WMSG Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Will They Really Connect?

Just as Xue Dong finished speaking, Yan Kui pushed the door open and entered. The Junzhu had no memory of him, and thinking that someone had broken in during the chaos outside, she immediately stood up and shielded Ye Yueshen behind her, angrily scolding, “Where did this thief come from? Xue Dong, capture him!”

Yan Kui was stunned. He was overwhelmed by the Junzhu’s aura and subconsciously took a step back, looking blankly at Ye Yueshen, appearing burly and strong, yet pitifully helpless.

“Mother, he is Yan Kui, he is from His Highness’s side.” Ye Yueshen explained, grabbing the Junzhu’s hand.

With the misunderstanding cleared, everyone busied themselves. Ye Yuanshen went out to instruct the servants to close and lock the doors, while the Junzhu ordered her trusted maids to check the important valuables. Ye Yueshen had nothing to do and became anxious, pacing back and forth behind Ye Lingshen.

When he came to his senses, he was being held by the shoulders by Ye Lingshen, “Don’t be afraid. From Xue Dong’s description, it doesn’t seem like the barbarians have reached the capital. All these days, they’ve only been near Mangzhou. It’s probably a prince’s rebellion. With the Emperor and Qi Wang in charge, no one will succeed.”

Ye Yueshen blankly nodded. The fact that Ye Lingshen was willing to talk to him properly was at least something to be happy about.

Ye Lingshen also had his own affairs to handle. He didn’t mind Ye Yueshen following him. After a while, he turned back and reminded, “Don’t you have any important things to pack up? If the capital really falls into chaos, we will go to the manor outside the city to hide.”

Ye Yueshen still felt it was unreal, “Will it really become chaotic?”

“The capital is prosperous and mixed with all sorts of people. It’s likely that some desperate people will take advantage of the chaos to rob and loot.” Seeing his eyes widen, Ye Lingshen reassured him, “But there’s no need to worry too much, there are many people in our family.”

This time, Ye Yueshen didn’t follow him anymore, turning back to look for Yan Kui, “Where’s Xue Dong?”

“Just now his father called him to settle his mother. Before he left, he instructed this humble one to follow you. He will be back soon.” Yan Kui said, handing Ye Yueshen a dagger, “Young Master Yue, please take this. You can wear it on your waist or tie it to your leg.”

Ye Yueshen took the dagger and held it in his hand, lowering his voice to say to Yan Kui, “I have a little brother who lives in a small residence near the Shi Yue Pavilion. Some time ago, I was tricked away by the Fifth Prince. After I came back, I asked Xue Dong to send him a message, but he didn’t see me safe and sound, so he must be worried. Would it be convenient for you to accompany me to pick him up?”

“Young Master Yue, just tell this humble one what you want to do.” Yan Kui’s eyes were uncertain, and he changed the subject, “But it’s not daytime now, and it’s chaotic outside. Why don’t I go alone?”

“No.” Ye Yueshen refused, “If I don’t go, he might not believe you. I have to go.”

Yan Kui couldn’t persuade him. According to his instructions, they didn’t alarm anyone and quietly jumped over the wall. The streets were indeed in chaos. They didn’t see any private soldiers, but there were many gangs of hooligans taking the opportunity to rob. There were not many pedestrians on the street, and even those who were there were in a hurry.

Ye Yueshen and Yan Kui walked quickly along the base of the wall. Yan Kui explained to him in a low voice, “Ah, those who are still walking on the street now are probably separated from their families and are rushing to find their relatives.”

Ye Yueshen’s nose felt a little sour. He asked Yan Kui, “Do you have any important people to settle? If you do, just go. I can walk quietly alone, and if I encounter hooligans, I can avoid them. I can still pick him up.”

“Young Master Yue doesn’t need to worry about this humble one. This humble one also has an older brother who is also working in the Qi Wang Manor. It’s safer there than here.” Yan Kui casually dealt with a robber who jumped up to block the road and demand money, taking his broken blade with decisive action.

The remaining robbers didn’t dare to come up at all. There were many people they could bully tonight, and they didn’t want to face Yan Kui, a master, head-on.

Ye Yueshen sneered, “They are really rotten to the core.”

Yan Kui escorted Ye Yueshen to the vicinity of the Shi Yue Pavilion. When Ye Yueshen passed the Shi Yue Pavilion, he couldn’t help but go in. Seeing the shop assistant blocking the doors and windows, Ye Yueshen asked, “Where’s the shopkeeper?”

Someone saw Yan Kui and looked surprised, pointing the way to Ye Yueshen while exchanging greetings with Yan Kui. Ye Yueshen couldn’t care about so much and went to the second floor to find the shopkeeper first.

The shopkeeper was counting his valuables. When he saw Ye Yueshen, he respectfully stood up, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Yueshen greeted him as usual, “Some time ago, I pawned a jade pendant here with you. Now I want to redeem it.”

“Ah! Okay.” The shopkeeper went out for a while and quickly brought the jade pendant back without making things difficult for Ye Yueshen, waving his hand and saying, “Forget about the price of a meal. I haven’t paid your wages yet, take it.”

