Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Jiang Song
Ye Yu choked.
The Song family was not as good as the Ye family before, but in recent years, the Song family, the maternal family of the Song family, has definitely surpassed the Ye family. Moreover, there has been a public opinion storm, so the old master Ye dared not make any small moves. Therefore, Ye Yu still manages the entire Ye family in the name of his stepson.
Grandpa Ye is too old to be involved in anything anymore.
Bringing him out now to play the victim for Ye Yun is completely useless.
Ye Yu really didn't expect that Ye Yun would show him so little respect in front of Ye Jianshan.
He even brought his son, Ye Yang, along, which was truly shameful.
Ye Yun said he was going to see the guest off, but Ye Yu, thick-skinned as ever, said directly to Ye Jianshan, "So this is Jianshan. He is indeed a handsome and dignified man, and he even won the top prize. Your uncle doesn't have anything to offer, so I've prepared some things for you as a gift. Don't blame your uncle for not visiting you for so long. I only found out these past few days that you came to the capital alone. Your mother is heartless; she didn't even tell the family and just let you live alone outside."
Since he had said that, Ye Jianshan nodded politely, but did not intend to accept the gift: "Lord Ye, you are too kind. Jianshan is so grown up and can take care of himself. Besides, my third uncle is with me."
He did not follow Ye Yu's suggestion to call him uncle, but instead politely addressed him as Lord Ye.
"Oh, I see. Your mother may not have introduced me to you. I am your mother's older brother, the blood brother. Your maternal grandfather misses you very much. I don't know when he will have time, but I will bring him to see you in person. By the way, this is Ye Yang, my son, your cousin. You two are about the same age, so it's a good opportunity for you to get to know each other."
Ye Yang felt somewhat intimidated when facing Ye Jianshan. This man spoke with a certain imposing manner, which made people feel quite uncomfortable.
His father already calls himself his uncle, but this person still calls him Lord Ye.
Even if the Ye family isn't the best, they're still better than those Ye families from the countryside.
"Brother Ye, I am Ye Yang."
But when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head; Ye Jianshan's shrewdness is obvious.
Ye Yang obediently greeted people.
Ye Jianshan nodded but did not respond. He felt nothing about Ye Yu's constant use of "dear uncle" and "dear maternal grandfather".
He turned to his mother and said, "Mother, didn't you have something to tell me?"
That's not true; it was just another way of seeing the guests off.
Ye Yun followed up, saying, "Yes, Lord Ye, you should go back first. Don't bother us if you need anything. So many years have passed, let's not disturb each other."
Having lived a peaceful life in the countryside for a long time, Ye Yun now has a very Zen-like mentality. As for the Ye family, he just lets it go; what's past is past.
Ever since she found out that her father had been keeping someone else outside the marriage and then marrying that person after her mother died, she has never treated him as her father.
The selection of her was a last resort, because as the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, she was on the list, and the Ye family would not dare to stop her from entering the palace.
She thought she would be eliminated, but unexpectedly she met the Crown Prince.
She became the winner.
After that, the Ye family never had a good day again.
Everyone who saw her had to bow and call her "Princess Consort," and later they had to perform a grand salute and call her "Crown Princess Consort."
Ye Yu hadn't even gotten a promise, so how could he be willing to leave like this?
He said to Ye Jianshan somewhat anxiously, "Jianshan, we have some misunderstandings with your mother, but the Ye family really wants to support you. You have no one to rely on in the capital, and those few Ye family members are ignorant. If you need anything, just go to your uncle, and your uncle will make sure to take care of it for you."
Ye Jianshan frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "What do you mean by that, Lord Ye? Although I am alone and helpless in the capital, I am a top scholar in the imperial examination, and no one has laid a hand on me. Besides, I don't need to do anything. By the way, Mother, His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince will be coming to eat hot pot together later. Can you teach me how to make a new soup base? Lord Ye, we have other things to attend to, so we won't keep you company."
Ye Jianshan was too lazy to pay any attention to Ye Yu. After all these years, hadn't he realized his own worth?
Even without the status of being the crown prince's biological son, he was still the most prominent among the candidates. Everyone was hoping that he would achieve the highest score in the imperial examination. At this point, who would dare to touch him?
After being repeatedly seen off, Ye Yu's expression darkened. Ye Yun must have said something to his nephew, but continuing to argue now would seem unreasonable.
Ye Yang advised, "Father, let's go back first. Aunt and Brother Ye are busy today. We'll visit another day."
Ye Yang offered a way out, and Ye Yu casually replied, "Okay, then come another day. You guys are busy."
"Oh, right, we're leaving now, but you must take these things with you. Yang'er, let's go."
Ye Yu tossed aside the gifts he had brought and strode away with Ye Yang, his backs still radiating anger.
Ye Yang nodded to Ye Yun and Ye Jianshan, then followed his father away.
After the person left, Ye Jianshan said to Ye Yun, "This Ye Yang is young, but he knows how to get along with people."
Ye Yu is so old, yet he's the one who can't keep his composure.
Ye Yun didn't want to mention the Ye family anymore, and said to Ye Jianshan, "The Song family might have some people coming in the next couple of days. Try to meet them when you have some free time between your studies."
Coming to the capital city means having a lot of social engagements.
Ye Yun's feelings for the Song family were so-so. After her mother died, the Song family came to make a scene, wanting to demand an explanation for Song Shi. In the end, they took some money and left. However, her aunt treated her very well. Her aunt personally came to the Song family to find someone to teach her some etiquette for entering the palace.
Ye Jianshan nodded: "Okay."
