Chapter Seventeen: Playing a Role

  Ye Qinglan quietly took a step back: "Mother told me to wait here, I'll wait until Mother is free and then go in to pay my respects, it's not too late."

  Ye Yuanzhou didn't miss her subtle movements, his eyes slightly darkening. But he insisted on saying: "You come in with me!"

  Although he wasn't present at the scene last night, he still heard about it. He felt sorry for his sister who got beaten, but even more so for Ye Qinglan, who was wrongly blamed by Lady Xue.

  This is the most bustling place in He Feng Yuan. Ye Qinglan stood alone here, and Xue Shi neither summoned her to enter nor ordered her to leave, obviously intentionally embarrassing her...

  Ye Qinglan raised her head just as she was about to say something, a familiar gasping voice rang out: "Cousin, cousin!"

  Xue Yushu hastily ran over, naturally squeezing Ye Yuanchou to one side, and anxiously looked up and down at Ye Qinglan a few times: "Cousin, are you okay?"

  Yè Qīnglán smiled slightly: "Thank you, Brother-in-law, for your concern. I'm fine." The one who was worried was Yè Qīngfú instead.

  Xue's reaction was just as she had expected. In fact, the more Xue's anger showed on her face, the happier she became. This also shows that Xue didn't take her seriously at all from the bottom of her heart, so she didn't even bother to put up a pretentious and polite front.

  What's more delightful than despising one's opponent?

  Xue Yushu let out a sigh of relief: "It's all right, don't stand here anymore. Let's go together to pay our respects to Aunt." He naturally stretched out his hand and pulled Ye Qinglan's sleeve as they walked in.

  Ye Qinglan hesitated for a moment and didn't refuse, so she went in with Xue Yushu.

  Ye Yuanchou's handsome face was devoid of any smile, his eyes fiercely staring at Xue Yushu's hand that was tugging on Ye Qinglan's sleeve. If looks could kill, Xue Yushu's hand would have been severed countless times.

  Xue Yushu was lost in joyful excitement, unaware of the cold eyes behind him.

  Xue was sitting at the dinner table, which was filled with steaming and exquisite breakfast dishes. Xue's smile disappeared when she saw Xue Yushu and Ye Yuanzhou walking in together.

  "Daughter greets mother."

  Xue's faint smile was met with a brief, piercing glance at Ye Qinglan before he looked away and warmly invited, "Yuanchou, Yushu, you two haven't had breakfast yet either! Come sit down and eat together."

  But he didn't even glance at Ye Qinglan.

  Ye Yuanshou's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he responded with a nonchalant "en" before sitting down beside Lady Xue.

  Xue Yu's rough and careless words completely ignored the eerie atmosphere, and he laughed loudly: "Cousin, why are you standing there? Come sit down and eat with us!"

  Xue's smile faltered, and she gritted her teeth in secret. This useless and careless thing, his eyes only had Ye Qinglan, no one else...

  Ye Qinglan naturally knew what to do, smiling slightly and responding: "I had breakfast before I came. Brother-in-law doesn't need to be polite." Last night she had already vented a lot of her anger, so for now it was better not to provoke Xue Shi again.

  As they were talking, Ye Chengli also arrived.

  Xue Shi hurriedly smiled and stood up to greet him, and ordered the maid to serve rice and dishes, as if last night's fierce argument had never happened.

  As soon as Ye Chengli's gaze fell on Ye Qinglan, Xue Shi immediately smiled and said: "Lan'er, why don't you quickly sit down and have breakfast with your father?"

  Xue Yushu was just about to say "my cousin has already had breakfast" when he heard Ye Qinglan respond with a smiling "ah" and then obediently sat down.

  Which one is this singing?

  Xue Yushu unconsciously opened his mouth wide and forgot to close it for a long time.

  Everyone present is a master of acting skills, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened. Not one person brought up the events of last night.

  After finishing breakfast, Ye Chengli got up and planned to go to Changhe Hall. He casually instructed: "Yuanshou, you and Lan'er come with me."

  Xue's smile didn't diminish, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. Ye Chengli was planning to bring Ye Qinglan before everyone...

  Ye Qinglan responded with a "yes" and stood up beside Ye Yuanshou, looking gentle and obedient.

  Xue Yushu gazed longingly at the disappearing figure of Ye Qinglan, wishing he had wings to fly after her. Unfortunately, he was just an awkward illegitimate young master, and leaving the He Feng courtyard would only make things more dull...

  Xue Yushu finally withdrew his gaze, coincidentally meeting Xue's resentful and angry eyes: "What are you standing here like an idiot for? Hurry back to study! If you can't even pass the Tongsheng exam this year, see if you have any face left to go back and see your parents."

  As soon as this was mentioned, Xue Yushu felt guilty and smiled awkwardly: "I'll go read a book now." Before the Xue family could say anything, he slipped away quietly.

  Xue Shi wanted to chase but it was too late, and could only watch as Xue Yushu ran far away in the blink of an eye.

  Xue's elder brother, relying on his privilege, got a seventh-grade county magistrate position. The county town where he worked was relatively remote, so he entrusted Xue Yushu to his sister. Xue loved this nephew more than her own son, but because of his incompetence, she often had headaches.

  Ye Yuanzhou had taken the examination for children's test two years ago and was actively preparing to participate in the county test. Among his peers, he is also considered outstanding.

  Xue Yushu has taken the exam twice but didn't pass either time.

  Obviously they were taught by the same master, how come there is such a big difference?

  Xue Shi couldn't help but let out another sigh, and with renewed determination, went to Ye Qingfu's room. Ye Qingfu, who had been confined to her room as punishment, was listlessly staying inside, the silk handkerchief in her hand almost twisted into a rope.

  As soon as she saw Mrs. Xue, Ye Qing's eyes welled up with tears and her voice trembled: "Mother, please go and beg Father for me. I don't want to be alone in the house, I want to go out..."

  So many sisters and cousins are together, it must be very lively. But she is alone in the house!

  Xue's words were soothing: "Your father is still angry, so for the next two days, you'd better behave yourself and not provoke him again. Otherwise, on your grandfather's birthday, he really won't let you out, and then see who you'll cry to."

  Ye Qingfu reluctantly agreed, but after thinking about it again, she felt a burning sensation in her chest and said angrily: "Father is too biased. It was obviously Sanmei's fault, yet everything is blamed on me."

  She's never been hit before in her life. The finger marks on her cheek haven't faded yet!

  Xue's displeased gaze swept over her: "You still have the nerve to say that. You're a year older than her, and yet you got played around like a top. Next time, remember this and learn from it."

  I used to underestimate this girl.

  Ye Qingfu argued in a huff: "She's just good at pretending to be pitiful, I won't learn from her." As she spoke, she turned her head away with a snort, her face full of disdain.

  Xue's family also had no way out and could only sigh helplessly.