Chapter 220 – Unwelcome Guest

The imperial capital, Su Residence.

Ultimately, Madam Yu couldn’t resist Su Yi’s persuasion and moved into the grand mansion with six gates with her son, who had now risen to an esteemed ministerial position.

After listening to Su Yi's nagging, she realized that he had a point. Even if it was only for the sake of her son’s future political prospects, they needed to live in a suitable mansion. Otherwise, they’d become the subject of ridicule.

Since Su Yi was now a senior first-rank official, more and more people visited and left their calling cards. Entertaining such guests in their old, leaky, small flat-roofed house simply wouldn't do.

Worried that his mother might feel lonely, Su Yi not only hired a steward but also brought in numerous servants to attend to her. They would accompany her around the courtyard, letting her enjoy the pavilions and flowing streams.

Although his mother never had any complaints, no one knew a mother better than her child. Su Yi could tell that she wasn’t as comfortable here as she had been in their old courtyard home.

One day, the Su Residence received a guest.

Ye Fan sat in the front hall of the Su Residence, smiling as he chatted with Madam Yu.

Madam Yu was wearing coarse cloth and handmade embroidered shoes. She looked no different from any ordinary commoner. Sitting across a small table from Ye Fan, she held one of his hands with a beaming smile and asked, "Are you my son's friend?"

Ye Fan replied with a smile, "Madam, you have a sharp eye. I am Ye Fan, one of his close friends."

Madam Yu’s face lit up with a wide grin.

"Not bad, not bad. My son doesn’t have many friends his own age like you. Most of the visitors to our home are old geezers who speak in fancy sentences. Just hearing that pretentious scholarly air tells me they’re bureaucrats. I don’t care for their company at all."

Old geezers...

Ye Fan couldn’t keep his eyebrow from twitching. To draw attention away from it, he picked up his teacup and sipped awkwardly, forcing a laugh. "

Ha... haha

..."

"You should spend more time with my boy. I’m afraid all his dealings with those old men might sap his youthful spirit," Madam Yu said, patting the back of Ye Fan’s hand. Changing the subject, she asked, "By the way, Young Master Ye, are you married?"

Ye Fan choked on a mouthful of tea.

Madam Yu quickly patted his back, chiding him, "Drink slowly. Young people are always so impatient."

Catching his breath, Ye Fan waved his hand helplessly and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I... I am not yet married."

"Oh..." Madam Yu nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Do you have an estate or business of your own?"

Ye Fan gave a wry smile. "Just a small business. I own a teahouse in the western part of the city."

The moment Ye Fan said this, Madam Yu’s eyes lit up. Seeing her expression, Ye Fan knew this wouldn’t end well. Sure enough, before he could speak, Madam Yu continued, "Doing business is wonderful! Young and already owning your own property. How are you not married yet? Let me take the liberty of playing matchmaker for you!"

"No, no—" Ye Fan quickly tried to wave her off but was interrupted by Madam Yu.

"When I lived on Hulu Street, there was a tailor named Liu at the end of the street. His daughter is at the prime age of sixteen, and waiting for marriage," Madam Yu said enthusiastically. "Miss Liu is beautiful... She's a perfect match for you, Young Master Ye!"

Ye Fan suppressed his urge to flee and, with the most sincere look he could muster, cupped his hands and said to Madam Yu, "Thank you for your concern, Madam... but I truly, truly am not in a hurry!"

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Of course, Ye Fan knew Hulu Street well. Previously, when Ye Beizhi brought Chi Nanwei to the capital, he had arranged for them to stay at the Fuzhao Courtyard on Hulu Street. His spies had thoroughly investigated the residents of the street.

Regarding the tailor Liu’s daughter that Madam Yu mentioned, Ye Fan did have an impression of her. She wasn’t wrong, the Liu girl could indeed be considered pretty, but there was one thing that Madam Yu did not mention... the daughter of the Liu family had a lame leg, which was likely why she remained unmarried to this day.

