The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 672: Chapter 672: Reunion

Several months had passed, and the young man had shed his former boyishness. His skin was much darker now, making his features seem sharper and more handsome. His black armor outlined a frame that was clearly stronger and taller. Seated high upon his horse, he looked like a newly drawn sword—

The very picture of heroic valor!

The next moment, the young man on horseback seemed to sense something and looked their way.

Upon spotting Ye Chutang and her companions in the teahouse, Ye Yunfeng’s eyes immediately lit up!

He immediately raised a hand and waved vigorously.

”Sis—!”

The young man’s clear voice carried over the distance, catching everyone’s attention. They couldn’t help but look toward him, then follow his gaze.

—In the spring breeze, a woman in a Haitang-colored dress stood by a teahouse window. Her jet-black hair was swept up in a simple bun, her complexion was as fair as snow, and her beauty was clear and unparalleled.

Beside her stood a young man in sky-blue brocade, refined and handsome, with the dignified bearing of a true gentleman.

And there was a little girl, who looked to be five or six years old, fair and adorable. Her large, grape-like eyes were wide and shining as she waved her little arms with all her might in response to Ye Yunfeng.

At a glance, they looked as if they had stepped out of a painting.

Someone in the crowd recognized them and cried out in surprise,

”Isn’t that Second Miss Ye?”

”Which Second Miss Ye?”

”Who else could it be? It’s Ye Chutang, of course! And those next to her are her third brother and youngest sister!”

”It really is her!? Wait! What did that little general call her? ’Sis’? Then doesn’t that mean he’s—”

”Ye Yunfeng! The young hero who achieved the highest honor at Long City—it’s actually Ye Yunfeng!”

As the realization dawned on the crowd, an uproar erupted!

They had only heard that the recent swift victory was thanks to a fledgling little general.

They never imagined that this person was none other than Ye Chutang’s fourth brother—Ye Yunfeng!

Many people in the capital had heard of Ye Yunfeng, but they only knew him as Ye Chutang’s fourth brother, who was skilled at horsemanship and archery at the Imperial College.

They knew little else about him.

So how could they not be shocked to suddenly see Ye Yunfeng returning alongside King Yan Nan?

King Yan Nan noticed this as well and looked up. ”Is that your sister?”

Ye Yunfeng nodded with a smile. ”Yes!”

King Yan Nan studied Ye Chutang for a few moments before nodding. ”I’ve often heard you speak of how capable your sister is. Seeing her today, I can tell she truly lives up to her reputation.”

Her bearing alone was not something an ordinary person could possess.

King Yan Nan had weathered the storms of half a lifetime; what kind of person hadn’t he met? His judgment was naturally sharp.

Hearing the king praise his sister made Ye Yunfeng even happier than if he had been praised himself. The pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.

King Yan Nan said, ”I should let you go reunite with your sister and the others, but we have important business to attend to. I’m afraid they’ll have to wait.”

Ye Yunfeng nodded. ”Rest assured, I understand.”

After speaking, King Yan Nan seemed to think of something and glanced back toward Ye Chutang’s group, a pensive look on his face.

’Logically, Ye Chutang and the others knew Ye Yunfeng was returning. After such a long separation, the siblings must miss each other terribly.

’And yet, they hadn’t joined the crowd below. Instead, they had chosen a teahouse to the side. Despite their longing, they were content to simply watch from a distance.

’It was as if they’d already known we wouldn’t be stopping here after entering the city...’

In fact, that was exactly the case.

The most important task for King Yan Nan upon his return to the capital today was to escort Tuoba Yu to the palace.

Naturally, Ye Yunfeng had to go with him.

’Could it be that Ye Chutang had predicted even this?’

The thought had only just flashed through King Yan Nan’s mind when, in the next moment, he heard a familiar voice.

”Father!”

Amidst the noisy crowd, King Yan Nan instantly recognized the voice. His heart skipped a beat as he looked up.

Ahead, Princess Qingyang—who had been waiting for who knows how long—could no longer contain herself upon seeing him. She leaped off her horse and ran straight for King Yan Nan!

Everyone knew who she was, so of course no one would dare block her path.

Princess Qingyang raced forward like a blazing flame, stopping right in front of King Yan Nan!

”Father!”

Princess Qingyang’s heart pounded in her chest. As she looked up at the familiar yet strangely distant face, her eyes instantly grew red.

’She hadn’t seen him in years, and he had aged so much.’

King Yan Nan had wanted to tell her to go home first; it wouldn’t do to have the entire procession held up here.

But when he opened his mouth and saw the redness in her eyes, the words caught in his throat.

A thousand emotions surged in his chest, rising and falling like tumultuous waves!

He didn’t dare blink, his gaze fixed tightly on her.

’The fearless little girl from his memories, the one who was afraid of nothing and always trailed behind him, had grown into a graceful young woman.’

King Yan Nan took a deep breath and sighed emotionally.

”I can’t believe our Yue’er has grown so tall...”

His tone softened, and his usually cold, stern face revealed a rare warmth.

It was a tenderness and sincerity reserved only for his daughter.

King Yan Nan wanted to reach out and touch her face, to ask her if she had been well in the capital these past few years. But in the end, he didn’t dismount. He only rubbed his hands together awkwardly, a hint of pleading in his voice.

”Yue’er, I have some business to attend to shortly. Why don’t you head back first? I’ll come home to see you later this evening, all right?”

He expected Princess Qingyang to be displeased by his words, but to his surprise, she simply nodded.

”I know you have official duties, Father, and I won’t hold you up. I just... I just wanted to see you... As long as you’re alright, I can rest easy!”

Princess Qingyang sniffled, managing to hold back her tears.

”Chutang and the others are still waiting for me at the teahouse, so I’ll be going now. Don’t you worry about me, Father!”

King Yan Nan froze.

’Ye Chutang?’

’The teahouse?’

He instinctively glanced up again, and his eyes met Ye Chutang’s.

From a distance, Ye Chutang gave him a slight bow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

King Yan Nan grew even more certain of his earlier suspicion: ’Ye Chutang had truly anticipated everything that would happen today. She had even factored Yue’er into her plans.

’And Yue’er... she seemed to have changed so much as well.

’Were all these changes a result of her friendship with Ye Chutang?’

A myriad of thoughts flashed through King Yan Nan’s mind. He quickly looked away from the teahouse, his gaze returning to Princess Qingyang, now filled with pride and relief.

”Good!”

Now that Yue’er was so sensible, he was spared the trouble of having to persuade her.

In the past, she would have certainly thrown a tantrum to go with him.

King Yan Nan felt a mix of emotion and joy. He suppressed the slight pang of sorrow; happiness was, of course, the prevailing emotion.

”A Feng told me you’re very close with his sister. Go on, then!”

Having seen him in person and confirmed he was well, the worry that had been weighing on Princess Qingyang’s heart for so long finally lifted. A bright smile spread across her face.

”I know!”

She quickly turned and ran toward the teahouse.

King Yan Nan watched her leave, then glanced back. His tone turned to ice.

”Bring the prisoner forward!”