Chapter 235: She Found Out

In truth, ever since Ye Xi's return, everyone at the Duke of An's residence had been pondering the same question. Ye Chang Geng speculated it was because the late Prince Chen's case had been vindicated, prompting their father's visit to pay respects to his aunt and to tend to the ancestral graves. Ye Rou guessed it was due to Jiao Jiao's impending marriage—to a prince no less—worrying their father. Madam Ye's thoughts were simpler and more direct: "He must be gravely ill, about to die, needing your care!" Ye Rou hastened to dissuade her mother. There were many men who, in their youth, lived frivolously and neglectfully, only to fall ill in old age and rely on their children for care. But Ye Xi was not such a man. Though absent from his family for over a decade, it was out of necessity to avoid danger and protect them.

Jiao Jiao voiced the question everyone was curious about. Even the dozing Ye Chang Geng gradually roused. "Jiao Jiao," he said in a tone that sought to reproach but softened with reluctance, "don't speak to father like that. He returned because—" Before he could finish, Ye Xi interrupted. "I came back because I missed home." He spoke slowly, solemnly, as if answering an imperial examination question.

The three siblings simultaneously parted their lips—one struck dumb, one moved to tears, one rolling their eyes. Miss home? Only after thirteen years away? No matter what, Ye Jiao knew she wouldn't get a clearer answer.

At that moment, Feng Jie arrived, asking if the meals should be placed directly in the East Courtyard for the young master's convenience. "That won't do," Ye Chang Geng said firmly, "too casual." "I think it's fine," Li Ce replied with a gentle smile sparkling in his eyes, "The cherry trees in Ye brother's garden are ripe. We'll dine beneath the blossoms, sipping wine and savoring cherries—that is refinement itself." 'Han Tao' was the elegant term for cherry.

The cherries blazed red against the verdant leaves—a quintessential early summer spectacle. "Go on then," Ye Jiao told Feng Jie, "Bring a spring stool. If brother tires from sitting, he can lie down and watch us eat." Ye Chang Geng coughed with a laugh, "That's just tempting him."

At last, the family's reunion bore the atmosphere of celebration. Yet Ye Xi handed Ye Chang Geng his medicine bowl and stood, saying, "There's still business at the temple. I must return first." Business at the temple? It was packed to the point people could barely stand. If not for Ye Xi's esteemed status, the temple master at Qingyao would have divided Ye Xi's cell to sell health elixirs.

"Father, please stay for the meal," Ye Rou quickly urged, and Ye Chang Geng reluctantly rose to persuade him. "No need," Ye Xi said, stepping outside. Passing by Ye Jiao, he spoke coldly, "Everyone has their fate. Lately, meddle less in affairs." Ye Jiao bowed her head, replying quietly, yet inwardly dismissed his words. These days, the greatest disturbance was Yan Congzheng—an affair she insisted on managing, for without his authority and the forbidden army under him, Prince Wei might have succeeded. She owed him a debt, and debts must be repaid.

After the homecoming banquet, aboard the carriage returning to the prince's mansion, Ye Jiao inquired about the promise made to Li Jing yesterday. Li Ce pressed his hand to his forehead, confessing, "The news came late at night—the child has passed." His eyes, deep and serene like a lake, betrayed no emotion, but Ye Jiao clearly felt his regret.

"So soon?" she murmured, recalling how Yan Shuangxu once proudly spoke of her own children at the Duke's residence, oblivious to Cui Jin'er's childlessness. Regardless of character, a parent's love for their children was universally heartfelt. Sadness swelled within Ye Jiao.

Li Ce drew back the carriage curtain and gazed outside, calmly remarking, "The child was frail from the start." Frail and frightened, coupled with the damp, dark conditions of the dungeon, made illness inevitable.

The carriage passed outside the West Market, where a peddler bore a yoke of wares: sewing supplies in the back basket, and his sleeping child in front. The yoke swayed as the child slumbered soundly, drool at the corner of his mouth. Children born into noble families were supposed to live safer, more serene lives than those in poverty.

"There's something," Li Ce said, "I've kept from you." He concealed it fearing she might act rashly. Having promised to keep her informed, he now revealed it. "What is it?" Ye Jiao asked.

Li Ce took her hand gently. "The Princess of Wei wants to see you." His voice was heavy, as if the mere mention of her name stirred loathing. Yet he continued, "She will surely try to sway you emotionally, begging you to save Li Beichen." Li Beichen, known affectionately as Hua Ge'er, was the eldest son of the Prince of Wei.

Some people take for granted that others will assist them, even if the favor leads to ruin. They exploit the kindness of the good until there's nothing left. Ye Jiao fell silent, a hush filling the space so deeply Li Ce grew uneasy—until her clear, resolute gaze met his.

