Chapter 77: Astonishing News of a Distinguished Visitor

After seeing off Sir Zheng and Zhong Wei, Ye Chang turned around and found Ye Si and Madam Lu had come out again. He shook his head with a wry smile. “How did it come to this?”

He spoke only those four words, uttering no blame, but they stung Ye Si’s ears, making his old face burn with embarrassment.

“That Zheng fellow was clearly extorting us!” Madam Lu said angrily. “At first, he said those gold and silver pieces were a token of thanks, so we accepted them… What an ungrateful man, and he claims to come from a noble family! We raised Xiang’er for four years, all for nothing. This girl Xiang’er is so ignorant; even if one raised a dog for four years, it would at least wag its tail for its master…”

Ye Dan sensed something was amiss. He did not believe the words of Ye Si and Madam Lu. In his view, even if it had been a gift, offering half that gold and silver would have been extravagant. Yet, this was the business of the third branch, and since discovering Ye Chang’s talents, Ye Dan had little interest in meddling in their affairs.

Just then, Lady Fang spoke calmly, “Sister-in-law, you are mistaken. It was not you who raised Xiang’er for four years—it was Eleventh Brother.”

“What do you mean by that?” Madam Lu’s brows shot up.

“Before Ye Lang passed away, he told me that his greatest regret was passing Eleventh Brother to the third branch. He wished for Eleventh Brother to return to his original line, and he spoke about this to the clan leader. He could not refuse Third Uncle at the time, nor did he know that Third Uncle had already married and had Little Nineteen. So he agreed. In these four years that Eleventh Brother has been with the third branch, how many times has Third Uncle even seen him?”

Lady Fang posed this sharp question and, without waiting for Ye Si’s reply, continued, “The main branch plotted for the third branch’s property. Ye Lang wrote to Third Uncle, asking him to return and take charge, but Third Uncle neither came nor sent a reply. It was Eleventh Brother who racked his brains and managed to protect the third branch’s estate. Eleventh Brother has done no wrong to the third branch, yet the third branch has neglected him for four years. Though Ye Lang is gone, as his sister-in-law, I must speak for Eleventh Brother!”

She was the daughter of a princess, born to nobility; her words were not only sharp but forceful, leaving Ye Si and Madam Lu speechless for a long while.

“Even so, it’s our third branch’s business. What has it to do with you? Today you air our family affairs outside—what are your intentions? Are you trying to ruin the Ye family’s reputation so you can marry into a more prestigious house?” Madam Lu, after pausing a moment, countered, showing herself equally sharp-tongued by tossing an accusation at Lady Fang.

Lady Fang sneered. “Family shame should not be spread, but you have gone too far! You deceived Ye Lang and Eleventh Brother, claiming you had no sons, yet you brought Eleventh Brother over as an adopted son. You two are elders—what were your motives? As a junior, I shouldn’t speculate. But today, with the clan leader present, I ask him to judge: does the adoption stand or not?”

Ye Dan could only smile bitterly. When Ye Si came back with his wife and son—especially when the boy was already five or six years old—he knew there must have been something hidden about the original adoption, and it would surface sooner or later. He had expected Ye Chang himself to break the silence, but did not foresee that it would be the always “gentle and meek” Lady Fang who would take the lead this time.

He was well aware of the gossip in the village about Lady Fang—this was all the work of Ye Si and Madam Lu, scheming to divide Ye Chang and Lady Fang. He had once privately thought that their tricks would be wasted on Ye Chang.

“Ahem… I found it odd myself at the time. Ye Dan, you had already married and had children outside, so why did you take Eleventh Brother as your son?” the clan leader asked.

“Er… The second branch was in dire straits then, and I wanted to help, so I took Eleventh Brother as my son…” Ye Si was well prepared for this question and answered smoothly, his expression unchanged.

But everyone knew such words could only fool ghosts.

If one pitied the second branch’s poverty, there were plenty of ways to help. Why adopt a son from the second branch? Lady Fang could not help but laugh, and Ye Chang himself shook his head.

Ye Dan’s greatest headache was dealing with such disputes. He steadied himself, “This concerns Eleventh Brother himself, and he has his own opinions. Why not hear what Eleventh Brother has to say?”

