klisemfg Chapter 172 Ye Li'an, You're a Bastard
Chapter 172 Ye Li'an, You're a Bastard
Early in the morning, the main street of the capital city was bustling with excitement as the newly appointed top scholar, second-place scholar, and third-place scholar paraded through the streets, drawing crowds of people.
At the forefront, drums and gongs led the way, colorful flags fluttered, and a banner reading "Passing the Imperial Examination" was held aloft. Festive music was played to show that the procession was celebrating with the people.
Ye Lian rode a white steed, wearing a bright red robe and a dazzling gold-flowered hat. He stood tall and had an imposing presence.
With sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, he was riding high on his success.
Following closely behind was Ji Anshi, the second-place finisher, who wore a royal blue brocade robe, which made him appear even more refined and handsome.
Hearing the people's praise, he repeatedly bowed to the people on both sides to express his gratitude, and he was in high spirits.
The third-ranked scholar, Liu Tiansheng, wore a moon-white robe with a gold belt around his waist, making him appear even more dashing.
Wearing a brocade robe makes one look more refined than wearing coarse cloth clothes, and there is even a sense that it is impossible to tell whether one is male or female.
The procession that followed included lion dancers, acrobats, and people carrying loads of fresh flowers and fragrant fruits, with petals fluttering all the way.
Fragrant fruit was a highly sought-after fruit among the people, and it was given to young children in abundance.
“Baby, if you eat this fruit, you will become a top scholar when you grow up.”
A young woman, holding her three-year-old son, excitedly fed him fruit.
The girls lining the street, captivated by the three talented men, lost all restraint and shouted:
"The top scholar is so handsome, I want to marry him!"
"The second-place finisher has quite the air about him; he smiled at me."
"The third-ranked scholar is so handsome, he's my dream lover!"
Young women, holding flowers, stood in the crowd, throwing them at the talented men they admired.
"The top three winners this year are all so good-looking!"
"Ah! The third-ranked scholar used to sell paintings on the street, and I actually bought one of his paintings."
“I bought it too. My painting was introduced to me by the top scholar. It’s unheard of for a top scholar to sell a painting by a third-ranked scholar.”
Ah! I was so happy to be so close to those two people. I will keep that painting as a family heirloom.
"Girl, you're so lucky."
Ye Yaoyao and her friends waited at Zuixianglou. They stood on the second-floor windowsill, holding the simple, specially made fireworks that Ye Yaoyao had created.
The young master of the family achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, and Manager Lin, along with his waiters, stood outside distributing celebratory candies and fruits to the people.
"Why aren't they here yet? I really want to see what the fireworks look like when they go off!"
Xin Chuli examined the long, round tube in her hand.
"It's just some colored paper. Don't worry, don't worry, we'll put it up together when my brother comes. It'll look really nice!"
The procession gradually approached Zuixianglou.
"They're here!" Everyone rushed to the windowsill.
Ye Yaoyao quickly picked up the firework tube and shouted, "Ready, fire!"
With excited expressions, the group pulled the fuse together, and instantly, countless colorful confetti strips shimmered in the sunlight, fluttering down like a dazzling rain of flowers.
"Wow! How beautiful!" The people downstairs exclaimed in amazement.
Ye Li'an looked up and saw the group of people having fun on the second floor, looking like they were in a dream under the colorful confetti.
The system received news of Ye Li'an's successful rescue and awarded points. Suppressing its excitement, it mechanically issued a notification.
[Host, your older brother's rescue mission was successful! Congratulations!]
[Haha! Big brother's fate has been successfully saved, next up is sister! We need to hurry and marry her off to Cousin Qi.]
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiyao blushed.
Ye Jingyang was happy for Ye Li'an, but felt somewhat helpless thinking that he still had a long way to go.
"Big brother, you're so handsome!" Ye Yaoyao shouted excitedly.
“The second-place scholar is also good-looking,” An Ruyi said.
"The third-ranked scholar looks even more handsome today." Liu Langyue nodded in admiration.
Liu Tian waved to them, and the people above responded enthusiastically.
Unlike the enthusiastic cheering crowd, a pair of sinister eyes were watching them from the alleyway.
After touring the entire imperial city, the spirited young man was exhausted.
Ye Yaoyao waited for them to have their meal, and Ye Li'an hosted a banquet for Ji Anshi as well.
"You guys go ahead, I'll be there in a bit."
Ye Lian walked into the alley. Liu Tiansheng, unaware of what he was going to do, took Ji Anshi away.
The sound of wheels rolling could be heard in the alley. Ye Chengzhu struggled to turn the wheels. He had secretly come out alone, knowing that the top three winners were parading through the streets today, but he still couldn't resist going out to watch.
Ye Li'an appeared in front of him. Seeing the scholar's robes, Ye Chengzhu suddenly stopped turning his wheelchair and almost fell off.
The wheelchair was the same one Ye Mian had used, and Ye Yaoyao laughed at them for following in their father's footsteps.
[Father and son take turns sitting on it; Ye Mian really got his pen holder for a bargain.] Ye Li'an thought to himself.
"I just felt a sinister gaze. It was you, Brother Chengzu."
"Ye Lian, did you come here to laugh at me?"
"Fine! You can think of it that way if you want," Ye Li'an said with a faint smile.
Ye Chengzhu gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment, and said bitterly:
"Don't be too proud of yourself. This top scholar title may not guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor!"
Ye Lian crossed his arms, a sneer playing on his lips:
“Brother Chengzu, you should worry more about yourself now that you're in this state! Our good father will probably abandon you.”
"Ye Li'an, so you knew all along. But what if you became the top scholar? You're just a stepping stone. As for me, Ye Mian wouldn't dare to abandon me."
Ye Li'an's eyes flickered slightly. There's a big difference between not daring and not knowing. What else does he have to rely on?
"Hmph! You think you still have a chance? I never took you seriously before. You could never be my match, and now you're more like a stray dog."
Unexpectedly, Ye Chengzhu suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, Ye Li'an, don't be too happy yet. Things in this world are ever-changing! You can't always be this lucky."
Ye Li'an was surprised; he had said such harsh things, so it seemed that Ye Chengzhu really did have a way to deal with him.
"That's still better than you being crippled now."
Ye Chengzhu had been enduring Ye Li'an's insults, but he finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Ye Li'an, don't be so smug. You're just a bastard. I am the eldest son of the Ye family."
One day, everyone will know you're a bastard. So what if you're the top scholar? You'll be scorned and cursed. I'm waiting for that day.
Ye Li'an's eyes flashed. Bastard? What does that mean? His mother was deceived by Ye Mian and had been the legal wife for eighteen years. How could he be a bastard?
"Nonsense! I think you've completely gone mad."
Ye Li'an looked disgusted, slapped him to the ground, and turned to leave.
"I'm not crazy, you're just a bastard."
Ye Chengzhu fell to the ground, still shouting, "Ye Li'an, you'll get your retribution..."
Ye Li'an walked out of the alley without looking back, leaving Ye Chengzhu standing there, roaring angrily and helplessly.
Finally, they were found by the servants sent by Xue Ruoxue.
"Get lost! I don't need your help! I'm not crippled!"
Ye Chengzhu struggled to climb onto the wheelchair, repeatedly saying that he was not disabled. His legs, which had just been healed, were rubbed raw and bleeding again, and then he fainted.