Chapter 58: Inheriting an Ancestor’s Troubles

Chapter 58: Inheriting an Ancestor's Troubles

Despite being a private gathering, there were still many guests coming and going, with countless eyes watching. Thus, the gifts presented wouldn't be excessively extravagant.

However, within the gift boxes they brought back from Xue Song Courtyard this time, there were over ten boxes filled with priceless jade artifacts. As Ye Jiangbai was knowledgeable about jade, he could tell at a glance and his face darkened.

"What has Xue Song been up to?" he exclaimed in anger. "Did he not check the items received?"

Liang Ce sighed. "Xue Song is already kneeling outside. He claims that he was too drunk and momentarily lost his senses."

Frustration overwhelmed Ye Jiangbai, turning his complexion even paler. Seeing this, Chang Nian hurriedly brought him a cup of hot tea, holding it gently to his lips.

With a sideways glance, he caught sight of her worried expression, causing Ye Jiangbai to purse his lips. His demeanor softened as he massaged his temples. "Find out who sent these and return them."

Liang Ce looked troubled. "I've had someone inquire and roughly cross-checked the guest list and gift registry, but... we couldn't determine who the sender was."

"Someone can give a gift without leaving their name?" Ye Jiangbai's headache intensified.

Chang Nian tilted her head in thought for a moment before realization dawned upon her. "I know! It was the group that came to toast me later. They said they were from Jiangzu, but I was puzzled at the time as to why people from Jiangzu would come to Xue Song Courtyard."

Jiangzu? Ye Jiangbai recalled those individuals and immediately understood the situation.

In previous years, he had been in charge of overseeing the grain rations, so these people were well-acquainted with seeking his assistance. This year, he hadn't supported the Third Prince but instead had taken up the Seventh Prince's cause. Perhaps hearing about this, they had come to this side.

But their gifts were excessively generous.

With his mind foggy, Ye Jiangbai didn't dwell on it too much. He waved his hand and said, "Send them back to Minister Xia of Jiangzu. Let him pay a visit to the Third Prince; they mustn't go to the wrong place."

"Yes," Liang Ce agreed, looking at Ye Jiangbai with concern. "Should we invite a physician to examine you?"

"No need," Ye Jiangbai frowned. "It would be troublesome."

Chang Nian softly urged, "It's better to see a doctor, just in case it worsens."

Ye Jiangbai stubbornly shook his head, refusing to consent.

Chang Nian studied him for a moment before suddenly asking, "Does Duke Guo fear seeing a physician?"

Ye Jiangbai: "..."

"Are you really that afraid?" Chang Nian chuckled. "How old are you? What's there to be afraid of in a physician?"

"Shut up!" He snapped, collapsing onto her cushioned couch and frowning. "I need some rest."

"No, please don't," Chang Nian pleaded, taking the bowl from Hong Ti's hands. "You can't just sleep like this; you'll get sick. You were already exposed to the wind, and you haven't even changed your clothes since coming back."

Her constant chatter was like the buzzing of mosquitoes.

Ye Jiangbai opened his eyes, glaring fiercely at her. "If you keep nagging, I'll throw you out!"

Normally, Chang Nian would have cowered and fled, but the weakened Ye Jiangbai before her looked like a delicate, ailing beauty, even in his glare, which carried a hint of vulnerability.

Without thinking, Chang Nian reached out and pinched his chin.

Ye Jiangbai: "...?"

"Good boy, no more tantrums. Just take a few sips first," Chang Nian said, realizing her impulsive action. Immediately, she applied more force with her hand, prying open his mouth, and began pouring the ginger soup inside.

Ye Jiangbai struggled with all his might!

"Sigh, ginger soup is good for warming the body. I only have your best interests at heart. Don't act like a child and refuse to drink it," Chang Nian said, exasperated. "Why are you rolling your eyes at me?"

Pushing her away with all his might, Ye Jiangbai wiped his mouth and asked bitterly, "Do you know why I won't drink it?"

