Seeing that Ye Ren showed no mercy, Zhao Shi staggered back, her face full of resentment.

 

“Ye Chuan, you little…”

 

Before she could finish cursing, a deep voice interrupted.

 

“What’s going on? Why all the noise?”

 

Ye Zhenghuai, his face dark with anger, stepped out from the main gate of the Ye family mansion. The commotion had clearly caught his attention, and a servant had reported the situation to him.

 

As he reached the doorway and saw the crowd gathered, his frown deepened.

 

Why so many people?

 

Then he spotted Ye Chuan standing at the center of the commotion.

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s temper flared immediately.

 

It must be that rebellious son causing trouble again!

 

“Master!” Zhao Shi rushed forward, relieved to see her husband.

 

“Master, please help! Save Er Chuan!”

 

“Ye Chuan, this child, I don’t know what has gotten into him, but he insists on putting Er Chuan in danger!”

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s face turned grim as he glanced at Ye Cheng, who was slumped on the ground.

 

“What exactly happened?”

 

Ye Cheng was so frightened that he trembled all over, his mouth open but unable to speak.

 

“Second son, you explain!” Ye Zhenghuai, already irritated, turned to Ye Ren.

 

“Yes, father.”

 

Ye Ren, calm and collected, narrated the incident step by step, not adding anything extra or exaggerating.

 

After hearing the full account, Ye Zhenghuai’s expression darkened.

 

How did they get themselves into this mess?

 

Hadn’t I told them to bring Ye Chuan over politely?

 

How did they end up involving the grandson of General Li Xuanwu in all this?

 

This rebellious son of mine, Ye Chuan, is actually close to General Li’s grandson?

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s face grew even darker, and his mind raced as he turned to Li Wuling.

 

“Is it true that you are the grandson of General Li Xuanwu?”

 

He spoke in a much more polite tone than before.

 

Li Wuling narrowed his eyes.

 

“You are Ye Zhenghuai, the Minister of Rites, right?”

 

Ye Zhenghuai froze for a moment, feeling somewhat awkward.

 

Despite being an official of the imperial court, he was now addressing a young man who, although the grandson of General Li, was still a civilian with no official title, and worse still, was his junior. Li Wuling’s attitude was surprisingly rude.

 

“I see you recognize me, hehe… As for my relationship with General Li…” Ye Zhenghuai forced a smile.

 

“Cut the act!”

 

Li Wuling didn’t spare him the slightest courtesy and directly interrupted, “Let’s get to the point. Was it public or private business?”

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s lips twitched.

 

“Are you implying…”

 

“You son attacked me, so isn’t it only fair that I return the favor?” Li Wuling said with a narrow-eyed smile. “You indulge your son’s violence, and since you didn’t discipline him, I’ll do it for you!”

 

In front of so many onlookers, Li Wuling’s words were quite humiliating for Ye Zhenghuai. The crowd buzzed with murmurs, some eager to watch the drama unfold.

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s face turned ashen.

 

This matter was nothing but a petty squabble between the younger generation. Even if it got to the emperor’s ears, His Majesty wouldn’t care about a mere fight between two youngsters.

 

The reason he had been so polite earlier was because of his respect for General Li Xuanwu.

 

But after being insulted repeatedly by a junior, Ye Zhenghuai could no longer hold back.

 

“Come here!” Ye Zhenghuai snapped.

 

Two servants quickly stepped forward.

 

“Take Ye Cheng and punish him in front of everyone—twenty strikes!”

 

The servants hesitated, casting a cautious glance at Zhao Shi, but they didn’t act immediately.

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s anger flared. “What are you waiting for? Are you defying me?!”

 

The servants flinched in fear, quickly pinning Ye Cheng to the ground.

 

“Father! No, please!” Ye Cheng cried out in terror, his face pale.

 

“Master, please, Er Cheng…” Zhao Shi couldn’t bear it, her heart aching as she tried to speak.

 

Ye Zhenghuai shot her a cold glance.

 

“Mother, when my older son makes mistakes, the people see it, and we must give them an answer. How else would I maintain my position in the court?”

 

Ye Ren stepped forward to console Zhao Shi.

 

Zhao Shi bit her lip, heartbroken, but reluctantly suppressed her emotions, glaring at Ye Chuan.

 

It was all this little beast’s fault!

 

The debt from the last two days will be settled with you sooner or later!

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s expression softened, and he cast an appreciative glance at Ye Ren.

 

It was still his second son, Ye Ren, who understood the greater picture and was the easiest to deal with.

 

Meanwhile, the servants had already picked up two long sticks and began striking Ye Cheng repeatedly on the backside!

 

“Ahhh!”

 

“Owww!!”

 

“Father, please spare me! I was wrong!”

 

Ye Cheng cried out, each scream tearing at Zhao Shi’s heart as she wept for her son.

 

Her hatred for Ye Chuan deepened with each blow.

 

Ye Chuan, however, felt no remorse. In fact, he only sneered inwardly.

 

This is just the appetizer.

 

“Uncle, my son has committed a mistake, and I will punish him myself.” Ye Zhenghuai said indifferently as he looked at Li Wuling. “No need for outsiders to intervene.”

 

“I’ve already carried out the family punishment, and that should be enough for both you and General Li.”

 

“The Ye family still has matters to attend to. We won’t keep you any longer, nephew, please.”

 

Ye Zhenghuai, no longer polite, straightforwardly dismissed Li Wuling.

 

Li Wuling narrowed his eyes.

 

As expected, what his grandfather had said was true. These scholars in the court were not easy to deal with.

 

Ye Zhenghuai had punished his son, showing that he had handled the matter fairly, and it was neatly resolved.

 

If Li Wuling insisted further, his rightful position would be weakened.

 

“You think you can just walk away like this?” Li Wuling’s voice grew sharp.

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s temper flared again, but he quickly realized the respect Ye Chuan had earned from the emperor, so he held back.

 

“Ye Chuan, whatever conflicts you have with your brother, that’s your family business. Solve it behind closed doors.”

 

“Don’t stir up trouble, trying to drive a wedge between us!”

 

Ye Zhenghuai said sternly, his eyes flashing a warning at Ye Chuan.

 

He believed that Ye Chuan had been the one to instigate this issue with Li Wuling.

 

In his eyes, although Ye Cheng lacked capability, he was always honest and dutiful. He couldn’t fathom why he would attack anyone without cause.

 

If Ye Chuan knew what his father was thinking, he would probably laugh out loud.

 

This old fool had been completely brainwashed by Zhao Shi and her son.

 

“Family business? What family business do I have with you?” Ye Chuan scoffed coldly.

 

“If Li Wuling wants to settle scores with you, that’s between you two.”

 

“I’m here to collect my debts!”

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s patience finally wore thin. He growled, “Collect debts? What debts?!”

 

“Ask your dear eldest son.” Ye Chuan’s voice was mocking.

 

Ye Zhenghuai’s face turned grim, and he gestured for the punishment to pause.

 

The servants stopped their strikes.

 

Ye Cheng, already sobbing uncontrollably, was covered in tears as Zhao Shi wept for him.

 

“Speak up. What happened?” Ye Zhenghuai demanded.

 

“Father, don’t listen to him!” Ye Cheng, foolish as always, pulled out a stack of banknotes from his pocket.

 

“These are all my own money!”

 

“Ye Chuan saw an opportunity and falsely accused me of taking his money!”

 

“Father, I’m innocent!”