TNIBFT -Chapter 196 A Woman Like This Will Only Make You Run When Trouble Comes

At the mention of Ye Tian, Tao Lichun immediately became alert.

His clouded eyes fixed on Gao Defu, as if trying to see through him.

Ye Tian was not someone from official circles—so why was Gao Defu dragging him into this? What exactly was he planning?

“I’ve met Ye Tian a few times,” Gao Defu spoke slowly, then sighed before continuing, “In fact, Ye Tian is the only son of General Ye. Ever since the Ye family fell, I haven’t seen him again. We only crossed paths a few times, but I’ve always held General Ye in great respect. So, taking advantage of this opportunity, if I can lend Ye Tian a hand, it would be a good deed.”

Gao Defu’s tone was sincere.

But Tao Lichun’s pupils trembled slightly. He knew Ye Tian was extraordinary, yet he had never imagined his background would be like this.

General Ye?

In the entire Liang Dynasty, there was only one General Ye—the mighty Tiger-Prestige General, Ye Zhengyang, who had been exterminated along with his entire family six years ago.

Ye Tian…?

Tao Lichun’s thoughts churned. Seeing his reaction, Gao Defu’s lips curled up faintly as he continued,

“If this matter is handled well, with a single wave of His Majesty’s hand, the Young Master Ye might even be able to return to the capital with his child. This place is bitterly cold—let alone children, even wild beasts wouldn’t want to stay here long.”

“Holy Duke, I’ll have to entrust this matter to you!”

Gao Defu smiled so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared, looking every bit the benevolent elder.

Tao Lichun nodded absentmindedly.

After exchanging a few perfunctory words, he finally took his leave.

That evening in Sifang City, dark clouds blanketed the sky, dimming the light. Large snowflakes drifted down endlessly.

As they landed on Tao Lichun’s face, he looked up at the sky, his brows tightly furrowed.

If it meant helping Ye Tian, he was naturally willing—but Gao Defu was a sinister man who never walked the righteous path. Could he really be trusted?

And Yunting still carried the burden of the Ye family.

Thinking of Ye Yunting, Tao Lichun’s expression grew even heavier.

Meanwhile, in Gao Defu’s residence.

Gao Defu sat leisurely in a chair, sipping tea with his fingers delicately curled. Two young maidens knelt by his legs, heads bowed, gently massaging him.

A trusted subordinate beside him bent slightly and said with a grin, “That old man Tao Lichun has already taken the bait.”

“He’s been racking his brain to make arrangements for Ye Yunting, isn’t it all so that Ye Tian can rise again through his son? Maybe in a few years, the Ye family’s case could even be cleared. Now that such a great opportunity is right in front of him, how could that old fool possibly resist?”

Gao Defu lightly blew on his tea, brushing aside the foam, and sneered,

“Even if Ye Tian doesn’t come, I have ways to make his entire family show up—nice and complete.”

“Make preparations. Send a few men to kidnap Ye Tian’s daughter. I refuse to believe his hotpot restaurant has many experts guarding it!”

“Yes!”

The subordinate accepted the order, a sinister grin spreading across his face. He flattered further,

“What kind of experts could a place like this even have? No matter how strong they are, could they compare to our imperial guards?”

“Manager, just sit back and wait. I’ll go make the arrangements.”

With that, he respectfully withdrew.

Gao Defu sat there, thoroughly pleased with himself. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.

He abruptly sat up and began patting his body frantically—nothing.

His face instantly turned deathly pale.

His bulging, fish-like eyes widened as he shrieked,

“My token!”

“Where is my token?!”

“Who stole my token?! You useless trash—was it you?! Did you steal it?!”

For a moment, the entire estate was filled with wails, cries for mercy, and sobbing…

The sky grew darker and darker, the snowstorm intensifying as the north wind howled.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Knock, knock—Brother Ye Tian!”

It was Tao Ling’er’s voice. Ye Shuangxue quickly slid off the chair and rushed forward to open the door.

