TFWYH – Chapter 437 Capturing Your Soul

Yi Zhanhong burst into hearty laughter.
“Good! Excellent! Master Bai’s paintings are one of a kind—worth a fortune and impossible to obtain. Ling Yu, this gift of yours is truly outstanding!”

“As long as Your Excellency likes it,” Ling Yu replied.

It seemed that in the future, whenever he ran short of money, he could simply copy Bai Anting’s paintings and sell them. All those years of practice hadn’t been in vain. Besides, Bai Anting had been dead for many years—he certainly wouldn’t crawl out of his grave to expose him!

At that moment, a beautiful middle-aged woman walked out.

“Alright, Master. The food and wine are ready. Please invite the guests to Fanghua Garden for the meal.”

“Yes, yes, the meal!” Yi Zhanhong said enthusiastically. “Ling Yu, come, come! Last time you let this official taste your younger sister’s cooking. This time, allow me to play the proper host!”

“You honor me too greatly, my lord. I would not dare refuse,” Ling Yu replied politely.

…

The group chatted and laughed as they headed toward Fanghua Garden.

Madam Yi noticed that her daughter—who usually clung to her—was instead sticking closely to a beautiful young married woman. She quickly guessed her identity.

Falling a few steps behind, she walked beside Tang Wan.

“You must be Madam Ling. You’re truly beautiful!”

“You flatter me,” Tang Wan replied. I also think I look quite good!

“…”
She wasn’t modest at all—whatever she thought showed plainly on her face. But people like this were actually the easiest to get along with.

Madam Yi’s smile grew more sincere.

“The facial masks you asked my husband to bring me last time were wonderful. Unfortunately, I only managed to use three sheets. This little rascal stole the rest and even shared them with my daughter-in-law!”

“Hey! Mother, how can you expose me like that in front of Sister?” Yi Yashu protested. “I have my dignity, you know! Besides, what’s yours is mine—how is that stealing?”

“Oh my! Madam Ling, just look at her,” Madam Yi laughed. “She’s already come of age but still acts like a child. How will she ever get married?”

“Mother…” Say another word and I’ll really get angry!

It was Tang Wan’s first time seeing such a mother-daughter dynamic. She found it rather refreshing.

Madam Yi wasn’t as gentle and fragile as Madam Jiang, nor as stern as Su Qing. Compared to them, she was more open-minded and could truly be friends with her children.

Tang Wan smiled lightly.
“No matter how grown a child becomes, they’re still a child in their parents’ eyes. Yashu is innocent, lively, and lovable—it’s clearly thanks to Madam’s excellent upbringing.”

Was that praise for her parenting?

Good taste!

Madam Yi laughed even more happily.

Soon, the group arrived at Fanghua Garden.

The so-called Fanghua Garden was essentially a vast flower garden. At this season, flowers bloomed in dazzling abundance, and dining amidst a sea of blossoms truly had a unique charm.

The atmosphere at the banquet was warm and harmonious. Yi Zhanhong and his son discussed scholarship with Ling Yu, growing more congenial the longer they talked.

Meanwhile, Madam Yi and Yi Yashu chatted with Tang Wan about food, clothing, and entertainment—

which family’s dresses looked best, whose jewelry was most exquisite, and which facial masks worked better…

After about an hour, the meal was nearly finished, and Ling Yu rose to take his leave.

Just then, the young madam—who had not appeared all this time—finally showed up.

She came forward with a large pregnant belly, her face pale with illness, supported by several maids.

When Yi Minzhe saw her, his eyelid twitched. He hurried over to steady her.

“Meng’e, why did you come?”

“Heh…” Meng’e let out a cold laugh.
“Someone told me a celestial beauty had come to the house to steal your soul. I’ve seen both humans and ghosts in my life—but never a fairy. So I came to broaden my horizons. Now then… where is this fairy?”

Liu Meng’e’s voice wasn’t quiet.

Not only did Yi Minzhe hear her—the entire Yi family did.

Ling Yu and Tang Wan naturally heard as well.

For a moment, everyone fell into an awkward, speechless silence.