The Double-Chapter 467 - 149 Appearance_2

Ye Mingyu snorted. In earlier years, not a single New Year gift was exchanged, and the two families were like strangers. Now, surprisingly, they’ve thought of sending New Year gifts; it’s truly baffling. But one must not reject a friendly overture, and since it was Jiang Li, his own niece, who took the initiative to give gifts, he couldn’t spurn her goodwill. So Ye Mingyu said stiffly, "Alright, thank her and your father and the old madam for me. In a few days, when I have bought the New Year gifts, I will send them back to the Jiang Residence."

Jiang Li knew about Ye Mingyu’s grudge against the Jiang Family, so she smiled and changed the subject, and the two of them walked to Xue Huaiyuan’s courtyard.

Xue Huaiyuan sat in the yard, wearing a thick fur coat, and was reading a book. The fur coat, made from a tiger skin Ye Mingyu had hunted years ago, looked comical on Xue Huaiyuan. For someone as refined and elegant as Xue Huaiyuan to wear such an overpoweringly majestic garment was utterly incongruous. Yet, Ye Mingyu actually thought it was excellent: "This tiger fur coat is very warm! Wearing the skin of the king of beasts strengthens the body and imbues one with the courage of the Beast King. Look, isn’t the County Magistrate Xue’s health improving by the day?"

Seeing his enthusiasm, Jiang Li didn’t have the heart to dampen his spirit and just went along with what he said. Watching Xue Huaiyuan reading, her eyes filled with sadness. "He still doesn’t understand it, does he?"

"He doesn’t, spending the whole day staring at that same page. If not for my notice, one might really think he was reading and had regained his senses." He then sighed, "Ah, scholars are truly scholars. Even when they lose their wits, they know to keep hold of a book, which shows a noble spirit indeed."

Jiang Li looked at the figure of Xue Huaiyuan, and aside from the ill-suited fur coat, his silhouette now almost completely overlapped with that of his past. It was as though she could see her father as he used to be, sitting in the courtyard, earnestly reading a book. When she called out to her father, he’d turn his head and smilingly ask her, "What is it, Ah Li?"

The past and present intersected, but both she and her father were no longer the same as before.

During the quiet moment, Ah Shun suddenly came over, saying, "Master, Miss Biao, Miss Jiuyue has arrived."

Ye Mingyu laughed heartily, "Perfect timing, you must meet. "

Situ Jiuyue arrived quickly, this time not alone, but with a veiled woman at her side. Ye Mingyu was momentarily puzzled, for the woman did not look like a maid. He inquired, "Who might this be..."

"I used to be Miss Xue’s personal servant," Hai Tang began, "After following Miss Xue into marriage and due to various reasons became separated from her. Hearing that the master was in the residence, I specifically came to see him." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"A servant from the Xue Family?" Ye Mingyu paused for a moment, looking at Jiang Li. Jiang Li nodded at him, and Ye Mingyu said no more. He was not as familiar with the affairs of the Xue Family as Jiang Li was. Since Jiang Li seemed to think there was no issue, it was naturally fine.

Ye Mingyu glanced between Situ Jiuyue and Jiang Li, understanding the situation, and said, "You two talk; I’ll go outside for some soup."

Jiang Li smiled and nodded, and Ye Mingyu left the courtyard.

Situ Jiuyue took silver needles out of a wooden box, while Hai Tang already approached Xue Huaiyuan, who was engrossed in "reading" his book. Suddenly sensing someone before him, he immediately looked up at Hai Tang.

Hai Tang’s eyes reddened, "Master!"

Xue Huaiyuan just looked at her curiously, without saying anything. Hai Tang couldn’t hold back her tears and they burst forth. She had learned from the servants of the Duke Residence about all that had befallen Xue Huaiyuan, how Feng Yutang had tormented him, and if not for Jiang Li, Xue Huaiyuan would probably have been killed by Feng Yutang in Tongxiang by now.

In just a few short years, the once prestigious Xue Family was no more; a whole family destroyed, some dead, some mad. Hai Tang was overwhelmed with immense grief, unable to contain herself, and she began sobbing.

Jiang Li sighed and went to Hai Tang’s side. Xue Huaiyuan recognized Jiang Li, and upon seeing her, he immediately drew near with a grin. Jiang Li said, "County Magistrate Xue." She then took Hai Tang’s hand and pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom, handing it to Hai Tang with a soft voice, "Don’t cry, wipe your tears."

Hai Tang tried to restrain herself and eventually managed to stop crying, taking Jiang Li’s handkerchief to dry her tears, and said to Jiang Li, "Thank you, Miss Jiang the Second."

"You see, this is how County Magistrate Xue is now. Miss Jiuyue has been treating him all along, perhaps one day he will regain his senses, or perhaps..." She left off there, as everyone knew the unspoken truth.