Chapter 583: Chapter 583: Big Sister, I Am Unwilling

The day Xie Pei passed away, the scene at the Xie Family Mansion had been incredibly ugly. The two brothers confronted each other in public, and Xie Anjun even tried to throw Xie Anbai out. Although Ye Chutang and Shen Yanchuan’s arrival prevented that from happening, it was an open secret in the capital that Xie Anjun couldn’t stand the sight of Xie Anbai. Now that Xie Pei was gone, Xie Anjun’s word was law in the Xie Family. Xie Anbai’s life was bound to become difficult.

"Rumor has it the Xie Family is even considering splitting the household."

CLACK.

Ye Chutang placed a stone on the board, a half-smile playing on her lips as she raised an eyebrow. "Yan, you’ve never set foot in the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, yet you’re remarkably well-informed," she teased.

Ye Jingyan shook his head. "It’s been the talk among the young masters of the great families for a while now. It would be hard for me *not* to know."

At the Imperial College, his outstanding talent had already won him the admiration of many classmates. With Ye Chutang having saved His Majesty’s life, the Ye Family’s standing was now far higher than before. As a result, even more people were trying to curry favor with Ye Jingyan.

He didn’t even have to ask; such news simply found its way to him.

Ye Chutang grew pensive. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Wu cupping her face in her hands, looking quite distressed. Smiling, she patted the girl’s head comfortingly. "Don’t you worry too much, Xiao Wu. Second Young Master Xie is no pushover."

He’s likely been preoccupied with the funeral arrangements for Xie Pei these past few days. With his heart full of grief, he hasn’t bothered to pick a fight with Xie Anjun.

But once this is all over, it’s hard to say if Xie Anbai will remain so agreeable.

Ye Chutang had been to the Xie Family home. From what she had seen and heard, it seemed there was no longer a place for Xie Anbai in the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion.

But until the very end, who could say for sure how things would turn out?

Xie Anbai might not have cared about such things in the past, but—what about the future?

Especially...

Ye Chutang’s expression tightened as she recalled the conversation she’d had with Shen Yanchuan in a secluded alley after leaving the Xie Family’s home.

’I wonder if Xie Anbai will ever guess the truth behind his father’s death...’

’It would be better if he never knew. But if he grows suspicious and investigates, it will undoubtedly unearth much more.’

’And in all of this, Xie Anjun would surely be implicated.’

"Come to think of it, the late Marquis Zhongyong’s attitude toward his two sons was drastically different," Ye Jingyan said, placing another stone. "Even if Second Young Master Xie is an illegitimate son, it seems a bit much."

Ye Chutang replied nonchalantly, "The eldest legitimate son is remarkably learned, courteous, and sensible. It’s only natural that Marquis Zhongyong would pour all his effort into grooming him as the heir. As for Second Young Master Xie... his reputation as a dissolute rake is known throughout the entire Capital City. I doubt anyone else would be able to look at him favorably either."

But Ye Jingyan’s hand paused. "I don’t think that’s necessarily true."

Ye Chutang looked up, her interest piqued. "Oh?"

Ye Jingyan considered for a moment before speaking. "Second Young Master Xie has a carefree nature, but his Qinggong is superb and his Inner Strength is profound. To attain that level of skill requires both exceptional talent and years of painstaking effort. If he were truly the useless libertine rumors make him out to be, he wouldn’t possess such abilities."

This time, Ye Chutang was genuinely surprised. ’As I recall, Yan and Xie Anbai have barely interacted. How would he know all this?’

Seemingly sensing her confusion, Ye Jingyan added,

"A Feng told me. Back in Jiangling, the very first time Second Young Master Xie visited our clinic, A Feng figured it out."

’No wonder.’

’That explained it.’

’A Feng seems carefree on the surface, but he’s incredibly sharp when it comes to things like this. He probably sized him up in secret long ago.’

"So what?"

"Xie Anjun was designated the Princely Heir long ago, and it was obvious that Xie Pei invested everything in that son."

"Now that Xie Pei is dead, Xie Anjun’s word is law in the vast Marquis Mansion."

Ye Jingyan gazed at the board, picked up a black stone, and rubbed it gently between his fingertips. In a level voice, he said,

"If this were any other family, it wouldn’t matter. But the Xie Family is different."

Ye Chutang paused.

Ye Jingyan lifted his gaze to meet hers and said, word by word,

"The Xie Family... has military authority."

The room fell silent, the only sound being the soft rustle of snow falling outside the window.

Xiao Wu glanced left, then right, looking a little lost.

’Why isn’t Sister playing her turn? Has her Go skill gotten rusty from not playing for so long?’

After a moment, Ye Chutang reminded him, "Xie Pei surrendered his military authority ten years ago."

A small smile touched Ye Jingyan’s lips as he asked in return, "Do you really believe that, Sister?"

Ye Chutang looked at him, a sense of wonder in her heart.

"Yan, you’re only fifteen."

’At your age, you should be filled with youthful vigor, not burdened with such insight into human nature and a talent for court strategy.’

’Because that path is simply too exhausting.’

But Ye Jingyan turned to look out the window, only speaking after a long moment.

"But when that heavy snow fell three years ago, you were only fourteen, Sister."

Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat.

She wanted to say something, but for once, she was at a loss for words.

Ye Jingyan turned back to face her, his gaze direct, his eyes clear and tranquil.

"You always think of me as a child, Sister, and carry every burden yourself. But I don’t want that."

He didn’t want to hide behind her forever, living under her protection and pretending everything was fine.

"The Northwest border is bitterly cold. I wonder how A Feng is faring today."

Even though his letters were filled with a carefree spirit, how could life be easy in such a remote and arduous place?

Besides, guarding the border is grueling work, a constant dance with death.

’Knowing A Feng’s personality, if he were injured, he wouldn’t utter a single word of pain to anyone. He’d just swallow it all.’

"You told me to study at the Imperial College, so I went. After we returned to the capital, you never spoke to me of the many dangers. I know you were trying to protect me. That day, you didn’t even let me enter the Xie Family’s home with you."

Ye Chutang let out a soft sigh.

’I truly never imagined Yan would be bothered by all this.’

After deliberating for a long while, Ye Chutang finally spoke.

"The politics in the capital are treacherous and unpredictable. A single word, a single thought, can lead to a point of no return. That’s what happened to Father all those years ago—"

"I am not Father."

Ye Jingyan shook his head, his tone insistent.

"Sister, do you trust me?"

Ye Chutang’s fingertips toyed with a white stone, its surface smooth and cool to the touch.

"About what?"

Ye Jingyan looked at her and said, enunciating each word,

"Trust that even if the path ahead is difficult and long, I will forge my own way."

The youth’s voice still held a hint of its characteristic rasp, but it was utterly resolute.

Ye Chutang understood. He had already decided which path he would walk.

After a long silence, Ye Chutang placed a stone on the board.

"The Wazhen Mission is signing the peace treaty today."

Ye Jingyan was startled for a moment, then he understood—’Sister is willing to discuss matters of the court with me!’

This confirmed his suspicions.

After all this time, his theories were finally being validated.

"The two sides were at a stalemate before, but now they’ve suddenly agreed. Could it be..."

He paused, his voice dropping slightly.

"Is this change related to Xie Pei’s death?"

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