"I lack the ability. Though I am soft-hearted and do not wish to see children die, you are responsible for the verdict in the Prince Wei treason case. Many eyes scrutinize you, waiting for a mistake to drag you down. If I recklessly agree to anything, it will both violate the law and put you in a perilous position." Li Ce's lips twitched; moved by her wisdom and understanding, he said softly, "Jiao Jiao, that you would consider so much for me…"

"You accepted this burdensome task," Ye Jiao understood, "for my sake, did you not? I must save Yan Congzheng, so you loudly petition the Emperor to keep your post. Now that you hold power, strive for fairness and justice; do not act capriciously."

Li Ce's eyes shimmered with unshed tears—whether from shock or gratitude, he could not say. For a long moment, he said nothing, simply enfolding Ye Jiao in his arms with a quiet hum that spoke volumes—relief, gratitude, and profound emotion.

"But—" Ye Jiao shifted, "I must still visit the prison. Whether for youthful friendship or the duty of sister-in-law, I must bid the other a final farewell." Other princesses would avoid it like plague, but Yan Shuangxu's last request named her.

"Don't go," Ye Jiao warned Li Ce, "If you do, it will be official business. Let Lin Jing accompany me; both personally and officially, there will be no misstep." Li Ce's gaze brightened with admiration. When had she learned such caution and political insight? A pang of sorrow struck him—she had once been so free-spirited and unrestrained. It was best to leave the capital soon.

"Very well," Li Ce draped a cloak over Ye Jiao and said, "The prison is cold—go swiftly and return quickly."

Women and men were held separately in the dungeon, so Ye Jiao did not see Prince Wei, Li Chen. Yan Shuangxu's cell was at the innermost corner. Though dark and damp, the cell was equipped with bedding and even a low couch for rest. Yan Shuangxu did not sit on it. She leaned against the cell door, her long hair unbound. The warden announced Ye Jiao's arrival, but she did not move.

Ye Jiao called softly, "Sister Yan."

The sound struck Yan Shuangxu like lightning. She spun around swiftly, slipping her hands through the bars and gripping Ye Jiao's arms so tightly it seemed as though she would pierce the skin.

"Let go!" Lin Jing stepped forward, his hand poised like a blade, ready to strike to restrain her. He stood ever vigilant beside Ye Jiao, like a wary leopard.

Ye Jiao blocked him gently, "It's alright." Two tears streamed down Yan Shuangxu's reddened eyes.

"Ye Jiao," she gritted her teeth, trembling violently, "are you satisfied now?" Ye Jiao stared silently, speechless.

"I should never have met you," Yan Shuangxu shook her head, drowning in remorse, "If I hadn't known you, Cong would never have known you. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have been beguiled into rescuing the Emperor! When I heard you were going to rescue the Emperor, I knew it was all over—utterly over!" She clutched Ye Jiao's arms, hysterical, "If you hadn't rescued the Emperor, my child wouldn't have died! She was so young, so very young! She suffered terribly—I could only see her off, to end her pain early."

"You saw her off?" Ye Jiao whispered in disbelief, "But today—" Today, there would be doctors and medicine. Yet to say this would only deepen Yan Shuangxu's guilt.

A wave of helpless sorrow flooded Ye Jiao's heart. She longed to comfort Yan Shuangxu but knew any words would only compound the anguish.

"Are you satisfied now?" Yan Shuangxu muttered again, loosening her grip slightly, her neck unable to support her head, which sagged against the bars—anguished, wronged, grief-stricken, yet pitiful.

"So, can you save Hua Ge'er? I can die, but can I beg you to spare him?" Ye Jiao clasped Yan Shuangxu's hand, sadness and helplessness in her eyes, shaking her head, "I do not possess that power."

"No," Yan Shuangxu insisted, voice rising, "You just don't want to help! You don't want to help!" Her tone grew frantic as she wept, "Aren't you afraid that one day you'll end up like me—locked in this dungeon, awaiting execution? If you save Hua Ge'er, Cong will remember your kindness and act for you!"

"No," Ye Jiao said resolutely, "neither Chu Wang nor I would ever conspire in rebellion."

"That's uncertain," Yan Shuangxu wept and laughed bitterly, "You and Chu Wang are merely pawns the Emperor uses to eliminate rivals and clear the path for the Crown Prince. Once we die, the Lu family is destroyed, and the next to fall will be you. Oh, and there's something you might not know—" Yan Shuangxu adjusted her hair and clothes with solemnity, leaned close to Ye Jiao's ear, and with a voice that pierced like thunder declared, "The Crown Prince… likes you!"

"What?" "Nonsense!" Ye Jiao instinctively retorted, stepping back.