Chapter 23 Big Brother is Back
At this moment, the steward Wang Quan hurried over with a smile on his face: "Your Highness, news has come from the General's Mansion that the eldest young master will be able to arrive in the capital to report on his duties at the beginning of next month!"
"Big brother is coming back?!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Xunyang was overjoyed. His elder brother had been stationed on the frontier for many years, and he hadn't seen him for eight years since he returned to the capital with his parents when he was ten.
He turned to Lou Jin excitedly, his eyes sparkling: "Your Highness! My elder brother is coming back! He is the best marksman in our Ye family. When he returns, I will introduce you to him."
Seeing his undisguised joy, Lou Jin couldn't help but feel infected by it and nodded slightly: "Yes, I have also heard of General Ye's reputation. We can hold a banquet in the manor to welcome your brother."
"Very good!"
Time flew by, and as the date drew closer, Ye Xunyang's mood improved, and the atmosphere in the Prince's mansion also rose.
But with ten days left, Ye Xunyang suddenly received a message from his mother from the General's Mansion.
Someone impeached General Ye during the morning court session today for abusing his power on the border and for unclear military accounts. Although the emperor temporarily suppressed the accusation, rumors have already begun to circulate.
Although the Ye family has deep roots, it is easy to dodge open attacks but difficult to guard against hidden ones. They are especially worried that this will affect Ye Xunjin, who is about to return to Beijing to report on his work.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xunyang immediately became anxious.
He is straightforward and hates such underhanded tactics as stabbing someone in the back, especially when it's directed at his family.
He paced back and forth in the room, at a loss for what to do. He was in a state of utter confusion, his face filled with worry and anger.
"What should we do... Your Highness, it must have been Lou Shang who did it. He's definitely targeting me! Knowing that my elder brother is coming back, he wants to start by taking down the Ye family."
Ye Xunyang rushed into the study, disregarding etiquette, and spoke urgently to Lou Jin, his eyes reddening.
Lou Jin put down the book in his hand, looked at his bewildered appearance, and understood.
He already knew about this through his own channels, and even had more detailed information than Ye Xunyang.
He gestured for Ye Xunyang to sit down and poured him a glass of water.
"What's the panic?" Lou Jin's voice remained calm, carrying a power that could soothe people's hearts.
"The Ye family is a powerful and deeply rooted family; how could such a small move shake them? Lou Shang's actions are nothing more than a cornered dog trying to disturb your mind and test my reaction."
"But...my father and my brother..."
Ye Xunyang gripped the water glass, his knuckles turning white from the force.
“My father-in-law is a veteran of many battles; what storms haven’t he weathered? As for General Xun Jin…”
"His achievements during his return to the capital are undeniable. As long as His Majesty's favor remains intact, a few rumors and gossips cannot fundamentally harm him."
That being said, Lou Jin knew that he couldn't let these sordid things continue to fester, otherwise things might get complicated.
He looked at Ye Xunyang and asked, "What do you want?"
Ye Xunyang raised his head, his eyes defiant: "I want to protect my family! But I... I don't know what to do..."
"Leave this matter to me," Lou Jin said calmly, his tone carrying an unquestionable resolve.
Ye Xunyang was taken aback: "Your Highness?"
Lou Jin didn't explain further, but simply summoned Shan Lan and whispered a few instructions.
Shan Lan obeyed the order and quickly disappeared.
In the following days, the political climate in the court quietly shifted.
First, several respected senior officials jointly submitted a memorial, strongly arguing that General Ye's service in guarding the border was a great contribution to the country, refuting the unfounded claims, and providing conclusive evidence to prove that the military supply accounts were clear and accurate.
Immediately afterwards, the Censorate suddenly received an anonymous tip revealing that a vice minister in the Ministry of War, who had close ties with the Prince of Shang, had embezzled funds in the procurement of military equipment. The evidence was conclusive, which enraged the Emperor, who ordered a thorough investigation.
Suddenly, the Entropy King's attention was drawn to his own troubles, leaving him unable to attend to anything else, and he had to temporarily halt his actions against the Ye family.
Although Ye Xunyang was not quite clear about what exactly had happened, he could feel that the tense atmosphere at home had eased, and the message from his mother was also very comforting.
He vaguely guessed that Lou Jin had made the move.
That night, he brought a late-night snack to the study and looked at Lou Jin, who was still working on documents under the lamp. He felt grateful and a sense of peace that was hard to describe.
