After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Chapter 149 I felt like I could destroy the world.

Inside the Peony Pavilion room, four people sat opposite Ye Mian. After dividing up the silver notes on the table, they began to discuss political affairs.

"The Liu family has been making quite a stir lately; they might already be investigating us. We must be on guard!"

The speaker had a furrowed brow and deep worry in his eyes.

"What's gotten into the Liu family? They're at odds with the Tang family now. I haven't offended them, so they shouldn't be able to trace it back to me!"

"We still have Prince Jing around, so we can't let our guard down."

Chen Guojiu squinted, his nonchalant and lazy voice drifting out.

"Does the Imperial Uncle mean that the Liu family and the Prince Jing's mansion are joining forces?"

Ye Mian was surprised. He had already suspected that Ye Yaoyao had other people behind her besides the Liu family.

Thinking about how Prince Jing protected her at the palace banquet, it wasn't impossible.

Based on his years of understanding of the Liu family, the old Marquis had always insisted on being loyal only to the Emperor, so why would he turn to Prince Jing?

Having been the son-in-law of the Liu family for so many years, could it be that the Liu family had been wary of him from the very beginning? The more Ye Mian thought about it, the more alarmed he became.

"Brother Ye, what's wrong with you? You look so pale."

Ye Mian calmed down and said, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things and felt a little uneasy."

"Alas! Brother Ye, how did you become estranged from the Liu family?"

The speaker shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with regret.

If anyone was truly pitiful, it was Ye Mian; everyone else looked at him with pity.

"An anomaly has appeared in our household. The recent upheavals in the court are caused by her. Please help us get rid of her."

Ye Mian gritted his teeth, his face full of ruthlessness.

"She's just a woman, how could she really have such supernatural powers?" Chen Guojiu didn't believe that Ye Yaoyao really had the abilities Ye Mian described.

"After these few disasters, I truly believe that this wretched girl has some supernatural powers."

Ye Mian looked distressed, his brows furrowed tightly, and he reached down to touch his back.

"My wife is still making a fuss, sending people to keep a close eye on me, which is really infuriating."

"Tell me, I haven't offended that vixen of yours, so why is she picking on me?"

"Brother Lu, I'm sorry, I wanted to teach that wretched girl a lesson, but I'm powerless to do so."

While the mother and her children were away, Ye Mian had someone push him out of the house and looked at Lu Xiuliang apologetically.

"I see that you have absolutely no fatherly authority."

Lu Xiuliang snorted coldly and glared at Ye Mian.

Ye Mian was speechless at Lu Xiuliang's words. He was right. He could only suppress the bitterness in his heart.

"That wretched girl is eloquent and has a knack for infuriating people. I want to take action but I'm powerless to do anything about it. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have."

“She’s still your daughter, no matter what. I think you just can’t bring yourself to do it,” one of the officials said sarcastically, not wanting to get involved in his family affairs.

"That wretched girl is just lucky; I really can't do anything about her."

"Does anyone still remember Ye Xiumu?"

"Why did the Imperial Brother-in-Law mention him?" Ye Xiumu is Prince Jing's man; it's not their place to be anxious.

"Once he returns, the winds of change in the capital will shift."

"The Emperor's brother-in-law means that the Emperor has agreed to his return."

Ye Mian had never met Ye Xiumu, only knowing that he was the future father-in-law of the Prince of Jing.

Chen Guojiu looked at Ye Mian, his mocking gaze sending chills down Ye Mian's spine.

The others also looked at Ye Mian, and after being reminded by Chen Guojiu, they remembered Ye Xiumu's appearance.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

The gazes of the group were filled with pity, sympathy, mockery, and ridicule, making Ye Mian want to flee in panic.

"Do you remember what the Princess said at the palace banquet?" Lu Xiuliang patted his shoulder to remind him.

There was only one thing about Ye Xiumu, Ye Mian said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Who is that mysterious heiress of the Ye family...?"

"We don't know that, but speaking of appearance, your witch does look quite similar."

Lu Xiuliang no longer held a grudge against Ye Mian for giving birth to such a vixen.

Ye Mian understood what they meant, his eyes widened. Ye Yaoyao was not his daughter; Liu Yunshu had cheated on him.

When he woke up drunk that year, Liu Yunshu was sleeping next to him. He thought that he had spent the night with her and that Ye Yaoyao was born.

Thinking of Liu Yunshu's reaction after Ye Yaoyao's birth, he confirmed that Ye Yaoyao was not his daughter, and his face turned ashen.

Although he didn't like this daughter, being deceived and knowing that the entire court knew he had been cuckolded filled Ye Mian with a sense of utter despair.

Ye Chengzhu passed by Zuixianglou and was attracted by the noise inside. After thinking for a moment, he went in.

The room was packed with people. Hearing the praises of the crowd, he smiled when he saw Xin Chuli coming down from upstairs and tried to walk around the back of the crowd to chat with her.

Seeing her walk to Ye Lian'an's side, watching him paint with a smile on her face, and seeing the two of them so close, she felt a pang of disappointment, glared at Ye Lian'an, and left.

Xue Ruoxue had a habit of personally tidying up Ye Chengzhu's study. After organizing the books, she saw a note.

[A chance encounter with a beautiful woman in the garden, a thread of affection binds us together.]

Xue Ruoxue picked up the note, examined it carefully for a moment, and immediately understood a few things.

After returning home, Ye Chengzhu seemed to have lost his soul and was constantly absent-minded.

Seeing his expression, Xue Ruoxue smiled faintly and tentatively asked:

"Seungjo, what's wrong with you?"

"nothing."

Ye Chengzhu lowered his head, his face gloomy, and answered in a muffled voice.

"Son, don't keep anything on your mind. Tell me and I'll give you some advice."

"Mother, it's really nothing."

"Even if you don't tell me, I can guess a thing or two. Is it for some girl?"

Ye Chengzhu looked up at her, his face slightly flushed.

"Mother, don't make wild guesses."

Seeing this, Xue Ruoxue smiled: "I've been through this before, how could I not understand what you're thinking? Tell me quickly, whose daughter is she?"

Ye Chengzhu's eyes instantly darkened, and he finally spoke: "Miss Xin, Xin Chuli."

"Xin Chuli!" Xue Ruoxue exclaimed in surprise.

"I like her."

Ye Chengzhu looked resolute, his eyes revealing an unwavering determination. He briefly recounted his encounter with Xin Chuli, and Xue Ruoxue frowned upon hearing it.

"Lord Xin is a favorite of the Emperor, Madam Xin has a good relationship with Liu Yunshu, and Xin Chuli is often by Ye Li'an's side. She is not suitable for you."

Ye Chengzhu's face revealed a ruthless look that was not typical of a scholar, and he looked determined to win.

“Apart from my background, I am no worse than Ye Lian’an. Xin Chuli will definitely be mine in the future.”

Looking at her son's expression, Xue Ruoxue wondered if he really liked Xin Chuli or was just trying to compete with Ye Li'an.

Seeing the ruthlessness on his face, she knew he would be even more ruthless than Ye Mian in the future. That was for the best; with a powerful son, she would have someone to rely on.

"Yes, whatever kind of girl you want, you'll definitely have her in the future."

"Mother, I can't wait any longer."

"what?"