Ye Yueshen still left his purse, “A few gold leaves, everyone take care.”

The shopkeeper didn’t decline and quickly went back to do his own business. After Ye Yueshen went downstairs, he called Yan Kui to leave. When they arrived at the door of the small courtyard, Ye Yueshen casually asked, “Do you know that person?”

Yan Kui stammered, “Actually… actually… Sigh, let me tell you the truth, but Young Master Yue, you have to pretend you don’t know. Actually, the owner of the Shi Yue Pavilion is His Highness.”

Ye Yueshen was speechless. In fact, he knew from the shopkeeper’s attitude just now.

Ye He closed the door tightly. Ye Yueshen and Yan Kui spent a lot of effort to open the door, but they were stunned when they opened it. Both rooms were now occupied, filled with the smell of sweat, and full of burly men.

Ye Yueshen had just opened a crack in the door when Yan Kui closed it back. Taking advantage of the fact that no one had noticed them, Yan Kui shook his head at Ye Yueshen, pulled him away quickly from the courtyard.

Once outside, leaning against the wall, Yan Kui said, “Young Master Yue, it looks like this place has been seized. Your little brother must have been driven away.”

Ye Yueshen’s mood suddenly fell. He felt a strong sense of anger and grief. The two returned the same way without a word. Ye Yueshen’s mind was filled with Ye He’s youthful and lively appearance.

Ye He was alone. Although it was the end of winter and not as cold as mid-winter, it was not easy to spend the night outside.

But just now, Ye He didn’t return to the Shi Yue Pavilion, otherwise the shop assistant would have told Ye Yueshen. The shop assistants all knew that he and Ye He had a good relationship.

They hadn’t walked far when suddenly someone tentatively called out, “Brother Yue…”

Ye Yueshen originally thought he was hallucinating, but then he heard another sentence, “Brother Yue!”

Yan Kui also heard it and immediately turned back to look for him, soon finding the injured Ye He behind a tree. Ye He was covering his abdomen, and it was difficult for him to speak in pain, “Brother Yue, would it be convenient for you to send me to the Shi Yue Pavilion? I… I really can’t walk anymore…”

Ye Yueshen knelt down beside him, asking, “Can you stand up a little? I’ll carry you home.”

“I can’t…”

Yan Kui deftly grabbed Ye He’s arm and carried him on his back, then asked Ye Yueshen without burden or panting, “Shall we go to the Shi Yue Pavilion or back to the Marquis’s residence?”

Ye Yueshen didn’t try to be brave, “Back to the Marquis’s residence. After you carry him for a while, I’ll take over when you’re tired.”

“This humble one is not tired.” Yan Kui carried Ye He all the way back to the Marquis’s residence. This time, they brought an injured person, so they didn’t walk over the wall, but honestly knocked on the side door.

Someone opened a crack in the door with a knife, and when they saw Ye Yueshen, they were so scared that their voice broke, “Third Young Master, you really! When did you run out? Come in quickly.”

Ye Yueshen breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he regretted not informing his family when he first went out. If they found out he was gone later, the whole family would be worried.

Fortunately, everyone was busy and hadn’t noticed that he had left.

Ye Yueshen hurriedly led Yan Kui and Ye He to the main courtyard to reunite with his family. He was about to open the door when it was opened from the inside. When Ye Lingshen saw the extra person, he quickly understood what had happened.

Ye Lingshen chuckled, “Seeing that you hadn’t come for so long, Mother was worried and asked me to look for you. Sure enough, you really didn’t let Mother’s worries down.”

Ye Yueshen looked ashamed, “It was my fault. Fortunately, you hadn’t found out yet and I had already come back myself. Otherwise, if I caused Mother and brothers to worry, I would cry to death first.”

“You’re getting better at talking.” Ye Lingshen pulled him into the house. Yan Kui also brought Ye He in. Ye Yueshen quickly fetched a chair for him to sit on, only then realizing that Ye He was holding his abdomen with one hand, and the other hand was helplessly covering his bruised and swollen head.

Just now, the moonlight outside was weak and he couldn’t see clearly. Now that Ye Yueshen saw it clearly, he was startled and quickly reached out to cover the bruise on his face, his movements gentle and cherishing, asking with heartache, “Did you encounter robbers?”

The Junzhu and others also gathered around. The Junzhu also looked distressed, not caring where Ye Yueshen had brought the person from, and asked someone to call a woman who knew a little medicine to take a look.

Ye He shook his head, “No, it was that bastard who originally lived with me. Tonight, he brought a group of beggars. They said it was chaotic outside and wanted to stay overnight. I didn’t want to. I was afraid Brother Yue… I was afraid Young Master, you would come back. How could I let those dirty people intrude on you? I told them to leave quickly. They got angry, beat me up, and kicked me out.”

Ye Yueshen gently put his arm around him and patted his back. Ye He sobbed softly in his arms, feeling very aggrieved, “Young Master, I just regret not being able to bring out the clothes you gave me. Those were given to me by Young Master. I usually don’t dare to touch them, fearing I’ll get them dirty or wrinkled…”

Yan Kui was on the side as if facing a formidable enemy. If His Highness saw this, who knows how jealous he would be.