"Dislike the taste of ginger soup?" Chang Nian blinked.

"No," Ye Jiangbai gritted his teeth. "Because it's scalding hot!"

Who would force feed a patient boiling hot soup? Was this care or attempted murder?

Chang Nian: "...."

Feeling guilty, she tested the temperature of the ginger soup and let out a dry laugh. She put down the bowl and turned to Liang Ce. "We should still call a physician. Prescribe some medicine for the cold, and... some medicine for burns."

Liang Ce retreated, sighing in amazement.

"I want to rest for a while," Ye Jiangbai pointed to the chair opposite him. He then said to Chang Nian, "Your Highness, if you don't mind, please sit there."

Feeling that she was in the wrong, Chang Nian obediently shifted her position and sat down across from him.

Ye Jiangbai appeared genuinely unwell, lying down with his eyes closed, his brows knitted together in a constant frown.

After a moment, Chang Nian tiptoed over to him, tucking the blanket around him gently. Then she lowered her head for a closer look.

This man had an exceptionally noble and handsome countenance. If he were to visit a fortune teller, he would undoubtedly receive nothing but compliments – a broad forehead, a straight nose, and when his fox-like eyes were closed, they lost their sharpness and cunning, instead exuding a softness that invited touch. And then there were his lips...

His lips were very soft, something Chang Nian was well aware of.

A person like this, if he were to live as a well-bred noble son, would enjoy a life of luxury and honor for his entire existence.

But it seemed he desired much more.

Her finger lightly brushed against the center of his forehead, and Chang Nian whispered to herself, "Wouldn't it be better not to be so greedy? I'll give you everything I have."

Upon saying that, she found the notion ridiculous.

What did she have, really? Her family's wealth was meager, and the only substantial sum of money she possessed had come from him. Without him, she would have been sent away long ago, unable even to offer a proper thank-you gift.

Retracting her hand, Chang Nian sighed.

In the days leading up to the New Year, Duke of State fell ill due to "overexertion," requesting three days of absence from court.

The emperor was deeply saddened and praised the Duke of State in the imperial audience for his dedication to the nation. He then dispatched a messenger to deliver tonic herbs to the duke's residence.

At once, all officials, great and small, presented their visiting cards to the Duke's mansion. Chang Nian, with nothing else to do, amused herself by watching at the gate. Whenever she encountered an influential figure, she would take the card in to show Ye Jiangbai.

Wrapped in a plain robe, Ye Jiangbai lounged on a soft couch, barely lifting his eyelids as he listened to her excited chatter. "Not seeing anyone."

"Why not?" asked Chang Nian. "This person is a respected elder who has served three reigns."

With a frustrated glare, Ye Jiangbai replied, "Hasn't Your Highness learned anything after being with me for so long? A simple statement that I'm too ill to receive guests can grant a few days of peace. If I were to selectively meet people, it would only invite trouble."

Chang Nian stuck out her tongue, appearing earnestly receptive to his lesson.

Ye Jiangbai coughed and suddenly asked, "Is there an invitation from Third Prince?"

Flipping through the cards, Chang Nian said, "I haven't seen one. Third Brother must be very busy these days. I heard there's been some trouble."

Ye Jiangbai pursed his lips. With more access to information than Chang Nian, he was well aware of what had transpired. It was likely that someone had caused difficulties for Third Prince – quite normal, considering the significant power he wielded. Such a large piece of meat was not easily swallowed.

The Third Prince was no weakling; he had the ability to handle matters on his own, so Ye Jiangbai didn't intervene too much.

However, given the circumstances, the Third Prince should have been the first to send his condolences. Yet there had been no word from him up until now? A faint sense of unease stirred in Ye Jiangbai's heart as he glanced at Zhao Changnian before him.

The young fool was stroking the golden-edged letter of condolences, his face filled with admiration as he said, "To gild even a letter of condolence, that is truly extravagant."