Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

Chapter 726 Treating It Like Home (Fourth Update)

However, Xiao Wu had no idea what he was thinking at that moment, and simply nodded happily in agreement.

—Okay, okay!
She happily stretched out her hand to gesture.

Xie Anbai couldn't understand, so he could only ask Ye Chutang, "What's wrong with Xiao Wu...?"

Ye Chutang smiled and said, "Xiao Wu said that she will definitely choose more and better gifts to send to Young Master Xie's house in the future."

Xie Anbai was taken aback.

Xiao Wu, of course, had no idea what had happened, but she was delighted when Xie Anbai said he would take the gift she gave him home to cherish.

Wherever Xie Anbai goes, isn't that his home?

That's just how she is.

Wherever her older sister is, that's where her home is.

Xie Anbai paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Okay! Xiao Wu is welcome to come see me anytime he wants!"

He carefully put the fan away and said goodbye to Ye Chutang and Xiao Wu.

"It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer."

Ye Chutang understood that with Xie Anjun and Xiao Jiayi dead, the entire Xie family would be in chaos, and there would definitely be many things waiting for Xie Anbai to handle. So she didn't say much and just nodded slightly.

"I hope everything goes well for Young Master Xie."

Xie Anbai slowly tightened his grip on the fan, nodding gently but firmly.

"Thank you."

……

Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu home, changed her clothes, had a simple meal, and then went back to her study to read.

Her visits to the palace were no different from before, as if today was just a routine medical appointment.

However, what happened in the palace could not be kept secret. Of course, Emperor Muwu may not have intended to hide it in the first place.

It spread rapidly in just one afternoon!

At the same time, Emperor Muwu ordered people to begin investigating those involved in the matter.

Within just a few hours, more than a dozen officials in the capital were arrested.

Everyone knows something terrible has happened!
When those officials were arrested, some were in restaurants, some were at home, and some were even on the street.

The Imperial Guards gave them no chance to defend themselves, and simply arrested them and imprisoned them all.

After the initial panic and confusion, everyone finally realized that these people had more or less contact with Xie Anjun, Fan Chengzhuo and others.

The Xie family collapsed overnight.

The secret relationship between Fan Chengzhuo and Zheng Baosu also became a topic of conversation for many people.

Ye Jingyan returned in the evening.

"Sister, it seems something has happened in the capital?"

Upon entering the house, Ye Jingyan immediately inquired.

Ye Chutang was reading a travelogue when she heard this and looked up. "Really?"

Ye Jingyan took off his coat, sat down to the side, and looked at Ye Chutang's face.

"I already know that my elder sister went to the palace today."

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "So you're back?"

Today is not a holiday.

Seeing her reaction, Ye Jingyan thought to himself, "Just as I expected."

"It seems that my sister is aware of all the news outside."

Despite being confined to this small space, the elder sister always seemed to know everything immediately, controlling everything invisibly.

Ye Chutang neither confirmed nor denied, and briefly recounted what had happened that morning.

"...That's about it. His Majesty is furious, so naturally someone will suffer."

Although Ye Jingyan had heard some rumors beforehand, he was still taken aback when he learned the specifics, and it took him a while to recover.

"So that's how it is... No wonder His Majesty still resorted to such swift and decisive measures at such a critical juncture."

It was March, and the imperial examinations were just around the corner, drawing countless students to the capital.

If this matter could have been suppressed, it wouldn't have blown up at this time.

Emperor Mu Wu was clearly furious.

Ye Chutang said, "Precisely because it is at this time, we must not allow any major trouble to occur."

Ye Jingyan seemed to be deep in thought.

Ye Chutang added, "It's good that you're back. I'm afraid things won't be peaceful in the capital for the foreseeable future. Even the Imperial Academy may not be a safe haven."

Fan Chengzhuo rose to the rank of third-grade official and served as Minister of Justice, while Xie Anjun inherited the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor and had deep connections within the military. The combined influence of these two, and their communication with Vajji, would be immeasurable.