“Eleventh Brother is only seventeen, not yet of age, his mind unsettled and easily swayed. A few words of persuasion and he might act rashly…” Madam Lu protested. “Now that my husband is here, he is the father; Eleventh Brother is the son. A son must obey his father, that is filial piety. To disobey is rebellion—Eleventh Brother should follow my husband’s will.”

“We cannot treat Eleventh Brother as an ordinary youth. Let us hear his thoughts,” Ye Dan insisted.

Ye Chang was about to speak, but Ye Si interjected, “Clan leader, this is the third branch’s family matter. We will discuss it in detail; whether the main branch or the second branch, it is best not to interfere.”

“Eleventh Brother is Ye Lang’s full brother. It is not merely the third branch’s affair,” Lady Fang disagreed. “The clan leader is right. Let us hear Eleventh Brother.”

“Enough. Let Eleventh Brother speak,” Ye Dan said, exerting his authority as clan leader when he saw Ye Si and Madam Lu still intent on arguing.

Ye Chang sighed. “I did not want to speak. During my time in Chang’an, I made the acquaintance of some noble men. Recently, a gentleman named He Zhizhang, a guest of the Crown Prince, sent a letter to me through my friend Jiao Sui.”

“Guest of the Crown Prince?” Though none knew the exact rank, it must be impressive. Ye Dan’s eyes lit up, and even Ye Si, who had seen the world, knew such a post was reserved for eminent men of virtue.

“Besides Mr. He, the Prefect of Jingzhao, Han Chaozong, also wrote to me. Both are men I met in Chang’an, who, graciously, treat me as a friend despite our age gap,” Ye Chang continued, spinning his tale. Ye Dan knew about Jiao Sui’s visit but had not realized such distinguished men were involved.

Ye Dan’s heart burned. For years, the Ye clan had suffered under the Liu family because the Lius had produced notable figures who forged ties with officials. Now, Ye Chang too had connections with powerful men!

“Eleventh Brother, tell us how you made their acquaintance!” Ye Dan could not help but veer off topic.

Ye Si and Madam Zheng exchanged a glance, both filled with doubt. If Ye Chang truly knew such men, things would take a dire turn.

Ye Si admonished, “Young people love to boast, but do not lie before the clan leader. Mind your words.”

“Eleventh Brother’s friendship with the county steward is known to all in Wu Zepei. If he can befriend the steward, why not others?” Lady Fang interjected.

Ye Chang himself dared not say such things, for to speak them would be to openly defy Ye Si, who might seize the chance to attack him. While Ye Chang was not afraid, it would not be a good reputation, and if Ye Si used it as grounds to report him to the authorities, it would be even more troublesome.

Thus, seeing Lady Fang leave Ye Si speechless, Ye Chang felt a hint of satisfaction. He coughed and began recounting his journey to Chang’an, relating the relevant parts to those present. As he spoke of offering tea to He Zhizhang and advice to Han Chaozong, earning their favor, Ye Dan could not help but stamp his foot repeatedly. “Since you have the attention of noble men, why return? You should remain in Chang’an and await your chance!”

“Eleventh Brother’s bond with Ye Lang is deep. If he did not accompany Ye Lang’s coffin home, he would feel uneasy. Even in Chang’an, he could not settle his affairs,” Lady Fang shook her head. “Besides, the court is turbulent; Eleventh Brother is a man of temperament and would find it hard to stay long. Better to return when matters are settled.”

“Woman’s opinion!” Ye Dan snorted.

Seeing the conversation drifting far afield, Ye Chang coughed again. Lady Fang’s bright eyes flickered, and she gave him a half-smiling glance.

“Ah, old trees have many roots, old people many words. I forgot the main point… Eleventh Brother, what do your noble friends have to do with today’s matter?”

“In their letters, both Mr. He and Mr. Han urged me not to forget my ancestors. They advised me to return to my original branch,” said Ye Chang. “Both said I have my own parents, so why acknowledge another as father…”

He did not spell out his intention, but the meaning was clear.

Madam Lu erupted in fury, her anger nearly bursting forth. “This is our family matter. No matter how powerful they are, what can they do? Even the emperor and prime minister cannot meddle in our affairs. Eleventh Brother, you are our adopted son—how is that forgetting your ancestors? Your birth father and adoptive father are not brothers, but both belong to the same family, sharing the same grandfather. The third branch may not have given you birth, but we raised you. Do you mean to be an ungrateful, unfilial person? I want to see where the world would accept such a person!”