Tao Ling’er’s hair was covered in snowflakes, her little face flushed red from the cold. She kept rubbing her hands and blowing warm air into them. “Is your father here?”

She looked down at Ye Shuangxue as she spoke, stepping inside at the same time.

A gust of cold wind poured in through the opening. The loose strands of hair on Ye Shuangxue’s forehead were blown about as the little girl squinted and quickly shut the door.

Inside the main hall—

The candlelight flickered, casting a dim glow.

At that moment, Ye Tian was accompanying the two children as they practiced calligraphy. Hearing the knock, his daughter rushed out as if she had been released from confinement, leaving Ye Tian feeling rather helpless.

Seeing Tao Ling’er arrive, Ye Tian stood up. “It’s so late—why did you come?”

The tip of Tao Ling’er’s nose was red. She exhaled warm breath and rubbed her small hands. “I have something to tell you.”

Ye Shuangxue stood curiously beside Ye Tian.

Ye Yunting, who had been reading at the table, immediately perked up his ears. He hadn’t turned a page of his book for quite a while.

“This evening, Gao Defu—the chief eunuch sent to Sifang City by imperial decree—told my father that at the welcome banquet three days from now, you and the children must attend. If the peace talks between Great Liang and Great Zhou succeed this time, he will request an imperial decree to allow your whole family to return to the capital.”

Ye Tian showed no reaction.

He didn’t believe Gao Defu would be so kind.

Shangguan Ning had already said that Gao Defu’s plan was to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

As for who was right or wrong—

Ye Tian didn’t bother to dwell on it. Leaving Sifang City for the capital held no appeal for him. Risking his children was something he would absolutely never do.

“What did your father say?” Ye Tian asked.

Tao Ling’er replied, “My father thinks there’s definitely something suspicious about this. Gao Defu is sinister and despicable, but he is deeply trusted by the Noble Consort, who has dominated the imperial harem for years. My father’s suggestion is that you take the two children and leave for a while. If you go now, there’s still time.”

“Leave overnight while Gao Defu isn’t on guard.”

“If you wait three days, it’ll be too late.”

Tao Ling’er’s small face was full of anxiety. She took out a small blue bundle from behind her and handed it to Ye Tian. “There’s food and some silver inside—enough to last you for a while.”

“Brother Ye Tian, don’t worry about things at home. I’ll stay at the hot pot restaurant these next few days.”

Uh…

Looking at Tao Ling’er’s sincere gaze, Ye Tian felt awkward, unsure whether to accept it or not.

Ye Shuangxue tilted her little face upward, her big eyes darting around, as if thinking about something.

Ye Yunting gripped his book tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Why should they be the ones to hide?

Their family had done nothing wrong, yet a mere eunuch couldn’t tolerate them. In this freezing weather, they had to hide like stray dogs. When he grew up, he would make sure to wipe out all these people and their entire clans!

Seeing that Ye Tian wouldn’t take it, Tao Ling’er stomped her foot anxiously. She grabbed his hand and forced the bundle into it.

As the two pulled back and forth—

“Hmph!” Shangguan Ning, standing at the staircase on the second floor, let out a cold snort.

Tao Ling’er’s face instantly turned red. As if burned, she quickly let go of Ye Tian’s hand, standing there awkwardly with her head lowered like a child caught doing something wrong.

“What a touching scene of mutual affection—pulling and tugging right in front of the children. Ye Tian, aren’t you embarrassed? Do you even know what your status is?”

With her arms crossed, Shangguan Ning walked down the stairs step by step.

Tao Ling’er’s face flushed as red as blood. She waved her hands, trying to explain softly, “It’s not like that… I…”

“My status—what does it have to do with you?” Ye Tian retorted.

Shangguan Ning was speechless. With a proud, disdainful look, she glanced at Tao Ling’er.

“This kind of woman, when trouble comes, will only make you run away.”