Just how many henchmen and cronies do they have throughout the court?

If a thorough investigation isn't conducted, I'm afraid Emperor Muwu won't even be able to sleep well.

Ye Jingyan frowned slightly. "This matter has caused quite a stir. I wonder if some students might act impulsively in the future..."

"Will not."

Ye Chutang shook her head.

“Young people are indeed easily guided and manipulated, but His Majesty is determined this time and will never allow such a thing to happen.”

Ye Jingyan thought about it and felt that what she said made sense, so she felt relieved.

Although he was not participating in this year's imperial examination, many of his classmates and friends were eager to try, pinning their future hopes on it.

If anything goes wrong, I'm afraid I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

Ye Chutang said, "In addition, people from the Southern Hu will be arriving soon. This period will actually be the safest time in the capital."

Hearing her bring this up, Ye Jingyan also became somewhat curious.

"Does elder sister know who the Southern Hu will send to the capital this time?"

Ye Chutang clicked her tongue lightly, "Do you really think your older sister knows everything?"

Ye Jingyan was also somewhat surprised, "Doesn't my elder sister know?"

Ye Chutang: "..."

She lay back in the wicker chair, one hand covering her face with a book.

"...Besides the important officials of Nanhu, Shui Xingqiu will also be coming."

"Shui Xingqiu?"

Ye Jingyan murmured the name.

"The head of the Nanhu Shui family? What brings him here?"

Ye Chutang explained, "He is Tuoba Yu's teacher. Tuoba Yu's risky actions this time are not unrelated to him, so now that Tuoba Yu is trapped, he has no choice but to come."

"I see……"

Just as Ye Jingyan was about to ask more questions, a maidservant rushed in to report.

"Second Miss, Fourth Young Master is back!"

Seeing the little maid's barely concealed excitement, Ye Jingyan was somewhat surprised.

"Why is Ah Feng back at this time?"

He had previously said that although he had returned to the capital, he still had to abide by the rules of the army and could not go home often.

"You didn't even tell me beforehand?"

The maidservant beamed with joy and quickly explained, "Besides the Fourth Young Master, we also have distinguished guests!"

"Dignified guest?"

They are now considered quite well-off in the capital. The maids and servants in their household have seen many nobles, but there are probably very few who can elicit such a reaction from them.

Especially at this hour, who could be coming?

Ye Chutang took the book away, glanced outside, and seemed to be deep in thought.

"Has Princess Qinyang arrived?"

The maidservant laughed, "Not only that! Prince Yannan is here too! Prince Yannan and Princess Qinyang have come together!"

It was these two?
Ye Jingyan was taken aback, then realized what was happening and turned to look at Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang blinked.

"This kid really knows how to surprise us with this, pulling off something like this without even giving us a heads-up."

She immediately instructed the maid to prepare a feast, and then looked at Ye Jingyan.

"What a coincidence, everyone's here today."

Looking at her composed demeanor, Ye Jingyan felt that something was amiss.

Sister, it seems like you've been preparing for their arrival for a long time.
Just as she was thinking, Ye Chutang raised her chin.

"Xiao Wu is writing in the study. Go call her and tell her that A Feng is back."

……

lobby.

Princess Qinyang greeted her father warmly as soon as she entered.
"Father, please sit down! This place feels just like our own home, so there's no need to be shy! Chu Tang has quite a few fine wines stored here, Father, which one would you like to drink?"

She spoke with great interest, as if recounting a familiar story.

"The snow-drinking experience at Yunlai Tavern is absolutely amazing! But since we've come all this way, let's try something we can't find elsewhere?"

As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Yunfeng, who hadn't uttered a single word since entering, and assumed he was being considerate of the Prince of Yannan, so she immediately spoke up.
"Ah Feng, don't be shy! This is a family dinner today, so make yourself at home!"