At the entrance of the Ye residence, two handsome young men stepped down from a carriage. The one in front glanced at the steward waiting to greet them, a flicker of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. He clicked his tongue and turned back to smile at those still inside the carriage, saying, "Seems Eldest Brother’s reputation isn’t enough—no one’s here to welcome us." The slightly older youth behind him shot him a look and remarked, "Did Eldest Brother bring you along just to show off?" The younger boy responded with a playful grimace. "Who cares about that? I’m here to see Sister Li!"
"Xu Qingyan, mind your manners," came a calm voice from inside the carriage.
Xu Qingyan blinked at his brother and muttered under his breath, "Second Brother is even stricter than Eldest Brother."
Xu Qingbai rolled his eyes at him. "If you know he’s strict, why do you keep provoking him?"
The steward of the Ye residence stood awkwardly to the side, watching as the two Xu young masters continued their conversation, completely ignoring his earlier invitation to enter. Not to mention the others still seated in the carriage, who hadn’t even shown their faces yet. Just as he hesitated whether to approach them again, a slightly excited voice called out from behind the gates—"Is that Fourth Cousin and Fifth Brother?"
Xu Qingbai turned to see a young woman in green robes hurrying toward them. His initial unfamiliarity melted into warmth as she drew closer. "Li’er, it’s me, Fourth Brother. Do you remember?" Ye Li nodded slightly. Among the five Xu brothers, Xu Qingbai was closest to her in age, being only a year older. They had been the closest during her childhood stay at the Xu residence, studying and playing together. "Fourth Brother..."
"Haha, Sister Li, I’m Qingyan!" Xu Qingyan eagerly stepped forward, not wanting to be left out.
Ye Li looked at the handsome youth before her and smiled softly. "Fifth Brother has grown up. You look just like Auntie." She added teasingly, "When I left the capital, you were still a little boy." Xu Qingyan’s face fell dramatically. "Sister Li, you’re bullying me!"
"Where are Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and... Third Brother?"
The carriage curtain was suddenly flung open as Xu Qingfeng leaped out with a grin. "Good thing Li’er still remembers her Third Brother, or I’d have been jealous!"
Two more young men emerged from the carriage—Xu Qingchen, the eldest son of the Xu family and renowned as the top scholar of the younger generation, and Xu Qingze, the second son.
"Li’er." Dressed in white, Xu Qingchen’s refined features softened with a faint smile as he looked at her. In contrast, the nineteen-year-old Xu Qingze carried an air of solemnity and discipline, giving off an aloof impression. Yet, Ye Li could still sense the warmth in his gaze as it rested on her.
"Eldest Brother, Second Brother," Ye Li called softly, her eyes inexplicably stinging. A strange, overwhelming sensation wrapped around her—something she, who always prided herself on being composed, had never experienced before. Despite having many sisters in the Ye household, she had always felt alone. But now, surrounded by so many brothers, it was as if she had returned to the days when her mother was still alive, when her uncles and grandfather had not yet left the capital. It even reminded her of her past life, of that noisy yet warm family she had once known.
Xu Qingchen reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, sighing softly. "Li’er, you’ve suffered all these years, haven’t you?"Ye Li shook her head repeatedly, but her throat seemed choked up, unable to utter a single word.
"Third Sister, it's too impolite to keep our cousins standing at the gate. Let's invite them in quickly," Ye Ying said softly as she stepped forward gracefully, then turned to Xu Qingchen and curtsied delicately. "Ying'er greets Cousin Qingchen." Meanwhile, Xu Qingfeng rubbed his nose and retreated behind his second brother. He had visited the Ye residence countless times, yet the haughty Ye Ying had never shown him such courtesy before.
Ye Ying's expression darkened slightly as she forced a smile. Ye Li quickly steadied her emotions and smiled at Xu Qingchen. "It was Li'er's oversight. Eldest Brother, let's go in. Father and Grandmother are waiting for you and Fifth Brother." Xu Qingchen nodded, and with a wave from Xu Qingze beside him, the Xu family servants waiting nearby retrieved gifts from the rear carriage and followed respectfully as their masters entered the Ye residence.
Walking beside Xu Qingchen and Xu Qingze, Ye Li asked quietly, "Eldest Brother, how are Eldest Uncle and Aunt?"
Xu Qingchen smiled. "Mother stayed in Yunzhou. Father is well, just a bit tired from the journey. He'll recover after some rest."
"If Eldest Uncle and you all were coming, why didn't you tell me? I could have gone to welcome you," Ye Li murmured in complaint.
