Chapter Volume 2 20

Right after Yao Suluan said that, a pair of powerful arms wrapped around her. As she leaned against Ye Liyu’s broad chest, her lips hooked in a smile.

“It’s been so many years, do you still not understand my heart? Don’t you know how much my heart aches to see you like this? If it weren’t for you, this prince would’ve rejected Imperial Older Brother and just stayed carefreely in Secluded Province! It’s been seven years. This prince thought that this prince would be able to forget you if this prince went far enough away! However, the further I went, the more I missed you! Suluan, this prince has returned, so no one will dare to bully you again!” Ye Liyu hugged the beauty in his arms tightly as he said this with conviction.

“Transcendental Prince… Suluan regrets now… But what do I do? There’s no longer any way to turn back…” Yao Suluan’s tears soaked Ye Liyu’s lapel. At this moment, her only thought was that her chance had come. With Ye Liyu here, she could now contend against Yao Mowan!

“Don’t cry, this prince will help you! This prince won’t let off anyone that hurts you! Suluan, did you say that Yao Mowan bullied you? But from what I’ve heard, she really is a fool. How is this possible?” Ye Liyu slowly lifted Yao Suluan out of his arms and asked her this gently.

“Yao Mowan isn’t a fool at all, she’s extremely intelligent! It was her… she had caused Suluan’s mother to die and had framed Suluan multiple times… Prince, just forget it. Suluan doesn’t want to fight anymore either. Just living on like this and being able to see Prince is already enough…” Yao Suluan covered her mouth and lowered her tear-filled eyes.

“This prince came back for you! This prince will make everyone that bullied you pay the price!” Ye Liyu’s heart was filled with fury when he saw the woman he loved so hurt.

“Don’t… You’re not a match for Yao Mowan! Suluan doesn’t want Prince to end up in the same situation. I beg you, don’t provoke her! If anything happens to Prince, Suluan would never be able to live with the guilt!” Yao Suluan went with the reverse psychology strategy and tried to dissuade Ye Liyu.

“Ha! Could it be that Yao Mowan’s a vicious wolf? Even if she is, this prince can still beat her to death! Leave this matter to this prince and don’t worry about it anymore!” This strategy was evidently very effective on Ye Liyu. Furthermore, there was no way he could just standby and watch as the woman he loved suffered.

“Prince…”

“That’s enough! This prince’s decision won’t change. Just wait and watch how this prince gets justice for you!” said Ye Liyu indignantly.

After Ye Liyu left, Yao Suluan wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and smiled widely. It had only taken a few words to get Ye Liyu to willingly become her sword. Ye Mowan ah, the day of your death will be arriving soon!

The following evening, Ye Liyu’s welcoming banquet was held in the imperial garden. The large square pavilion was decorated with red lanterns that lit up the garden like it was day. The scent of delicacies filled the air and there was a dazzling lineup of wine. The feast was so abundant it seemed like a national banquet.

Way before Ye Hongyi arrived, the consorts and concubines had arrived in beautiful attire. There were only two left out of the four noble consorts, so the two empty positions became the target of all the concubines and consorts in the Inner Palace. Ye Junqing had arrived before Ye Liyu. Just as he was about to sit down, he saw Ye Liyu stride in.

“Has Seventh Brother been doing well in Secluded Province?” They were brothers after all, and when Ye Junqing was a general, he had looked after Ye Liyu a lot, so he was happy to see Ye Liyu again after so long. However, to his surprise, Ye Liyu didn’t even look at him and acted as if he didn’t hear Ye Junqing’s words.

Ye Junqing concealed the awkwardness and slight coldness he felt and sat down. Right at this moment, Ye Hongyi walked in while holding Yao Mowan’s hand, so Yao Mowan happened to see this entire scene. It seemed that in these past seven years, the only thing about Ye Liyu that had progressed was his temper. Yao Mowan inwardly scoffed.

“This wife kowtows in salute to Your Majesty!”

