?34: Chapter 34 Ye Family Mansion 34: Chapter 34 Ye Family Mansion Ye Family, one of the eight great families of the Capital City, was considered a first-rate family in Xia Country for being able to establish a foothold in the Capital.

    In the three realms of military, politics, and commerce, many members of the Ye Family held significant positions.

    The Family Head, Ye Canghai, had once been a major political figure in Xia Country.

    Although he had retired, his influence was by no means diminished.

    A courtyard house, simple and grand, bore the marks of time on its walls.

    But the value of such a house in the Capital was simply immeasurable.

    The air was filled with the sound of gongs and drums and the constant crackling of fireworks.

    In front of the grand courtyard of the Ye Family.

    Countless luxurious carriages were parked outside, and the stream of guests coming and going was endless.

    Had any reporters been present, they would have been shocked to discover that each person entering the Ye Family’s courtyard was a notable figure from the military, political, or business spheres.

    Today was a day of celebration, the seventieth birthday of Ye Canghai.

    A large character for ‘longevity’ was posted all over the courtyard of the Ye Family, and dozens of banquet tables were set up amidst the noisy chatter of guests.

    “Qingzhu, my dear niece, I am very pleased that you could come to the old master’s seventieth birthday.

    There’s no need for any gifts,” Ye Hanchuan said with a smile, looking at Xia Qingzhu in front of him, his eyes brimming with deep affection.

    “Ha-ha.”

    Xia Tiejun laughed out loud, “Old Ye, what are you talking about?

    It’s Lord Ye’s big birthday; how can we afford to neglect the proper formalities?

    Qingzhu, quickly, greet Uncle Ye.”

    “Uncle Ye,” Xia Qingzhu said properly.

    “Good, good, good.”

    Ye Hanchuan repeated the word ‘good’ three times.

    His gaze shifted slightly as he called out to his son, Ye Yu, beside him, “It’s rare for Qingzhu to visit our home, you should get to know her better.”

    Dressed in a black suit complemented by gold-rimmed glasses, Ye Yu had an air of refined elegance.

    He addressed Xia Qingzhu with a gentle smile, “Qingzhu, it’s been a long time.

    Let’s take our seats.”

    “Isn’t that niece Qingzhu?”

    Before Xia Qingzhu and her father took their seats, a coquettish laugh echoed through the air, and soon, a middle-aged couple followed by a young man emerged from the inner courtyard.

    Qingzhu greeted several uncles and aunts properly.

    Ye Canghai had three sons, and Ye Hanchuan was from the second branch.

    The people now approaching Xia Qingzhu were from the Ye Family’s third branch.

    If Ye Xuan were present at that moment, he would have recognized the woman leading the way as his father Ye Canghao’s wife.

    This lady was no ordinary person; she was the eldest daughter of the Nangong Family, one of the eight great families of Beijing.

    Naturally, following her were Ye Xuan’s biological father, Ye Canghao, and his brother Ye Ping.

    “Ping, haven’t you greeted your sister Qingzhu yet?” Nangong Yun said gently, turning to speak to Ye Ping.

    “Nice to meet you, sister Qingzhu.”

    Ye Ping, a twin brother to Ye Ling’er and sibling to Ye Xuan, was currently dressed in casual attire, smiling and greeting Xia Qingzhu.

    “You...

    you’re Ye Xuan’s brother, aren’t you?” Xia Qingzhu, her eyes brightening, directly questioned Ye Ping.

    As Xia Qingzhu’s words fell, Nangong Yun’s expression changed slightly, but she said nothing.

    Ye Ping, on the other hand, was taken aback, and the image of Ye Xuan appeared in his mind.

    However, he slowly shook his head and said, “Ye Xuan is indeed my older brother, but he has been dead for many years.”

    “Dead for many years?”

    Xia Qingzhu’s expression shifted upon hearing Ye Ping’s words.

    She had met Ye Xuan just yesterday, how could he have been dead for many years?