He put down the food box, walked to Lou Jin's side, and thanked him somewhat embarrassedly: "Your Highness... thank you for my family's matter."
Lou Jin looked up and saw Ye Xunyang's slightly reddened ears. He reached out and gently squeezed Ye Xunyang's wrist, feeling its warmth.
There's no need for thanks between us.
“Those are not only your family, but also my family.”
Ye Xunyang felt a burning sensation where his wrist was being gripped, and his heart skipped a beat.
A few days after the incident, Ye Xunjin arrived in Beijing as scheduled.
The day after settling military affairs, he brought a handsome young man with a somewhat dashing and dissolute air to the Jinwang Mansion.
This person was Shen Yelan, Ye Xunyang's childhood friend. His father was a deputy general under General Ye.
"Big brother! It's night!"
Ye Xunyang had been waiting at the gate of the mansion for a long time. When he saw the two of them, he excitedly went up to them. He first hugged his elder brother Ye Xunjin tightly, and then jokingly punched Shen Yelan's shoulder.
"We've been waiting for you to come back!"
Ye Xunjin is tall with a bronze complexion from years of exposure to the sun and wind. He bears a resemblance to Ye Xunyang in his features, but exudes a more composed and resolute air.
His gaze remained fixed on Lou Jin, who had been pushed out by Ye Xunyang. He bowed respectfully and said, "This humble general, Ye Xunjin, greets Your Highness, King Jin."
Shen Yelan also bowed, his attitude seemingly respectful, but his eyes quickly swept between Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang, with a hint of probing.
"General Ye, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."
Lou Jin sat in his wheelchair, his tone calm.
"Xunyang often mentions the general, and seeing him today, he is indeed exceptionally brave and heroic."
Ye Xunyang quickly introduced, "Your Highness, this is my elder brother Ye Xunjin, and this is my childhood friend Shen Yelan. We grew up together at the border."
He then said to Ye Xunjin and Shen Yelan, "Brother, Yelan, this is His Highness Prince Jin."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lou Jin could sense the scrutiny and caution in Ye Xunjin's eyes.
Although Shen Yelan was all smiles and laughter, Lou Jin had a feeling that his eyes were not quite right.
He had no intention of disturbing Ye Xunyang's enjoyment of reuniting with his close friend, so he spoke gently: "You brothers and friends haven't seen each other for many years, you must have a lot to say. I have some trivial matters to attend to, so please excuse me for now. Xunyang, please entertain General Ye and Young Master Shen well."
After saying this, he gestured to the guards to push him back to the study.
Ye Xunyang, unsuspecting, happily agreed and led Ye Xunjin and Shen Yelan to the flower hall in his courtyard, ordering people to prepare fine wine and food.
Lou Jin returned to his study, but did not actually deal with official business.
He was silent for a moment, then called out softly, "Shanlan."
The dark figure appeared silently.
"Keep an eye on the flower hall and protect the Princess. Report any unusual activity immediately."
Lou Jin's voice was devoid of emotion, but he told himself that this was just out of caution for safety. The eldest brother of the Ye family was certainly reliable, but that Shen Yelan... made him somewhat uneasy.
"Yes." Shan Lan accepted the order and disappeared.
Inside the flower hall, after several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was lively.
Ye Xunjin inquired carefully about Ye Xunyang's life in the Prince's Mansion. He learned that Lou Jin treated him kindly and that everyone in the Prince's Mansion respected him, which put him at ease.
So he got up and pretended to need to relieve himself, but actually went to the Prince's mansion to randomly grab a servant and find out about his younger brother's affairs there.
Shen Yelan, on the other hand, was much more lively, constantly reminiscing with Ye Xunyang about their childhood fun, after Ye Xunjin left.
She casually put her arm around Ye Xunyang's shoulder, and even leaned in close to whisper and laugh, behaving quite intimately.
Ye Xunyang and Shen Yelan had interacted in the same way when they were children, but now that they were both adults, it still made him a little uncomfortable.
All of this was observed by Shan Lan, who was secretly monitoring the situation.
Half an hour later, Ye Xunjin and Shen Yelan took their leave. Ye Xunyang escorted them to the gate of the mansion and made an appointment to meet again next time.
Shan Lan returned to the study, knelt on one knee, and reported in a cold, emotionless voice.
“My lord, General Ye is upright in his words and deeds and cares deeply for the Princess. However, that young master Shen is frivolous and makes many intimate gestures toward the Princess. Although both are men, I find it inappropriate.”
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