Chapter 44 Watching the drama unfold
The atmosphere at lunchtime was more harmonious than I had imagined.
The Ye family didn't have many rules; the table was laden with sumptuous dishes, and everyone sat around it.
Anar was full of curiosity about the food in the Central Plains. She tried every dish with great interest and occasionally asked some innocent and cute questions, which amused Madam Ye.
Although Ye Xunqin was still a little embarrassed, he still explained the names of the dishes and how to eat them to her in a low voice, which showed his thoughtfulness.
While serving food to Lou Jin, Ye Xunyang leaned close to his ear and whispered a plea.
"Your Highness, shall we stay at the manor tonight? I haven't stayed at home in a long time, and... I also want to hear about my second brother and Anar."
Looking at him like this, Lou Jin couldn't bear to refuse.
He also wanted to visit the Ye residence; he had only sat for a short while before. Lou Jin nodded and said gently, "Alright, as you wish. I will send someone back to the residence to inform them."
Ye Xunyang immediately beamed and eagerly placed a piece of his favorite poached chicken on Lou Jin's plate.
After lunch, General Ye and Ye Xunqin obviously had something to talk about, while Madam Ye took Anar to arrange accommodations and asked her what she needed to buy.
Ye Xunyang then pulled Lou Jin along for a stroll around the General's Mansion.
"That's the training ground."
Ye Xunyang pointed to a wide-open space in the distance, his tone filled with nostalgia.
“I used to spend almost every day there, learning martial arts from my father and brother, and sometimes sparring with the guards in the mansion. I got beaten up quite a few times.”
He pushed Lou Jin through the covered walkway and arrived at a courtyard with several tall sycamore trees.
"This is the courtyard where I used to live."
Ye Xunyang pushed open the courtyard gate. The inside was very clean, but the furnishings were simple and full of youthful energy. There were several unsharpened practice swords hanging on the wall, and several military books were casually placed on the desk.
"Isn't it much smaller than the Prince's Mansion? But I think it's very comfortable to live here. I can practice martial arts whenever I want, and climb trees whenever I want."
Lou Jin's gaze slowly swept over every plant and tree in the courtyard, as if he could see a lively and agile young man growing up here.
“Look at that sycamore tree.” Ye Xunyang pointed to the tallest one in the yard, his tone tinged with a hint of pride.
“When I was twelve, I could climb to the top in one go, and my mother was so scared that she screamed. Once, I accidentally knocked down a bird's nest and got a good scolding from my father.”
He then pushed Lou Jin to a small pond in the backyard: "I used to fish for koi here often, and the housekeeper complained about it several times."
"Once I almost caught my dad's favorite red and white koi. Luckily my older brother noticed in time, otherwise my butt would have been in serious trouble."
Ye Xunyang talked on and on about the fun things that happened in his childhood.
Lou Jin listened quietly, a faint smile always on his lips.
"Xunyang," he called softly.
"Hmm?" Ye Xunyang turned around and met his deep eyes.
"It's good to be able to see the place where you grew up." Lou Jin's voice was soft, but it carried an indescribable sense of cherishing.
Ye Xunyang reached out and took Lou Jin's hand, his smile bright and warm.
"Let's go, Your Highness. I'll take you to see my mother's little garden. The wintersweet trees she cultivated should be in full bloom this season..."
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the two figures walking hand in hand, casting long shadows on them.
After dinner, Ye Xunqin wanted to take Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang to the study to see the few trinkets from the Southwest that he had brought back.
As soon as she got up, Anar naturally followed and reached out to take Ye Xunqin's arm.
Ye Xunqin stiffened, his ears turning slightly red. He tried to withdraw his arm discreetly and whispered.
"Anar, I have something to discuss with the Prince and my third brother. Would you like to go to the garden with Madam first?"
Anar blinked her clear, large eyes and shook her head without hesitation.
"No. I'll be wherever Ah Qin is. You guys talk, I promise I won't say a word."
Ye Xunqin looked at his mother helplessly, as if seeking help.
Madam Ye suppressed a smile. She quite liked this girl. Rather than waiting for her son to be betrothed, she might as well try to bring them together.
"Alright, alright. Miss Anar is new here and unfamiliar with the capital. It's good for her to follow Xunqin. You two go and discuss your business. It won't be a problem for her to be by your side."
So, Ye Xunqin walked in the middle, with Ye Xunyang pushing Lou Jin on his left, and Anar, who had a sweet smile and whose eyes never left Ye Xunqin, hanging firmly on his right.
Ye Xunqin tried hard to remain calm, but his slightly flushed neck and somewhat stiff gait betrayed his unease.
Upon arriving at Ye Xunqin's study, he presented Lou Jin with several uniquely carved wooden sculptures and a few pieces of colorful minerals for his appraisal.
Whenever Ye Xunqin began to introduce himself, Anar's gaze would fall intently on his face.
Occasionally, when Ye Xunqin mentions a place or a matter, she can't help but add a comment in a low voice.
"It's beautiful there!"
"Ah Qin was very brave back then!"
The result was a helpless look from Ye Xunqin.
Ye Xunyang watched from the side with a grin that almost reached his ears.
Taking advantage of the moment when Anar was distracted by the things on the bookshelf, he quickly moved closer to Ye Xunqin and asked in a low voice.
"Second brother, tell me the truth! What exactly happened? Why is that girl so fixated on you? What kind of spell did you cast on her?"
Ye Xunqin glared at him irritably, the blush that had just faded from her face starting to reappear, and lowered her voice.
"Stop talking nonsense! I didn't do anything!"
"Nothing was done?"
Ye Xunyang looked unconvinced and nudged him with his elbow.
Ye Xunqin was so embarrassed by him that she pretended to hit him.
Ye Xunyang swiftly hid behind Lou Jin.
"Tell me, Second Brother, how did you meet? Besides saving your life, was there anything else? Like... a hero saving a damsel in distress? Or... you accidentally saw a girl taking a bath?" He got more and more outrageous as he spoke.
"Ye Xunyang!" Ye Xunqin's temple throbbed, and he gritted his teeth.
"If you keep talking nonsense, believe me, I'll tell the Prince right now about how you wet the bed and drew maps when you were a kid!"
Ye Xunyang instantly bristled: "You dare!"
He subconsciously looked at Lou Jin and saw that the other man was looking at him with a half-smile, and his face immediately turned red.
"That's all ancient history, and besides, I'm the Queen Consort of King Jin now! Watch your words!"
While the two brothers were bickering in hushed tones, Anar had already finished her research and quietly returned to Ye Xunqin's side.
She naturally straightened his not-so-messy collar and cuffs, her movements so practiced it seemed she had done it a thousand times.
Ye Xunqin stiffened again, but did not push her away. He simply whispered, "Stop fooling around."
Anar looked up at him, her smile pure and content: "Aqin, you look even better in the clothes from our village."
Ye Xunyang watched in stunned silence.
"Second Brother, the tone you're using doesn't sound like you're talking to a regular friend!"
Ye Xunqin completely gave up on explaining, choosing to ignore his younger brother who loved watching the drama unfold, and turned back to discuss the terrain and tribal distribution of the southwestern border with Lou Jin, trying to bring their attention back to the main topic.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