Ye Fan discreetly cast a suspicious glance at Madam Yu, he wanted to confirm if she was deliberately trying to set him up.

Seeing Ye Fan’s refusal, Madam Yu looked visibly disappointed, casting him a regretful glance as if saying,

you’ve missed out on too much.

"Speaking of Hulu Street..." Madam Yu seemed to suddenly recall something and turned to Ye Fan.

"When I lived at the Fuzhao Courtyard, there was a young couple next door, one called Ye Beizhi and the other Chi Nanwei. They had a great relationship with my son. Since you’re Xiao Yi’s friend, do you know them?"

Relieved that Madam Yu had finally shifted the topic away from him, Ye Fan quickly replied, "Yes! Of course, I know them!"

Madam Yu sighed. "I don’t know what happened to them. One night, they just disappeared, as if they left in a hurry. They didn’t even pack up their belongings or say goodbye. Oh my!"

She suddenly turned to Ye Fan. "My boy told me he didn’t know, but I’ve watched him grow up. Can’t I tell when he’s lying? He just doesn’t want to tell me. Do you know where they went?"

Ye Fan paused for a moment before smiling. "Madam, don’t worry. I don’t know much about this, but I do know a little. It seems that Young Master Ye took Miss Chi back to his hometown to visit family."

"Visit family?" Madam Yu looked at Ye Fan with doubt. "As far as I know, they aren’t married yet... Why would they suddenly go back to visit his family?"

Ye Fan calmly wiped the sweat from his brow. "They... They went back this time to get married and... visit his parents at the same time."

Madam Yu seemed ready to ask more, but Ye Fan knew that if the conversation continued, he wouldn’t be able to keep up his story. Quickly, he preemptively asked, "Why hasn’t your son come out yet?"

"He’s in the study dealing with official business..." Madam Yu glanced toward the inner courtyard and stood up. "Wait here, I’ll go call him for you."

"No need," Su Yi said from behind a screen, "I’m here."

Su Yi emerged from behind the screen and walked over to support Madam Yu. "Mother, you go rest first. I have matters to discuss with Young Master Ye."

"Go ahead and talk." Madam Yu nodded, then reminded Su Yi, "Spend more time with Young Master Ye. It’s better than being around those old scholars all day."

Su Yi nodded obediently.

After seeing Madam Yu off, Su Yi instinctively wiped the sweat from his brow and turned back to face Ye Fan.

"Why are you here?" Su Yi’s tone wasn’t welcoming. He still remembered that their last meeting hadn’t ended on friendly terms.

Ye Fan didn’t answer. Instead, he leisurely took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Why are you standing there? Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with your mother behind the screen? Aren’t you tired from standing?"

"Hmph!" Su Yi snorted coldly but walked over and sat down in the main seat.

Ye Fan glanced at Su Yi and chuckled lightly. "I can tell that Madam Yu isn’t happy living in this grand mansion... Surely Lord Su knows this better than an outsider like me."

"Get to the point!" Su Yi’s brows furrowed. "Did you come to my residence just to chit-chat?"

"Madam Yu probably doesn’t have anyone to talk to in this mansion, does she?" Ye Fan tilted his head as he looked at Su Yi. "Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chatted so much with me. Every word and sentence led back to the Fuzhao Courtyard. It seems she still misses those days."

"Mr. Ye, don’t push it!" Su Yi erupted, glaring at Ye Fan with wide eyes.

Ye Fan didn't stop teasing Su Yi. "Lord Su's rank has risen, and so has your official demeanor."

"You!" Su Yi sprang to his feet and turned to leave with a flick of his sleeve. "Someone! Show the guest out!"

Seeing Su Yi about to leave, Ye Fan finally straightened up.

"Wait."

Su Yi turned back and saw that Ye Fan now wore a serious expression. He waved off the servants waiting outside the door and sat back down. "Finally ready to talk business?"

Ye Fan’s gaze turned grave as he stared directly at Su Yi and said, "I’ve come this time to deliver an important message."

Su Yi’s eyebrows twitched. "What message?"