“This younger brother kowtows in salute to Your Majesty!” After a bunch of greetings, Ye Hongyi pulled Yao Mowan over to the main seat.

“You may all sit! Since it’s a family banquet, there’s no need to be so formal.” Ye Hongyi was in a very good mood as he waved to indicate for everyone to sit down.

“Imperial Older Brother puts it well! Since it’s a family banquet, some people shouldn’t be here!” A rough voice suddenly arose. Upon hearing this, everyone looked towards Ye Liyu only to find that he was currently looking straight at Ye Junqing.

“Liyu ah, why is your temper still like this? What do you mean by shouldn’t be here? The only people here are your Imperial Sister-in-Laws and your Imperial Older Brothers. Who shouldn’t be here?” Ye Hongyi knew who Ye Liyu was pointing at, but he still faked anger and berated him.

“Naturally…” Ye Liyu was just about to reply when Yao Mowan interrupted.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t a family banquet be the entire family eating together? Then why isn’t Second Older Sister here?” Yao Mowan looked toward Ye Hongyi with a puzzled expression.

“The servant in Consort Li’s Palace said that she’s ill so she won’t be here.” Ye Hongyi stroked Yao Mowan’s nose dotingly.

“But Wan er misses Second Older Sister…” Yao Mowan lowered her eyes in a disappointed manner.

“An Bingshan, call Consort Li over!” Ye Hongyi immediately gave this command when he saw Yao Mowan dispirited.

Meanwhile, Ye Liyu’s gaze turned cold when he looked towards Yao Mowan. It seemed that Yao Suluan was right, Imperial Older Brother truly favored this fool too much. A single sentence from her and he insisted that Suluan came even if she was ill! Ha, this prince will soon force you to show if you’re truly a fool or just faking it!

After Yao Mowan changed the topic, Ye Liyu couldn’t very well bring up that issue again and just glowered at Ye Junqing before sitting back down.

Beautiful elegant music soon filled the air. The palace women danced under the soft moonlight, their garments fanning out like the wings of butterflies. After one song finished, Yao Suluan appeared in a magnificent red gown with Ming Yu supporting her.

“Suluan kowtows in salute to Your Majesty…” Yao Suluan’s face was pale and her voice was weak. She didn’t dare to look straight at Ye Hongyi and after greeting him, carefully moved to the side. Ye Liyu’s heart ached when he saw Yao Suluan’s timid and humble expression. A woman that used to be so haughty had now fallen to such depths!

“Second Older Sister, you’re here? Hurry and come here!” Yao Mowan excitedly got up but Ye Hongyi gently pulled her back.

“You may sit.” Ye Hongyi’s voice was indifferent as he waved for Yao Suluan to sit. He was finding Yao Suluan more and more irritating to the sight. If he only he could be certain that she didn’t tell anyone else his secrets. Once he made sure of that, he would definitely send her somewhere out of sight so that he could get rid of this annoyance.

“Liyu ah, you’ve rushed back such a long way, you’ve truly worked hard! But we are relieved that you’re back. We finally have another brother in this Imperial City! Come, let us offer you a toast!” Ye Hongyi turned to look towards Ye Liyu. He trusted this younger brother quite a lot. After all, they were born of the same parents so they were closer than most.

The palace rules stated that everyone must toast when His Majesty raised his cup, but when Ye Junqing lifted his cup, Ye Liyu suddenly said, “If Esteemed Prince wishes to drink with Imperial Older Brother, then Liyu will pass on this round!” Ye Liyu’s words were barbed and his eyes were filled with disdain.

Upon hearing this, Ye Junqing lowered his cup again with an indescribable feeling. Even though he was now someone without power or a title, he was still his imperial older brother.

“Liyu ah! You must drink tonight! No one is to leave until drunk!” Ye Hongyi was in a good mood after seeing Ye Junqing embarrassed and downed his drink in one go. At the side, Yao Mowan’s lips lifted slightly in a cold smile.

__________ Credits: Translated by Chiyomira