    While Xia Qingzhu was perplexed, Ye Canghao said somberly, “Niece Qingzhu, that unruly child has been dead a long time.

    Let’s not speak of him on such a joyful day.”

    Ye Canghao, Ye Xuan’s biological father, was clad in military uniform, his face stern and serious, exuding an aura of majesty.

    Although he had reached middle age, his handsome features only added to his mature charm.

    “Alright, let’s not talk about him now.

    Let’s take our seats; the old master will be arriving shortly.” Nangong Yun smiled and ushered everyone into the first seats at the birthday banquet.

    “The head of Wu’an Office has arrived.”

    “The junior minister of the Ministry of Justice has arrived.”

    “Major General Chen has arrived.”

    “The Pan Family has arrived.”

    “The Xiao Family has arrived.”

    ...

    During the birthday celebration, announcements of various influential figures’ arrival kept coming, adding to the fervor of the event.

    “Haha!”

    A hearty laugh resounded as an elderly man with silver hair emerged from the inner hall, accompanied by the Ye Family’s main house attendees.

    He clasped his hands and bowed with fists to the guests, saying, “I never expected to receive such esteemed guests on my seventieth birthday.

    I truly feel unworthy.”

    “Congratulations to Elder Ye, may your fortune be as vast as the East Sea and your longevity greater than the Southern Mountains.”

    “Today marks Elder Ye’s seventieth birthday; by the time you celebrate your eightieth, I suspect even your great-grandchildren will be in your arms, right?”

    Various congratulatory voices emanated from the banquet, to which Ye Canghai responded with a smile, one by one.

    At this moment!

    Xia Qingzhu sat at the highest seat of the banquet, her stunning face tinged with confusion.

    Since entering the banquet, she not only found no trace of Ye Xuan but also heard from Ye Ping and Ye Canghao that Ye Xuan was long dead.

    This suddenly filled her with unease.

    Xia Qingzhu knew she had guessed wrong, Ye Xuan had not survived because of the Ye Family, and even the members of the Ye Family were unaware that Ye Xuan was still alive.

    Moreover, Xia Qingzhu could fully discern from Ye Canghao’s demeanor, that as Ye Xuan’s biological father, there was absolutely no affection for Ye Xuan in his words.

    “What...

    what on earth is going on?” Xia Qingzhu murmured to herself.

    “Qingzhu sister, what’s wrong?” Ye Ping asked in confusion.

    “You...

    do you not know...

    that your elder brother has not died?”

    Xia Qingzhu could no longer contain her doubt and confronted Ye Ping directly.

    Silence!

    A deathly silence fell.

    As Xia Qingzhu finished speaking, not only was Ye Ping stunned on the spot, but Ye Canghao and Nangong Yun, who were seated at the same table, also turned wooden, their eyes filled with perplexity as they looked at Xia Qingzhu.

    “No...

    it’s impossible...

    My elder brother had a terminal illness...

    how could he have survived?” Ye Ping’s voice trembled slightly as he forced a smile at Xia Qingzhu, clearly disbelieving what she had said.

    Thud—— Thud—— Thud.

    The steady footsteps echoed like the beating of the Soul Drum, like the thunder of the Nine Heavens sounding off.

    A solitary figure was slowly making his entrance into the banquet.

    “Little brother, I’ve come to take you home.”

    Dressed in a black ancient robe and wielding a blood-red sword, Ye Xuan’s gray-white hair moved on its own as if without the presence of wind; upon approaching Ye Ping, his calm voice rose in that moment.

    Utter stillness prevailed, and Heaven and Earth fell silent.

    When Ye Xuan appeared, Ye Ping’s eyes widened, staring intently at the approaching Ye Xuan, while Ye Canghao and his wife seemed to have lost their souls, completely unable to believe the scene before them.

    “El...

    Elder brother?” Ye Ping suddenly rose from his seat, his body trembling uncontrollably.