanged a few words, making Ye Yinsuang cease her inquiries.
Beside her, Dahuang was also circling Ye Lingyue, wagging its tail incessantly.
Little Zhiyo, just like in the past, stood atop Dahuang’s head, assuming the airs of a leader overlooking the lands.
Seeing Dahuang, Little Zhiyo imdiately fell into a playful frenzy, the two were such bosom companions that even Little Wuya felt envious.
Ye Yinsuang welcod Ye Lingyue into the residence, chatting incessantly along the way about how the Ye Family had won the Emperor Xia’s favor after relocating to the Xia Capital.
Following the Beiqing Coup, the Feng Residence was moved out of Beiqing, and the nurous estates Feng Residence had across various countries were also put up for sale.
The Emperor Xia ordered his people to purchase these estates and then bestowed them upon the Ye Family.
Now, all of the Ye Family mbers were residing in the Feng Residence.
Ye Lingyue had visited the Feng Residence several tis and was quite familiar with its arrangents; the Ye Family did not make any major modifications when they moved in.
Yet, after Ye Gu moved into the Feng Residence, he bought several adjacent private houses and expanded them into a martial arts training ground and an Iron Refining Workshop for the daily cultivation use of Ye Family disciples.
"Grandfather, Uncle, Father, look who’s back!"
Upon entering the mansion, Ye Yinsuang shouted loudly.
The Ye Family now also counted as a noble family in the Xia Capital, yet Ye Yinsuang remained as straightforward as ever, just like her days in Qiufeng Town.
Ye Lingyue was affected by her enthusiasm, the sadness between her brows slightly faded.
Apart from the fourth uncle who was still at the Iron Refining Workshop, Ye Gu and the others ca out upon hearing the news.
Seeing Ye Lingyue, Ye Gu’s wrinkles bunched up into a smile, resembling a blooming chrysanthemum.
"Yue’er, why didn’t you send soone to inform your grandfather and uncles before coming back so we could co to fetch you?" Ye Gu only had Ye Lingyue as his granddaughter, and after neglecting her in her youth, he doted on her incessantly since she regained her senses.
Ye Lingyue was surrounded by the uncles, all enquiring about her well-being.
"Grandfather, first uncle, second uncle, I just ca to the Xia Capital for so matters, it was rather sudden and I didn’t have ti to inform you." Ye Lingyue was encircled by the crowd, each treating her as a rare panda, asking after her welfare incessantly, which made her sowhat overwheld.
Having never been fond of the bustling, she had grown even cooler after Feng Xun’s death.
Leaving Ye Huangyu and others was due to not wanting to live uneasily amidst their continuous care.
Fortunately, the Ye Family was unaware of Feng Xun’s passing; when they saw Ye Lingyue, only joy was evident in their eyes, without a trace of lancholy, which was consequently more comforting for Ye Lingyue.
"Child, why have you lost so much weight? Is it because you’re not accustod to the local food? That barbaric land is nothing compared to the resource-rich Xia Capital. Co, prepare a few tables with food and wine to welco the young lady. Speaking of which, with the New Year approaching, why don’t you stay here instead of leaving after your business? Your mother, to let her only daughter go running about like this," Ye Gu furrowed his brow, muttering, secretly determining to fatten her up before letting her go.
Reminded by Ye Gu, Ye Lingyue only then realized the year-end was near; no wonder the Xia Capital was infused with the festive spirit of year-end celebrations.
That night, the entire Ye Residence hosted a feast, and under Ye Gu’s relentless persuasion, Ye Lingyue only returned to her quarters after indulgently over-eating.
Little Wuya and Little Zhiyo fared worse; taking advantage of Ye Lingyue’s distraction, they stole a few jugs of Ye Gu’s private stash of wine, now utterly inebriated, even their breath reeked of alcohol.
Helpless, Ye Lingyue had to instruct the servants to take them to her quarters together.
Currently, Ye Huangshu, Ye Lingyue’s second uncle, was in charge of internal affairs at the Ye Residence.
Being ticulous by nature, he escorted Ye Lingyue back while informing her that when the Ye Family relocated to the mansion earlier in the year, Ye Gu had specifically had a courtyard reserved for Ye Huangyu and Ye Lingyue.
Unfortunately, after Ye Huangyu remarried, she relocated with her husband to guard the border, and Ye Lingyue was made Female Lord, so the courtyard had remained unoccupied.
Ye Lingyue’s return to the mansion today prompted Ye Huangshu to order it tidied afresh.
Upon entering the courtyard, Ye Lingyue was taken aback.
This courtyard...
"Indeed, this courtyard was once where Family Head Feng lived," Ye Huangshu hadn’t noticed the subtle change in Ye Lingyue’s expression, directing people to carry the drunken Little Zhiyo and Little Wuya inside, setting them up in their respective rooms.
"Second Uncle, thank you. You’ve been looking after my mother and all these years," Ye Lingyue’s voice wavered slightly.
"Silly child, why say that? Rest early. I know you prefer quietude, so all the servants around have been withdrawn; if you need anyone, just call outside the courtyard, and soone will co to attend you," Ye Huangshu chuckled and departed.
With Ye Huangyu and her daughter often away from the Xia Capital, and their old servant, Nanny Liu, having grown aged, Ye Lingyue was now accompanied only by the few lanterns hanging in the corridor in this serene courtyard.
Following familiar steps, Ye Lingyue reached the bedroom of the courtyard, gently pushing the door open, the warm glow inside illuminated her.
Familiar bed, familiar arrangents; this room, once belonging to Feng Xun, remained unchanged.
Even the incense used was Feng Xun’s favored sandalwood.
Ye Lingyue rembered vividly how she ca to the Feng Residence for the first ti to treat Feng Xun’s illness, finding him lying on that bed nearby.
The only change was that the bedding was replaced with a pale yellow fabric.
Her nose stung, Ye Lingyue lightly stroked the items in the room.
Objects remain, yet he is gone.
Gradually, the sound of night clappers drifted in from outside, only then did Ye Lingyue realize it was already three o’clock.
With a sigh, a wave of complex emotions surged inside her, casually extinguishing the lamp, before lying down fully dressed.
Since Feng Xun’s death, she hadn’t slept well, but this night, whether it was because she lay in Feng Xun’s room, or due to the wine at the feast, she felt her eyelids grow heavy, and soon after the third watch, she sank into slumber.
Outside, as the night breeze caressed, Ye Lingyue lay deeply asleep; suddenly, the black Cauldron Seal on her hand twitched suddenly.
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