“Ren’er, you…”

 

Zhao’s expression was a mix of shock and anger, and she found herself at a loss for words.

 

Handing over Shengde Building was like cutting off a piece of her flesh.

 

It was absolutely impossible!

 

However, Ye Ren paid no attention to his mother and, with a serious expression, turned to Ye Zhenghuai. “Father, we must be decisive. There’s no room for hesitation!”

 

He lowered his voice and continued, “This matter has already escalated. If we don’t make a concession, Third Brother will never back down!”

 

“There are many common folk watching. Father, the greater good must come first!”

 

After hearing this, Ye Zhenghuai’s expression wavered. His gaze darkened for a moment, and after a long pause, he finally made his decision.

 

Ye Ren was right.

 

If handing over Shengde Building could settle the current chaos, it wasn’t a loss.

 

After all, if things escalated to the capital and drew the attention of Li Xuanwu, it would eventually reach the Emperor’s ears…

 

The consequences would be unimaginable!

 

Weighing everything, Ye Zhenghuai finally nodded, his face grim.

 

Ye Ren’s lips curled into a faint smile.

 

He knew his father would agree.

 

He then turned to Ye Chuan, “Third Brother, is this satisfactory to you?”

 

Ye Chuan looked back at him, and their eyes met once again, a silent understanding passing between them.

 

“Second Brother is certainly fair. I’m quite satisfied.”

 

Seeing Ye Chuan agree, Ye Zhenghuai felt a sense of relief. He cast a cold glance at Ye Chuan and, with a flick of his sleeve, said, “The rest will be handled by Ren’er.”

 

With those words, Ye Zhenghuai turned and left the house, not wanting to be in the same place as Ye Chuan any longer, and certainly not wanting to further embarrass himself in front of the public.

 

As for the Emperor’s warning to treat Ye Chuan better…

 

That was no longer an issue.

 

He had given away Shengde Building, wasn’t that enough?

 

Zhao also wore a displeased expression, giving Ye Ren a silent, reproachful glance before following Ye Zhenghuai out.

 

Ye Ren, undeterred, calmly ordered, “Bring the deed to Shengde Building, the house contracts, and all accounts and personnel lists. Ensure that everything is handed over properly to Third Young Master.”

 

…

 

The chaos finally came to an end.

 

Ye Chuan, filled with excitement, left Ye House, accompanied by Li Wuling and Ye Ying’er.

 

The crowd gradually dispersed, and hidden among them, Lin Zhao was left feeling a headache coming on.

 

The Emperor, Lord Xuanwu, those two old men, each one with hundreds of schemes!

 

They had insisted he persuade Ye Chuan to participate in the Imperial Examination.

 

Watching everything unfold earlier, Lin Zhao’s mind went blank.

 

Now they wanted Ye Chuan to take the exams? What a joke!

 

With Shengde Building in hand, Ye Chuan would be receiving money effortlessly every month. With his personality, would he really care about the exams?

 

While feeling frustrated, Lin Zhao began to think further.

 

From the events today, it was clear that the conflict between Ye Chuan and Ye Family was beyond repair.

 

Ye Zhenghuai had failed as a father, unable to recognize the treasure in Ye Chuan and blindly doting on his useless eldest son. Truly foolish!

 

It seemed Ye Chuan also harbored resentment toward the family.

 

Perhaps… this could be used. Lin Zhao thought to himself. Maybe they could exploit Ye Chuan’s desire for revenge against Ye Family, and trick him into entering the examination to start a career?

 

Sigh…

 

After thinking for a while, Lin Zhao sighed.

 

It was all up to the Emperor. If the Emperor truly wanted to promote Ye Chuan, a single word from him would be enough.

 

Why go through the trouble of getting Ye Chuan to sit for the exam?

 

…

 

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace.

 

“Father, there’s no need to say more!”

 

“I will never marry that Ye Chuan!”

 

Princess Yunxi had changed into her royal attire, and her face was filled with fury.