Xu Qingfeng, walking behind them, laughed heartily. "Don't blame me! Eldest Uncle sent a letter beforehand forbidding anyone to meet him. Even my father only found out after Eldest Uncle and the others had already settled in the estate in the capital. He was furious!" Knowing her uncle disliked formalities, Ye Li wasn't bothered and smiled. "Then I'll visit Eldest Uncle tomorrow. How are Mama Lin and Mama Wei?"
"They're well," Xu Qingze replied. "They were most loyal to Aunt. Their families are willing to accompany you to Ding Royal Palace, so Grandfather had them brought along as well."
Ye Li nodded without offering polite words, her heart heavy with guilt toward her grandfather. She had never been able to bring him joy in his old age, yet he still worried for her.
Xu Qingchen glanced down at her and patted her shoulder gently. "Don't overthink it. Grandfather will be happy as long as you're well."
"I know," Ye Li said.
Ye Lin and Ye Shan watched as the group of handsome men escorted Ye Li away, then turned to the sullen-faced Ye Ying beside them. Exchanging a glance, Ye Lin ventured cautiously, "Fourth Sister... are those... Third Sister's cousins?" Ye Ying lifted her head and glared at her fiercely. The venom in her expression, rarely seen before, made Ye Lin stumble back, nearly bumping into Ye Shan behind her. With a cold laugh, Ye Ying sneered, "Give up now. The Xu family would never take a liking to someone like you!" Without waiting for a response, she turned and strode after the others.
Ye Lin froze at her words, her delicate face flushing crimson with humiliation. Ye Shan shook her head at her. "She's in a foul mood. Why provoke her? Let's go—Grandmother will be displeased if we're late." Surprised that the usually indifferent Ye Shan would comfort her, Ye Lin hurried after her as the others disappeared from view.
Hall of Glory and JoyThis junior and my brothers pay our respects to the Old Madam and... Uncle. Xu Qingchen stepped forward first to greet Ye Laofuren and Lord Ye, followed by the others who also came forward to pay their respects. Ye Laofuren looked at the five young men standing in the hall. Not to mention Xu Qingchen, who had long been renowned throughout the land for his extraordinary grace and refined elegance. Even the thirteen-year-old Xu Qingyan had delicate features and impeccable manners. Though unwilling to admit it, she couldn't deny that the Xu family indeed knew better than the Ye family in raising children. Ye Laofuren's eyes flickered slightly before she quickly smiled and said, "We're all family here, no need for such formalities. How is your father?"
Xu Qingchen stood tall and straight, answering gracefully and composedly, "Father is well, though the long journey has left him too exhausted to visit you in person. Please forgive his absence."
Though she knew these were merely polite words, Ye Laofuren couldn't say much more. She simply smiled and replied, "The journey must have been tiring. He should indeed rest properly. Rong'er, come greet your cousins."
Ye Rong stood beside Wang Shi, initially wanting to say something but catching sight of his father's stern gaze. Reluctantly, he stepped forward and said, "Rong'er greets his cousins." Ye Rong was not a scheming person, nor was he even good at putting on appearances. He disliked Ye Li and naturally disliked her cousins as well. Despite prior warnings from his father and grandmother, he couldn't completely hide his feelings. Even his greeting carried a hint of careless perfunctoriness, causing Lord Ye's expression to darken again.
Xu Qingyan curled his lips slightly and turned his head away without speaking. After all, he was the youngest, and it wasn't his place to speak. Xu Qingchen, however, acted as though he hadn't noticed Ye Rong's expression, his smile still warm and courteous, even taking on a touch of kindness. "Young Master Ye, greetings. I've heard of your literary talents. Qingyan is the same age as you but rather mischievous. If you have time, you should spend more time together."
Xu Qingyan inwardly screamed—who would want to spend time with him?—but on the surface, he didn't dare contradict Xu Qingchen in the slightest. Obediently, he put on a friendly smile and said, "Eldest Brother is right. I will definitely learn more from Young Master Ye."
Xu Qingchen was pleased with his younger brother's obedience and turned to have gifts presented to Ye Rong and the rest of the Ye family. Ye Rong immediately felt a surge of goodwill toward Xu Qingchen. Compared to Xu Qingfeng, who always nitpicked and looked down on him, not to mention the constant threats and disdain, Xu Qingchen—who showed not the slightest hint of contempt—was simply too likable.
Meanwhile, Xu Qingyan, forced into this friendship, subtly sidled over to Xu Qingbai and discreetly nudged his arm, giving him a questioning look: How could Eldest Brother like this idiot?
Xu Qingbai's gaze was righteous and impartial: Because he's stupid and idiotic enough.
How else could he possibly think their eldest brother would genuinely like anyone from the Ye family besides their cousin? The likelihood of that was even lower than Eldest Brother not giving Prince Ding a hard time, wasn't it?
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