What did His Majesty say today?
Ye Yun asked.
Ye Jianshan recounted what had happened at the Crown Prince's residence that day, and Ye Yun nodded.
"Just focus on your own work and pass the palace examination first. The emperor definitely won't recognize you as his grandson before the palace examination; at the very least, he'll wait until you become the top scholar."
The Emperor didn't mention acknowledging kinship when he visited yesterday, which means he has his own plans.
The most likely timeframe is after the palace examination.
"Yes, son guessed it. He will be preparing for the palace examination seriously these days."
"Your mother trusts you."
After they finished talking, they went to the kitchen to get busy. Before evening, people from the palace arrived, and everyone gathered together.
Ye Yun stayed for only a short while, as usual, and the Crown Prince couldn't find an opportunity to speak with her. Meanwhile, Ye Jianshan was surrounded by the Emperor and Empress, so he couldn't get a word in edgewise.
The next day, when Ye Jianshan opened his eyes, someone came to call him and said that someone from the Song family had come. Ye Jianshan went out to meet the person, said hello, and was then sent back to continue his studies by his mother.
The day of the palace examination arrived quickly.
The entire capital city eagerly awaited the results, never having seen such a low-key spring imperial examination.
No one celebrated their success in the imperial examination; they all stayed home and studied diligently.
"I haven't seen what this year's top scholar looks like yet. Are you really not coming out?"
"Yes, they usually start advertising around this time..."
"But it's already famous this year even without promotion, it's xxx..."
The person mouthed something.
Everyone tacitly shut up and nodded.
That's right. With Ye Jianshan above them keeping things under control, the other candidates wouldn't dare to make any small moves or publicize it.
"The palace examination is about to begin. Who are you planning to bet on?"
"Someone asked curiously."
"Did you just return to Beijing?"
"What's wrong? They came to Beijing yesterday; they were in other places before that."
"No wonder, who else could they bet on besides Ye Huiyuan?"
"Exactly, nothing's worth watching anymore."
"How is it not interesting? After the palace examination, the top scholar will parade through the streets. Believe me or not, the streets will be deserted as everyone comes out to see Ye Huiyuan."
"Stop talking, the spots on both sides of the street where the parade is held are almost all booked."
"My wife made a reservation a long time ago, so we won't have to squeeze with other people downstairs."
"By the way, isn't Ye Huiyuan still unmarried?"
"No, the Crown Princess didn't bring many people with her when she returned to the capital. I haven't heard of her having a fiancée."
"I wonder which noble lady will be able to marry Ye Huiyuan..."
"This is none of our business."
"Yeah, I just want to see what's going on."
On the day of the palace examination, Ye Yun smiled as she helped Ye Jianshan tidy up his clothes for the exam.
Ye Jianshan was a little puzzled. Why was his mother so happy?
"Mom, please stop laughing, it's scaring me."
He was quite calm; it was just an exam, so why was his mother laughing so happily?
Ye Yun rolled her eyes at him. How could this kid talk like that?
Ye Yun: "Do you still remember Master Zhang?"
"Master Zhang Guang from the prefectural school?"
Ye Jianshan studied under Master Zhang during his year at the prefectural school.
"Yes, he sent me a letter a while ago. Although he didn't know what I was doing in Beijing, he asked me to go and see Jiang Song at the Jiang family."
Ye Jianshan's lips twitched: "Why is she in the capital too?"
Ye Jianshan was embarrassed when his mother mentioned this person. He still remembered the scene when he first met her. Because of a misunderstanding, she almost pulled down his pants.
"Her father is Minister Jiang, you should have met him."
Da Shan had previously mentioned that the Emperor had brought important officials to see him, and these must have included the six ministers of the court.
Ye Jianshan thought of a lean old man and nodded: "Her father is a minister, so why is she living in Qingyang?"
Men and women should not touch each other. Every time Ye Jianshan went to see Master Zhang and encountered Jiang Song, he would walk away without looking back.
There was no way around it; this girl was too enthusiastic and bold, and Ye Jianshan, who was used to being calm and collected, simply couldn't handle her.
He knew he was famous in Qingyang. Ever since he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, many people had come to propose marriage. Even the prefect of Qingyang sent a matchmaker to propose marriage, but his mother refused them all.
Only Jiang Song boldly and passionately expressed her affection for him.
But ever since he passed the imperial examination and went to the capital, he hasn't been to the prefectural city, let alone seen Jiang Song again.
"I just found out too. I didn't expect Master Zhang to have such a powerful relative. Let me inquire about it first. With so many people watching, I can't just bring Jiang Song over directly..."
Ye Yun sighed. Returning to the capital meant losing his freedom.
She really liked Jiang Song; he was bold and passionate, and very endearing.
"Then let's go see Sister Jiang."
Ye Jianshan thought for a moment and realized that Jiang Song was also from the capital. He had only known that Jiang Song called Master Zhang "uncle" before, and thought she was from Qingyang.
Ye Jianshan suddenly felt unhappy. They had met so many times, but Jiang Song had never mentioned this to him.
Moreover, his brow twitched uncontrollably; he had a feeling that Jiang Song's return to Beijing wasn't for anything good.
Ye Yun saw Ye Jianshan off to the carriage, saying, "Mother knows."
After he finished speaking, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the Crown Prince was already sitting inside.
"What a coincidence. If Ye Huiyuan doesn't mind traveling with me, then so be it. We're going to the palace anyway."
Ye Yun and Ye Jianshan: ...
What a coincidence! This is the Ye family's carriage.
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Author's Note: First update is here, second update will be later.
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