 

Emperor Xuanwu sighed helplessly with a wry smile. “I saw everything that happened today.”

 

“You were there?!”

 

Yunxi was momentarily stunned, then her anger flared even more. “If that’s the case, Father should understand why I’m so determined!”

 

“Yes, I understand…” Emperor Xuanwu smiled again, but this time, there was a trace of sadness.

 

He knew Yunxi too well.

 

Even if Ye Chuan had acted inappropriately, openly declaring his intentions to marry someone else while still bound by the royal marriage contract, that was likely not the reason Yunxi was angry.

 

This child, she was just like him when he was young—stubborn, proud, and always concerned about her dignity!

 

“Alright,” Emperor Xuanwu said, his tone resigned. “Since my daughter is so upset, claiming she is not inferior to a servant girl, watching her future husband be taken away while she can only seethe in silence, what more can I say? Do as you wish.”

 

Yunxi was momentarily taken aback, but her face flushed as she waved her hands in protest.

 

“What are you saying? That’s completely irrelevant!”

 

“Who says I’m inferior to others?”

 

“I’m not going to fight for him! Ye Chuan isn’t even worth it!”

 

Yunxi’s face was bright red, her frustration evident as she stomped her foot.

 

“Hmmm, I understand, I understand,” the Emperor said with a straight face. “You’re not at all interested in Ye Chuan!”

 

“Definitely not because Ye Chuan likes someone else and you’re angry!”

 

Emperor Xuanwu’s tone was deadpan.

 

But the more serious he appeared, the more Yunxi lost her composure.

 

The maid Ping’er, who was standing nearby, struggled to hold back her laughter, finding it difficult to suppress her amusement.

 

Only the Emperor could control the Princess so thoroughly.

 

“Aha!”

 

“Father! If you keep this up, I’m really going to get angry!”

 

Princess Yunxi puffed her cheeks, looking as cute as she was furious.

 

“Look, I’m just agreeing with you!” Emperor Xuanwu kept his tone solemn, though he was holding back a laugh. “But on another note, I do think it’s a pity…”

 

“A pity?” Yunxi scoffed, clearly uninterested.

 

“The mountains are still young, yet the snow turns white…”

 

Emperor Xuanwu muttered to himself, clearly reflecting on something.

 

“With such a beautiful line, and considering the history between you two, it would be a shame if this couldn’t happen. It would be a legendary tale for all of Daxia.”

 

Hearing the line Ye Chuan had composed, Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but feel something stir inside her.

 

She did like that line…

 

It was precisely because of this that she had felt a strange emotion when she saw Ye Chuan earlier.

 

And it was because of this that she had become so angry…

 

How annoying!

 

Her mood, already irritable, was now made worse as she sulked in silence.

 

Emperor Xuanwu saw his chance.

 

“Yunxi, actually, after you left, I had a talk with Ye Chuan.”

 

Yunxi instinctively turned her head. “What did you talk about?”

 

But when she saw the Emperor’s teasing expression, her face immediately turned red, and she turned away quickly, her voice flustered. “None of your business! I don’t care!”

 

Emperor Xuanwu couldn’t hold back his laughter and chuckled.

 

“Actually, Ye Chuan does like you,” he said, feigning seriousness.

 

“Hmph, I don’t care,” Yunxi insisted, though her tone softened slightly.

 

“He also told me that, to show his sincerity, he plans to take the Imperial Exam and aim for the top three before asking for my hand. He wants to be worthy of you!”

 

At this, Yunxi’s eyes widened, her expression shifting.

 

“Did he really say that?”

 

“Lin Zhao and your Grandfather Xuanwu heard it too.”

 

Emperor Xuanwu remained calm, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

 

Yunxi fell silent for a moment, her mind a whirlwind. Her heart raced slightly.

 

Emperor Xuanwu sighed inwardly.

 

Ye Chuan, Ye Chuan… it all depended on whether you had the talent to back it up!

 

If you don’t make the top three, not even the Emperor’s favor will make up for Yunxi’s heart.