Chapter 2359 - 23061: Ten Years Later

Until one day, when a young general named Ye Batian gained fame in the north by severing the head of a tribal leader, Ye Zi’an finally knew where the boy was.

He vaguely recalled the previous days in court when the Emperor praised this young general for yet another military achievement, casting a teasing glance at him. Ye Zi’an felt both proud and somewhat helplessly amused.

Clearly, the Emperor already knew that Ye Batian was Yangyang, and the boy used this name he was always reluctant to acknowledge, perhaps wanting them to know he was doing well now.

"I mean, you—you’re so grown up, why haven’t you found a wife yet?" As soon as Ye Zi’an walked into the Bamboo Courtyard, he heard Yang Chuxia urging someone to get married. It wasn’t hard to guess; she was talking about Lele again.

Since last year, Yang Chuxia had been constantly pushing Lele to hurry and get married. If Lele hadn’t insisted that he wanted to find his own wife, Yang Chuxia would have taken care of it for him long ago.

Lele, now seventeen, had grown into a refined and handsome young master just like Ye Zi’an, with delicate features and a tall, jade-like figure. Walking in the Capital City, he was like a picturesque scene that made people stop and admire.

Upon hearing his mother’s words, he ungracefully scratched his ear, "Oh, my dear mother, I’m only seventeen, not twenty-seven. How can you say I’m so grown up?"

"Besides, I’m not the only one who hasn’t married." Lele scoffed, "The Eldest Imperial Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince haven’t had their grand weddings yet either. They’re princes, and even they’re not in a rush, so why should I be?"

"And most importantly, my dear brother hasn’t married either." Yangyang, while marching, sneezed heartily.

"Big brother, don’t poke at mom’s heart." Yueyue, now thirteen and a grown girl, was still cold-natured but much gentler with family. She loved a good retort sometimes, "Second brother has been away for four years now, so even if mom wants to talk about him, she can’t. Anyway, even if he were in the Capital City, he couldn’t marry; Hua’en is still so young."

Lele couldn’t help but give her a pat, "You talk too much."

Then he looked at Yang Chuxia again, "Mom, seriously, you have time to worry about my affairs. You might as well think about welcoming your sister. I’ve received intel; my aunt and uncle will be arriving in Capital City shortly."

"Sigh, your aunt has been away from Capital City for ten years. I wonder how she is now."

Indeed, Yang Chuxia’s attention was successfully diverted.

Yes, Yang Xiayun and Luo Linhao were returning to the capital. Since they left ten years ago, time flashed by.

Now, the Great Zhou is stable, the national strength is flourishing, and the southern small countries are all well-behaved. Baili Yan finally kindly allowed Luo Linhao to return to the capital, and a new general was dispatched to the south.

"Surely she is doing very well." Lele said, "My uncle is like my father, so my aunt’s life can’t be bad."

"Sigh, your aunt is not a concern." Yang Chuxia fretted again, "But your brother, he hasn’t sent a letter for a whole year. Who knows when he’ll come back."

Lele was speechless at how quickly his mother changed the topic.

"When that brat comes back, see how I’ll deal with him." The thought was annoying—he left for so long, not by her side for years; it really didn’t sit well in her heart.

"Mom, just don’t say that." Yueyue retorted once more, "In past years, every time second brother left a letter and went away, you’d say the same thing. But when he came back, you’d hold him and scrutinize him with endless worry."