Her outburst made Ye Chang even more displeased. Previously, Madam Lu had acted gentle and refined; now her true colors were revealed! Yet her words left Ye Chang unable to argue directly, so he looked to Ye Dan.

Ye Dan was still thinking about Ye Chang’s favor with He Zhizhang and Han Chaozong.

For Ye Dan, whose greatest acquaintance was the county magistrate, those two were towering figures. Their favor was not just Ye Chang’s fortune, but a blessing for the whole Ye clan. He even thought they should offer sacrifices to the ancestors in thanks.

He straightened, adopting a solemn air as clan leader. “Woman’s opinion!”

He had spoken gently to Lady Fang earlier; now, addressing Madam Lu, his tone was harsh and urgent.

“Ye Si, Eleventh Brother has won the favor of noble men. Whether for our clan or his future, it is right for him to return to his branch. In my view, let all be well and part peacefully. What do you say?”

“Eleventh Brother claims to have the favor of noble men. Where is the proof? I doubt that those men would bother with our family matters,” Ye Si shook his head. “Eleventh Brother is young and easily swayed. Perhaps he has been misled.”

Ye Chang had not expected that even after invoking He Zhizhang and Han Chaozong, Ye Si and Madam Lu would be so persistent. He had underestimated how tightly they held on, especially after his mention of tea and cement, which had stirred their hopes.

Eleventh Brother was a money tree; as long as he was their son in name, they would not let him slip away! Even if the melon was not sweet when forcibly twisted, at least it remained in their field, not in someone else’s!

“Clan leader, I will have someone bring the letters from Mr. He and Mr. Han,” Ye Chang said.

Ye Dan was also displeased. In such circumstances, Ye Si still would not let go, showing a lack of sense. He nodded, about to speak, when Madam Lu shouted, “None of us know Mr. He or Mr. Han. What’s to stop you from finding any random person to write two letters and claim they’re from those men?”

Ye Chang’s expression darkened as he stared at Madam Lu. “Do you mean I am a liar?”

“Of course you are not, but you might have been deceived,” Madam Lu replied awkwardly. Even at this stage, she dared not confront Ye Chang directly. “Don’t misunderstand, I only worry that you are young. I hear there are many swindlers in Chang’an…”

If she had thrown a tantrum, Ye Chang could have dealt with her easily, but now she was feigning innocence, and Ye Chang felt headache. He looked to Ye Dan for guidance, and Ye Dan almost without hesitation sided with him. “I trust Eleventh Brother. He is clever, not a shallow woman, and how could he be fooled by petty thieves? Eleventh Brother, did Mr. He and Mr. Han really advise you to return to your branch?”

“Yes.”

“If two noble men say so, then this adopted son status must hinder your prospects. This is not just your own matter, but one for the Ye clan as a whole. Ye Dan, I will make a decision today…”

“Clan leader, you may witness, but to decide… When has the third branch needed the clan leader to decide its affairs?” Ye Si shook his head repeatedly. “Those noble men are far away in Chang’an. Even if they stood before me, they could not meddle in my affairs. If they truly come to my face, I will question them: why do they seek to divide father and son, and urge Eleventh Brother to break the bonds of kinship?”

Before Ye Dan could reply, Ye Si coldly added, “If you, uncle, use your authority as clan leader to force me, then I will go to the county magistrate myself. I do not believe anyone could force a father and son to part!”

Faced with such stubbornness from Ye Si and Madam Lu, Ye Chang was truly angry, even considering whether to tear off all pretense, regardless of earning the reputation of defiance. But just then, urgent knocks rang out at the gate, followed by a shout, “Sir Ye, is Eleventh Brother here?”

They were discussing in the courtyard, with the gate shut to prevent outsiders from overhearing. The voice was familiar—it was Zhong Wei, who had left earlier. After a brief silence, Ye Chang signaled to Xiang’er, who ran to open the gate.

Zhong Wei entered with a broad smile. “Sir Ye, congratulations! You have a distinguished guest—former Crown Prince’s guest He Zhizhang has come to visit!”

All those present in the courtyard gaped in astonishment, none more so than Ye Chang himself.