194: Chapter 194 Reminiscing

Wei Yuan gave a bitter smile. "We just received confirmed news that the Sixth and his friend did not return to Huaidu."

"And his friend, Rong Baichuan, is indeed a Yuanwu intelligence operative. This line was laid down when Father was still alive; we provide some intelligence to the Yuanwu people, but generally, we do not directly participate in their operations."

"You know, both the Fifth and the Sixth have unstable temperaments. The Fifth's position is good, and he is under our nose."

"That's why I originally arranged for the Sixth to take over this line; I wanted to keep him away from the center of the vortex."

"But who could have imagined that on this trip back, he would suddenly get dragged into it."

2nd Division Commander Wei Jun leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Wei Yuan stopped pacing and sat back in his chair with a pained expression.

Gritting his teeth, he asked, "So, it's confirmed that he has indeed fallen into Ye Qingzhou's hands?"

"It can basically be concluded."

Wei Cheng stood up again. "If this matter is reported, countless hungry wolves will swarm over. We must extinguish it in time. I will make arrangements to grab Ye Qingzhou immediately and force them to submit! First, let's get the Sixth back!"

But Wei Yuan shook his head. "And then what? Will Ye Baiyan let it go? He won't. He will immediately report the matter to His Majesty, and then His Majesty will order our good brother-in-law to purge the Wei Family."

"Either he agrees, and we fight amongst ourselves first. Or he refuses, and the authorities will immediately issue a decree to strip him of his Governor's hat."

"By that time, the Song City military will start fighting with his garrison divisions, and then the great army from Huaidu will come to suppress the rebellion."

"Do you think he is prepared to rebel?"

Wei Cheng's face darkened further. "Then what do we do? Do we just watch the Sixth get captured and do nothing? Even if we were willing, this matter will still be reported!"

"Therefore, we must talk to Ye Qingzhou now, which means talking to Ye Baiyan."

"Talk? How do we talk! What bargaining chips do we have?"

Wei Yuan picked up the letter again and waved it at the two of them.

Just then, someone outside announced loudly, "The second son of the Duke of Huaicheng, President of the White Clothing Society, Young Master Ye Qingzhou has arrived!"

"Both of you, be polite. Do not show even a shred of hostility. I will do the talking."

The two nodded one after another.

A dozen seconds later, Ye Qingzhou, dressed in formal attire, arrived at the entrance of the hall and bowed slightly to the three from a distance.

"Greetings, three uncles."

Wei Yuan was the first to smile and greet him. "Qingzhou, you are truly dashing. Just your appearance alone puts our Wei Family's young people to shame."

The two brothers, Wei Cheng and 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun, also followed with greetings.

"Young Master Ye, nice to meet you for the first time."

"Young Master Ye, welcome."

"This is hardly the place to talk. Come, come, come, sit inside."

Wei Yuan affectionately pulled Ye Qingzhou into the hall and led him to sit down and served tea.

Although Ye Qingzhou sensed they were showing weakness, he also understood that the Wei Family was by no means an easy opponent. They wouldn't have invited him over suddenly just to drink tea.

Was Wei Jian's matter exposed?

That shouldn't be the case.

His own people were strictly selected by the family; the possibility of a leak was basically zero. Besides his own people, the only ones who knew were Tang Long and his group.

Tang Long... First he sold Wei Jian to him, and now he's selling him to the Wei Family? Is that possible?

Ye Qingzhou couldn't believe it. Because Tang Long had just formed his first interest-based tie with him, and there was still a lot of room for future cooperation. Even if that person was extremely cunning, he shouldn't be doing such a thing now. If it wasn't him, then who could it be?

"Nephew, since you came to Song City, this is your first time visiting my home, right?"

"I was afraid of delaying your studies before, so I didn't dare to disturb you. I heard you are about to graduate; you shouldn't be too busy lately, right?"

"How is your father's health recently?"

"Don't be reserved; treat this place like your own home. Your father and I fought side by side back in the day; we have a friendship forged in life and death."

"Taste this; this is Wind Whisper Tea from Blue Sea. It's quite rare. See if you are used to drinking it."

Wei Yuan's small talk and politeness made Ye Qingzhou feel uncomfortable all over.

He reluctantly responded with a few words, took a sip of tea, and couldn't help himself.

"Uncle Wei, you invited me over so urgently; is there something the matter?"

Wei Yuan smiled and set down his teacup. "Nothing much. But since you asked, Nephew, it would be inappropriate for me to beat around the bush anymore. I just heard some rumors saying that my sixth brother, Wei Jian, has been detained by you."

"Rum... rumors?" Ye Qingzhou was shocked, and his heart sank.

"How is that possible? I know my own weight; how would I dare to do such a thing? Besides, I have neither the ability nor the reason..."

