On New Yearās Eve, while the family was eating dinner, Old Mu arrived.
It turned out that ever since the event of Lele being named prince the previous night, a thick scent of gunpowder had pervaded the Luo Residence. Old Madam Luo berated Ye Ziāanās mother for being unfilial, for doing meritorious deeds without informing the family, and for allowing Ye Ziāan to reap the benefits instead.
As she cursed, she also said Ye Ziāan was unfilial, just like his mother, unfilial for not visiting her after arriving in the Capital City, and his wife had even insulted her during the palace banquet, showing an utter lack of manners.
Old Mu, infuriated, insisted that he had forbidden Ye Ziāan from visiting and did not allow him to acknowledge the Luo family. In the Luo Residence, it was enough for Ye Ziāan to recognize only him as an uncle.
After having a big argument with Old Madam Luo, who was so angry that she couldnāt eat, Old Mu naturally could not stay in the Luo Residence. His own son and daughter were not there, so he came to Ye Ziāanās place.
Even after having dinner, Old Mu did not return to the Luo Residence, and he didnāt show up there for several days straight, disappointing those who sought to curry favor with the General.
The second day of the new year was the day for daughters-in-law to visit their maternal homes. Commandery Princess Dongyangās maternal home was in Yunnan, Yang Chuxiaās was in Funan, and with no maternal homes to return to, Commandery Princess Dongyang and Mu Shaoling paid a visit to Yang Chuxiaās place on this day. As it happened, Old Mu was also there, creating a lively atmosphere.
Upon entering, Mu Shaoling looked at Lele with a smile that wasnāt quite a smile and said, "Should I pay respects to our little prince?"
"What do you think?" Lele asked calmly in return.
Mu Shaoling was taken aback. Why were the Ye familyās boys always so hard to deal with?
Couldnāt he just say no need?
"Does your father pay respects to you?" Mu Shaoling finally asked after a while.
Lele rolled his eyes, speechless, and quickly left the scene. He began to deeply wonder who Brother Chengcheng would take after.
Mu Shaoling thought to himself that this bratty child sure had personality.
"Alright, stop teasing my son. Come with me! I have something to discuss with you," Ye Ziāan said.
Subsequently, the two headed to the study, one after the other.
Old Mu was instructing Yangyang in martial arts, and seeing that the others didnāt call for him, and guessing it wasnāt anything urgent, he didnāt follow them.
In the study, Ye Ziāan rolled up his sleeves.
Mu Shaoling also readily felt for his pulse.
"How is it?"
Mu Shaoling furrowed his brows tightly, his expression grave. It was only after a long pause that he reluctantly shook his head.
"Sigh..." Seeing this, Ye Ziāan sighed, "It seems that oneās life really canāt be too smooth-sailing, or even the heavens canāt stand it."
"Hmph, with all the ups and downs of your youth, you call that smooth-sailing?" Mu Shaoling snorted, "Donāt worry, Iāll do everything I can to cure you, even if it costs me my old life."
"Doing your best is enough," Ye Ziāan said gently, "Just in case Iām not around, please take extra care of them for me."
"Nonsense!" As soon as the words were out, Mu Shaoling slammed his hand on the table, his eyes blazing with anger, "Youāre belittling my medical skills by thinking that I canāt cure you!"
Ye Ziāan looked at him in surprise and shook his head, "Why go to such extremes? Life and death are predestined."
Mu Shaoling was silent for a long while before he finally asked, "Have you told Xiaxia?"
"No." How could he broach such a topic with her?
"You wonāt be able to hide it for long," Mu Shaoling said, "Although the disease is progressing slowly, the symptoms will eventually become more and more obvious. Even a fool will be able to see thereās a problem."
Ye Ziāan sighed. "Then weāll discuss it when it can no longer be concealed." He never expected to be afflicted himself.