Golden Age Legitimate Fei

Chapter 33: Sons of the Xu Family

At the entrance of Ye Manor, two refined young men alighted from the carriage. The one in front looked briefly at the steward standing at the entrance who was waiting to welcome them at the gates of Ye Manor. A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in the young man’s eyes.

With a disgruntled sound, he turned his heads towards the horse-drawn carriage and said: “It would seem like elder brother’s face isn’t enough. No one came to welcome us.”

The adolescent behind was older by two years. He glanced at the one in front and said: “Did elder brother allow you to accompany him to show off?”

The young man in front pretends he didn’t hear and made a silly face towards his older brother. “Who cares? I only came to visit older sister Li.”

“Xu Qing Yan, you need to pay attention to how you conduct yourself.” A calm voice said from within the carriage.

Xu Qing Yan looked towards his older brothers with wide eyes and complains despondently: “Second brother is even more fierce than eldest brother.”

Xu Qing Bai rolled his eyes at him. You know that he’s fierce, yet you still provoke him?

Standing on the side, the steward of Ye Manor was in an awkward place as he watched the two brothers of the Tu family talk. Apparently, these two brothers treated his invitation like it went in one ear and out the other. They had no intention of entering the door. Not to mention, there were still people in the carriage that had yet to show themselves. With hesitation, the steward didn’t know if he should step forth and offer another invitation.

Within the manor, an excited voice drifted towards the group. “Is that Fourth older brother and Fifth younger brother?” It was Ye Li.

Xu Qing Bai leaned over and looked at the young lady in green hurrying over to them. The gaze that was just filled with something a little peculiar thawed after Ye Li came. It was more tranquil and warm. “Li-er, I am your Fourth Older Brother. Do you still remember?”

Ye Li nodded slightly. Xu Qing Bai was the fourth child of the Xu family; he was about her age., being older by only one year. That was why, when she was still young, he was the person closest to her. Whenever she was with the Xu family, the two went to school and played together.

“Fourth Older Brother…”

“Haha, older sister Li-er, I am Qing Yan.” Xu Qing Yan rushed forth, not wanting to be left out.

Ye Li looked at the cute boy before her. Her lips curved into a smile and said: “Fifth younger brother is all grown up, looking more and more like eldest aunt. When you left the capital that year, you were still a little baby.”

Xu Qing Yan’s handsome face immediately crumbles. “Older sister Li is bullying me.”

“Where are Eldest brother, Second older brother, and Third older brother?”

The curtain on the carriage is lifted. Xu Qing Feng jumped off the carriage with a chuckle and said: “Fortunately, Li-er still remembers this Third older brother. Otherwise, Third older brother would be jealous.”

Two more young men, following the first, alighted from the carriage. The two were Xu family’s eldest son who is acclaimed to be the first Ranked Scholar, Xu Qing Chen, and second son, Xu Qing Ze.

“Li-er,” Xu Qing Chen, in a white robe, looked at Ye Li with a gentle smile.

Different from Xu Qing Chen’s elegant and refined aura, though Xu Qing Ze was just 19 years old, he was more mature and noble. It gave people the impression that he was cold and distant. Nevertheless, Ye Li could still see the love and warmth within his gaze.

“Eldest brother, second older brother.” Ye Li greeted in a small voice, her eyes slightly burning with unshed tears.

A bizarre feeling overwhelmed her. In this time, Ye Li thought that she had matured. Even though she had a lot of sisters within Ye Manor, Ye Li still felt alone and isolated. Suddenly seeing these brothers, it was as if she had returned to a time when her mother was still here and her uncles and grandfather had not left the capital. It was like in her previous life; though there were quarrels and bickering, it made people feel the warmth of a big family.

Xu Qing Chen tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and whispered softly: “These years have been tough on you, right?”

Ye Li shook her head. She felt like something was stuck in her throat, stopping the words.

“Third older sister, why are you letting our cousins stand on ceremony at the door? That is too discourteous. Hurry, invite them in.” Ye Ying steadily walks forward an in an elegant way said to Ye Li. She turned towards Xu Qing Chen and lightly afforded him the proper ceremony. “Ying-er greets Qing Chen older cousin.”

Xu Qing Feng, standing behind his older brother, scratched his nose awkwardly. How many times has he visited Ye Manor? Ye Ying’s eyes were on top of her head and had never shown him such respect.

Ye Ying’s face changed and she forced out a giggle.

Ye Li quickly adjusts her mood and, with a smile, said to Xu Qing Chen: “It was Li-er that was rude. Eldest brother let’s enter. Father and grandmother are waiting for all of you.”

Xu Qing Chen nodded. On the side, Xu Qing Ze signals towards the carriage and a servant from the Xu family retrieved the gifts from the carriage. With respect and reverence, the servant followed behind everyone as they entered the manor.

Ye Li walked alongside Xu Qing Chen and Xu Qing Ze. She asked: “Eldest brother, are eldest uncle and aunt doing well?”

Xu Qing Chen nodded and smiled. “Mother stayed at Yun Zhou. Father is also well, but the journey was long and he’s a bit tired. He’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Eldest uncle and eldest brother’s group had already arrived. Why didn’t you inform Li-er ahead of time so that I could go and welcome you?” Ye Li complained softly.

Xu Qing Feng walked behind and chuckled. “You can’t blame me on this. Eldest uncle didn’t want a grand welcome. It was only after they had already arrived and settled into a manor within the capital that my father found out.”