Before he could finish, Wei Yuan reached out and pressed his hand down.

"Nephew, don't be agitated. I believe this must be a rumor; that's why I invited you over to discuss it, isn't it?"

If you believe it's a rumor, then why discuss it? What is there to discuss? After all, this is Song City, the Wei Family's territory. Ye Qingzhou couldn't help but feel a bit afraid at this moment, afraid that the Wei Family would be driven to desperate measures.

"That's right, it must be a rumor! Uncle Wei, these rumor-mongers must be severely punished once caught."

"Of course." Wei Yuan said with a smile, "I am in charge of legal affairs in Song City; naturally, I will not show mercy to lawbreakers."

"But sometimes, some cases are indeed difficult to handle."

"For example, at your First Specialized Academy, there was a case of intentional injury before. I heard the perpetrator was the granddaughter of former Chief Miao."

"Nephew, if you encountered such a thing, what would you do?"

It would have been fine if he hadn't mentioned Manman, but the moment he did, Ye Qingzhou's anger flared up.

I've already sold that woman to someone else; you want to use her to threaten me? Childish! If I crack Wei Jian's treason case, I'll be promoted at least three ranks! Even if we were to make a deal, the price you're offering is too insulting!

He quickly darkened his face and replied, "Uncle Wei, the law does not tolerate sentiment. Whatever you want to do with it, I support it."

Wei Yuan laughed loudly. "Look, I told you! As expected of a Royal Young Master; your awareness is truly different. Even if your fiancée commits a crime, you won't bend the law for personal gain."

Wei Cheng and 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun both nodded with smiles, looking approving.

But Ye Qingzhou could see that hidden within their approval was mockery.

Hmph! Let you be smug for a moment, so what? I am a Royal Young Master; unless you rebel immediately, I don't believe you dare to touch me!

Then Wei Yuan picked up the letter and handed it to him.

"Nephew, please take a look at this letter."

"A letter? What letter?"

"Forgive me for keeping you in suspense; you will understand once you take a look, Nephew."

Ye Qingzhou took the letter and opened it. After only a few glances, sweat streamed down from his temples.

This was shockingly a letter between his old man, Ye Baiyan, and the great rebel of that year, Guan Tai. It contained many disrespectful discussions about the late Emperor, and vaguely even some hints about 'doing a great thing together'.

Damn it... If this were sent before the Emperor, his old man's head would probably be on the chopping block, right? If his old man was finished, what would happen to him?

Just as he was lost in thought, the letter in his hand was suddenly snatched back by Wei Yuan.

"Nephew, drink some tea."

Ye Qingzhou's face twitched, and he could only force himself to stay calm and pick up the teacup again to take a sip.

"In the blink of an eye, it's been many years since I last saw your father. Could you give him a call and let me reminisce with him?"

Ye Qingzhou, having no choice, took out his phone and dialed his father directly.

A few minutes later, the call connected. The voice on the other end asked, "Qingzhou? What is the matter that you need to call me directly? Do you have progress there again?"

Ye Qingzhou's voice trembled slightly. "Fa... Father, I am currently a guest at the Wei Family. Uncle Wei Yuan would like to speak with you."

The other end was silent for a few seconds. "I understand. Put him on."

Wei Yuan smiled as he took the phone handed over by Ye Qingzhou, his voice immediately rising a few notches. "Hello, Brother Baiyan, this is Wei Yuan."

"Brother Wei Yuan, hello, hello."

"Brother Baiyan, it's been over a decade, how is your health?"

"Heh, I won't complain to you. Work is heavy; I'm not as good as before."

"Yes, in the blink of an eye, we are both over fifty. Thinking back to those days, when we followed the Sixth Imperial Uncle to crusade against Guan Tai, how high-spirited we were. Now, we are both useless."

"Brother, you are too modest. I am busy with state affairs every day, exhausted. You are enjoying a leisurely life in Song City; why do you have this tone?"

"Look at you, what family doesn't have its own share of trivial matters? Just today, a strange wind blew up; rumors are spreading outside that Qingzhou has some conflict with my sixth brother. It's my fault for not inviting Qingzhou to sit at my home sooner. It's a pity you aren't here; later, I'll have Qingzhou drink a few more cups for you."

"That's fine. While he is in Song City, I will have to trouble you to take care of him more. I'll have him toast you a few more cups for me."

"It's not a matter of taking care of him; Brother Baiyan, you are too polite. However, I can guarantee you that as long as the Wei Family does not fall, Qingzhou will not lose a single hair."

"When you come to Huaidu, let me know in advance. I will definitely push aside all affairs and have a good drink with you, brother."

"It's a deal then. I won't take up too much of your time; we'll talk again when there's a chance."

"Alright, goodbye."