“There are more at home, you can choose whatever you want later.” Ye Yueshen comforted him, “Don’t cry.”

The woman came with ointment for bruises and medicinal wine for sprains. The Junzhu arranged for someone to take Ye He to the wing room to rest, and Xue Dong went over to help him apply the medicine.

As soon as the person was sent away, Ye Yueshen was scolded. The Junzhu scolded him for not letting people worry at this time, poking his forehead with her finger.

Ye Yueshen honestly listened to the scolding. The whole family was worried and gathered together without showing it on their faces. The Junzhu couldn’t help but sigh. Ye Yuanshen held his mother’s hand and comforted, “Mother, don’t worry, Father is safer in the palace than we are.”

In fact, everyone knew this was a lie. The palace was heavily guarded, but if private soldiers entered the city, they would mostly attack the inner palace.

Before long, a servant came to deliver a message that the neighboring street was already in chaos.

Ye Yuanshen went to instruct the guards outside the door to be ready to escort the Junzhu out of the capital at any time. Ye Lingshen took out a long sword and distributed one to Ye Yueshen, then poured a few glasses of fruit wine on the table, beckoning the people in the room to come forward.

The meaning was self-evident. They were afraid they would have to use weapons. They were the young masters of aristocratic families, and the servants of the mansion also lived peaceful lives. Anyone would be panicked when encountering such a thing.

Ye Lingshen picked up a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. Ye Yueshen didn’t think he needed alcohol to embolden himself, after all, his counterattack against Du Ruxiang was last year’s matter.

But even Yan Kui and Xue Dong, and even the little maid beside the Junzhu, drank a glass and smashed the wine bowl. Ye Yueshen also drank a bowl in response.

But he soon regretted it. He pressed his feverish face against the cold table in an attempt to cool down. Someone said “drunk” in his ear. Ye Yueshen looked around blankly, then climbed onto the small couch by the window, pressing his face against the cold window, feeling a trace of coolness seeping in from the cracks in the bed.

The Junzhu said helplessly, “Pull him back, don’t let him catch a cold.”

Ye Yuanshen wrapped him in a brocade quilt, pulled him to a soft couch away from the window, and let him lean against it, saying helplessly, “You sleep first, we’ll wake you up if anything happens.”

Ye Yueshen had worries in his heart and couldn’t sleep. Half the night passed, Xue Dong ran in excitedly, “Madam, the master is back!”

Marquis Ye followed closely behind, exuding cold air all over. He took the hand warmer handed by the Junzhu as soon as he entered the house, and was surrounded by everyone as he sat down. Ye Yueshen also walked over shakily, only able to stand steady with Yan Kui’s support.

Marquis Ye sighed, “Qi Wang and I accused the Second Prince and Consort Gui in front of the Emperor, forcing them into a corner. The Second Prince actually left the palace with the help of Consort Gui’s confidants and rebelled.”

Hearing that it was the former crown prince who rebelled, everyone gasped, asking questions in surprise.

Marquis Ye couldn’t care about so many questions. He looked at Ye Yueshen, as if explaining specifically to Ye Yueshen, “Qi Wang has already surrounded them from the outside with the imperial guards, and the commander of the imperial guards is defending from the inside. The Crown Prince’s troops are not too many or too few. He is betting on the Emperor being caught off guard. But with Qi Wang in charge, there should be no problem.”

The Junzhu asked, “Then why did you come back first?”

“Qi Wang was considerate of my wife and children, so he had someone lead me out of the palace through a small path.” Marquis Ye sighed, “Even if the deposed Crown Prince is caught tonight, it will cause a lot of chaos.”

Ye Yueshen’s cheeks were flushed, and he was still a little drunk. He suddenly opened his mouth and said, “Will Gong Xunwu be okay?”

The Junzhu was startled, and Marquis Ye’s reaction was even greater. He jumped up from the chair, looked around, and finally his eyes paused on Yan Kui.

The Junzhu scolded, “You’re drunk! Why don’t you shut up and go back to lie down?”

Ye Yuanshen and Ye Lingshen would no longer be surprised by Ye Yueshen’s affairs. They calmly covered Ye Yueshen’s mouth and helped him to sit on a soft chair on the side.

Yan Kui was a little embarrassed. He laughed awkwardly, “This humble one didn’t hear anything just now.” In fact, he was thinking that if these words reached Qi Wang’s ears, His Highness would definitely be happy that Young Master Yue cared about him!

After Marquis Ye returned home, the family reunited, and everyone was visibly relieved. Even when talking about the outside affairs, they were no longer worried, having a kind of composure that the fire couldn’t find the Marquis’s residence.

Only Ye Yueshen was more worried than before. His eyelids were heavy, but he refused to close his eyes and sleep for a while, staring at the door, as if waiting for something.

In the second half of the night, the fire really reached the Marquis’s residence. Someone set fire to the withered winter trees in the backyard of the Marquis’s residence. Ye Yuanshen ordered half of the people to put out the fire, and half of the people still guarded the main courtyard and important courtyards.

Before long, a servant came to report that a dozen robbers had broken into the back corner door, had already injured the gatekeeper and broke in.