Chapter Ten Return to the Capital

  Two days later, they finally arrived in Beijing.

  Ye Qingfu had stayed in Zhengzhou for a full five years, and now that she was back in the capital, she felt both excited and thrilled. At first, she quietly lifted the curtain to take a peek outside, but later on, she simply stuck her head out to take a good look around.

  Ye Qinglan listened to the faint noise outside, her heart was also a little itchy. She couldn't help but shift her position and followed Ye Qingfu's line of sight to look outside.

  Shops, wine houses, tea houses, pawn shops, grocery stores, pastry shops, cosmetics shops...... none of them were seen.

  As far as the eye can see, only a wide and clean road paved with green bricks is visible. There are not many pedestrians, nor is there much loud noise, and no shouting or hawking of vendors. The bustling street scene I imagined does not exist at all.

  Is this the capital?

  It was probably Ye Qinglan's disappointment that was too obvious, Ye Qingfu slightly turned her head and sneered at her: "Look at your disappointed expression. What, aren't you happy to be able to return to the capital?"

  Ye Qinglan smiled lightly and said: "Of course I'm happy. However, it's been a few years since I've returned, and it seems less lively than before."

  This remark was quite skillful, both pointing out the doubts in his mind and not revealing a single trace.

  Ye Qingfu didn't raise the slightest suspicion, and even said somewhat impatiently: "This is Ronghe Fang, one of the four fangs and seven alleys. Those who live here are either rich or noble. It's not a place where ordinary people live, those messy places, where does the bustle come from?"

  Four Workshops and Seven Alleys?

  Ye Qinglan paused slightly and smiled along with Ye Qingfu's tone, "I haven't been back for a few years, I've actually forgotten about this."

  Ye Qing hummed softly and didn't say anything else.

  Ye Qinglan secretly wiped away cold sweat in her heart.

  Food can't be eaten casually, words can't be spoken casually. This saying is indeed not false at all. Just now I almost exposed myself, fortunately she reacted quickly and rounded it up in time. From now on, we must be doubly careful.

  Others didn't notice this little episode, only Rui Xue quietly raised her head to glance at Ye Qinglan, and soon lowered her eyelids.

  The carriage moved steadily forward, turning a corner into a quiet and spacious alley.

  There were no other residents in the alley, and there were high walls on both sides. At the end of the alley was a wide gate. Two stone lions stood tall, majestic and powerful. Above the gate hung a plaque with golden edges, with several bright and shiny big characters.

  Changyuan Bo's Mansion!

  Ye Qinglan muttered to herself a few times, and a wonderful feeling floated up in her heart. Is this the old mansion in the capital? So majestic and so impressive...

  The carriage stopped, and Ye Chengli and Xue Shi got off the carriage first. Ye Yuanshou and others also came down one after another.

  Xue raised his head and took a glance, the smile on his face immediately froze.

  The side door of the Changyuan Bo Mansion was opened, and standing at the side door to greet them was Wang Mama, who was beside Madame Changyuan Bo, accompanied by several maidservants and young servants, smiling as they came forward.

  Changyuan Bo and his wife are already old, so it's okay if they didn't come to greet us. But the two brothers and their wives didn't show up either.

  Xue's smile faded away, and he muttered in a low voice: "We came all the way back, but they won't even open the main gate for us."

  Ye Chengli also felt somewhat displeased in his heart, but he said with a smile: "Don't grumble anymore, the side door is just the side door. First go into the mansion to pay respects to Father and Mother, then we'll talk."

  Xue hummed softly, his face didn't look very good.

  Wang's mother was an old hand at this, and she pretended not to see Xue Shi's cold face. She smiled and said: "Master and the elderly lady are waiting inside, as well as the two young masters and their wives. They're all just waiting for Master Three and Mistress Three to return."

  The words sounded pleasant to her ears. Xue Shi slightly bowed her head and curled up the corners of her lips: "Thanks, Aunt Wang."

  The king's mother repeatedly said she didn't dare, and smiled diligently as she led the way in front.

  A group of people led by Ye Chengli entered the Changyuanbo Mansion from the side door in a majestic manner.

  Ye Qinglan followed the crowd walking in, all the way without daring to look around, only using the corner of her eye to quietly observe the surrounding scenery.

  Exquisite pavilions and towers are hidden among the lush trees, with small artificial hills and flowing water surrounded by peach blossoms, willows, and purple flowers. Everywhere there are rare flowers and grasses, many of which have never been heard or seen before. Occasionally a bird's chirping or an oriole's trilling can be heard, making one feel carefree and joyful.

  Along the way, there were occasionally well-dressed maid-like women passing by. When they saw the crowd, they didn't show any fear, but instead smiled and curtsied before quietly retreating, appearing calm and composed. The nobility of the aristocratic family was evident without a doubt.

  Ye Qinglan secretly admired him endlessly.

  I thought Zhengzhou's Ye House was already exquisite and elegant enough, but compared to the old houses in Beijing, it still falls far short.

  "Third sister, can you digest this?" Ye Yuanshou asked in a low voice, having somehow appeared beside her.

  Ye Qinglan quietly pulled away: "Thanks for your concern, big brother, I'm fine."

  For several days, Ye Yuanshou didn't have the chance to talk to her up close, and now that he had this opportunity, he wasn't willing to let it go easily. He came closer: "Later when we meet Grandfather and the others, you'll need to kowtow and pay respects. Your body is still weak from not fully recovering, be careful..."

  The tone is full of concern and solicitude.

  If it were just a brother's concern for his sister, Ye Qinglan would have accepted it wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, as soon as she thought of Ye Yuanshou's fervent gaze that night, goosebumps broke out all over her body.

  Ye Qinglan nodded casually and deliberately slowed down her pace.

  Her refusal was so obvious that Ye Yuanshou thought he couldn't pretend not to see it, and his smile suddenly became somewhat stiff.

  "Brother," Xue Yushu, who was clueless about all this, smiled and walked over: "What are you and your cousin whispering about here?" Although he was speaking to Ye Yuanchao, his gaze fell steadily on Ye Qinglan.

  Ye Yuanshou was annoyed and irritated, where did he have the mood to chat with him. Seeing Xue Yushu's shining eyes again, his heart was even more unspeakably depressed, and he casually responded with a few words before shifting his gaze away.

  Xue Yushu didn't care what Ye Yuanshou said at all, and took the opportunity to naturally lean on Ye Qinglan's side, calling her "sister" with every sentence, not to mention how affectionate it was.

  Ye Qinglan didn't want to bother with him either, but after a moment's thought, she suddenly changed her mind. She looked up at Xue Yushu and a faint smile spread across her lips.

  That smile was fresh and beautiful, like a gentle spring breeze blowing in, rippling a pool of spring water.

  Xue Yushu's heart skipped a beat as he stared, almost frozen in place.

  My cousin has always been a beautiful girl, but that beauty was like a pearl covered in dust, evoking sympathy. But at this moment, her eyes shone like jewels, her lips were slightly upturned, and the dimples on her cheeks appeared, her delicate face seemed to radiate light, and she looked stunningly beautiful under the sunlight.

  Xue Yushu suddenly felt his face inexplicably hot, and he could even hear his own heartbeat pounding.

  Ye Yuanzhou's smile faded, his handsome face flashed with a hint of gloom, and his right hand clenched into a fist in his sleeve. She had never smiled so brightly and happily at him before.

  Could it be that she really likes silly Xue Yushu?

  [bookid==《The Colorful Garden》]