Ye Li understands her eldest uncle’s temperament. He doesn’t like those uncomfortable customs and rituals.

She laughs and said: “Then tomorrow I will go and greet eldest uncle. Are Lin-mama and Wei-mama doing well?”

“Very healthy, Lin-mama and Wei-mama are completely loyal to auntie. The two of them are willing to follow younger sister to Prince Ding of the First Rank’s Manor. That’s why grandfather allowed the two to come with us.” Xu Qing Ze said.

Ye Li nodded and didn’t want to add anymore small talk. She felt even guiltier towards her grandfather. She couldn’t serve her grandfather in old age and even caused him to worry about her.

Xu Qing Chen looked down and gently patted Ye Li’s shoulder. “Don’t think too much. As long as you live well, grandfather will be very happy.”

“I understand.” Ye Li replied.

From a distance, Ye Lin and Ye Shan looked at all the son’s of the Tu family gathered around Ye Li. They turned and saw Ye Ying’s gloomy face. The two exchanged a look.

Ye Lin looked at Ye Ying and carefully asked: “Fourth older sister… these people… are all older brothers of Third older sister?”

Ye Ying looked up and fiercely glanced at them. Ye Lin had never seen such a menacing expression on her sister’s face before. Scared, she took a few steps back, almost bumping into Ye Shan.

Ye Lin heard Ye Ying’s chilly laugh. Ye Ying said contemptuously: “Younger sister should give up. What kind of family is the Xu family? You aren’t qualified!”

Once Ye Ying finished speaking, she ignored Ye Lin’s response and kept walking.

Dazed by Ye Ying’s words, Ye Lin’s youthful and beautiful face fell apart. Thinking about Ye Ying’s meaning, shame filled her.

Ye Shan looked at her and shook her head. “Older sister’s mood is not good. Why did you go and bother her? Walk faster. If we are late, grandmother’s mood will be ruined.”

Ye Lin had not put much thought into it. Lately, she hadn’t been feeling well and Ye Shan would try to comfort her. As she turned around she saw that not even a shadow was seen and quickly followed Ye Shan.

Hall of Melodies

“This one of the younger generations have brought along his brothers to greet Old Madam… greetings uncle-in-law.” Xu Qing Chen moved forward first and performed the proper greetings towards the two. Afterwards, the others also accorded the two the proper ceremony. Old Madam Ye looked at the five young men standing in the hall that was already famous throughout the world. Xu Qing Chen was handsome and elegant. Even though Xu Qing Yan was only thirteen, his face was noble and he had a refined demeanor. Though she might be unwilling to admit it, she still had to say that the Xu family taught their offspring much better than the Ye family.

Old Madam Ye’s eyes flashed brightly. She hurriedly said: “We are all family. These greeting rituals and ceremonies could be suspended. How is your father?”

Xu Qing Chen stood tall and elegantly replied: “Father is doing well, but the journey was long and he is tired. That is why he was unable to come and greet Old Madame. Would Old Madam please forgive father?”

Even though this was just empty words, Old Madam Ye couldn’t add more. She laughed and said: “The journey is arduous. He should rest more. Rong-er, come over here and greet your older cousin.”

Ye Rong, standing beside Wang-shi, wanted to say ‘what,’ but saw his father closely observing him. Reluctantly, he stepped forward and said: “Rong-er greets older cousin.”

Ye Rong was not a calculative person. Furthermore, he couldn’t even keep up a good facade. He didn’t like Ye Li. Of course, he wouldn’t like Ye Li’s cousins either. Therefore, even though he was warned by father and grandmother, he couldn’t completely hide his true intentions. Even when he was greeting, his movements were perfunctory and careless. Seeing this, Minister Ye’s face darkened.

Xu Qing Yan smirked and looked the other way. Anyways, he was the was the youngest one here. It was not his turn to speak.

Xu Qing Chen acted as if he didn’t see Ye Rong’s carelessness. His smile was still gentle and polite. Additionally, he tried to be even more harmonious. “Gentleman Ye is too polite. I have heard that gentleman Ye is a scholarly talent. Qing Yan and gentleman Ye are the same age, but my brother is still too playful and mischievous. If you are free, please interact more with him.”

Xu Qing Yan thought he might go mad. Who would want to interact with that guy? On his face, he didn’t dare to show his displeasure and go against Xu Qing Chen. He gave a well-behaved smile. “Eldest brother is right. This younger brother will learn more from gentleman Ye .”

Xu Qing Chen heard his brother’s words and was quite satisfied. He turned to signal for the servant to present the gifts to Ye Rong and every one of the Ye family.

Ye Rong immediately had a better impression of Xu Qing Chen. In comparison, Xu Qing Feng always showed him a holier-than-thou attitude, showing traces of disdain and hostility. Xu Qing Chen did not show an ounce of derision towards him. This made people like Xu Qing Chen much more.

On the side, forced to make a new friend, Xu Qing Yan moved towards Xu Qing Bai. In a stealthy manner, poked at his brother’s arm. Trying to convey with his eyes: Why does eldest brother like this idiot?

Xu Qing Bai’s eyes showed righteousness and justice: Because he is ignorant enough, foolish enough.

If the person isn’t foolish enough, how can their eldest brother like anyone from the Ye family, excluding their younger cousin? How can his brother’s ability be lower than when he was giving Prince Ding a hard time?