TNIBFT -Chapter 204 A Family of Three Sitting Together

Yuan Heipang looked at the person before him as if he were a divine lord from the heavens in a storybook.

He only dared to glance once before lowering his gaze, afraid that even one more look would be a blasphemy against a deity and invite heavenly punishment. His whole body stiffened, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead.

Feeling the scorching gaze above him—

Yuan Heipang didn’t dare to raise his head. It was as if a crushing pressure, like Mount Tai pressing down, made it hard to breathe. His knees weakened, and he instinctively wanted to kneel.

Suddenly, his arm sank.

A force steadied his arm, supporting him upright. Trembling, Yuan Heipang turned his head and saw Ye Tian standing behind him.

He snapped back to his senses.

The atmosphere in the great hall was strange—everyone’s eyes were fixed on Yuan Heipang.

His toes curled in tension, and his expression was completely out of control—neither quite a smile nor a cry.

Qin Fengyi observed Yuan Heipang with a calm gaze.

Ye Tian smiled and said, “Chief Eunuch, Lord Meng has traveled a long way to Sifang City. The welcoming banquet…”

“Yes!”

“Yes, the welcoming banquet, the welcoming banquet.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Yuan Heipang quickly turned to Qin Fengyi and forced a flattering smile. “Lord… Lord Meng, you must be exhausted from the long journey.”

“Sit, sit, let’s eat.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qin Fengyi’s lips. This chief eunuch seemed… off.

But what did that matter?

Her gaze shifted to Ye Yunting beside him, softening as she spoke directly, “Little Lord Ye, sit with me. I’d like to hear about Sifang City from you.”

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

Suspicious gazes all turned toward Ye Yunting.

No one understood what Meng Yuquan was trying to do.

Ignoring everyone’s thoughts, Qin Fengyi lifted her robes and took the highest seat in the hall with commanding presence, then smiled. “No need to stand on ceremony—let host and guest enjoy themselves.”

After speaking, she beckoned to Ye Yunting.

“Father?”

Ye Yunting didn’t know whether he should go or not. He looked conflicted as he turned to Ye Tian, seeking his opinion.

His voice wasn’t loud.

But Qin Fengyi, with her formidable strength, heard every word clearly.

Her gaze instantly shifted in shock to the man standing behind the chief eunuch—tall and slender, dressed in a light blue cotton robe. He had neither the iron-blooded aura of a warrior nor the scholarly air of a learned man. Instead, he carried a carefree, unrestrained presence.

His features were well-defined and pleasing to the eye.

Was he Ye Tian?

After six years apart, he looked completely different from the Ye Tian in her memories. Why was he here?

Afraid that Ye Tian might recognize her, Qin Fengyi slightly lowered her head, her fists clenched as she stared at the table before her. For a moment, her heart was filled with tangled emotions.

Silence.

Stillness.

Qin Fengyi said nothing more, and everyone’s hearts instantly leapt into their throats.

Had he noticed something?

Or was he angry that Ye Yunting had slighted her?

While wiping the sweat from his forehead, Yuan Heipang shot a pleading look at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian gave the eldest a subtle signal.

Ye Yunting immediately stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said to Qin Fengyi, “I am willing to answer the envoy’s questions.”

With that, he properly stepped forward, lifted his cotton robe, and knelt to sit beside Qin Fengyi.

“Little Lord Ye, at such a young age you are steady, courteous, and well-versed in the classics. The title of child prodigy truly suits you. Have you read Strategies of Governance?”

Qin Fengyi asked.

Ye Yunting shook his head.

Qin Fengyi’s eyes lit up. Tilting her head slightly, strands of hair falling by her ear, she said, “I have the original copy of that book. Nanfeng, fetch it later and give it to Little Lord Ye.”

“Yes!”

Nanfeng smiled.

Ever since Her Majesty awakened, this was the first time he had seen her smile so happily.

Ye Yunting was startled and immediately refused, “Lord Meng, that’s too valuable—I cannot accept it!”

Tao Lichun, who had just taken his seat, was so shocked that he stood up again.

The original copy of Strategies for Governing a Nation?

Even the Emperor of Great Liang didn’t possess this book—yet Meng Yuquan just handed it to Yunting like that?

What exactly was Meng Yuquan plotting?

“I don’t just have Strategies for Governing a Nation, I also have The Art of War. Do you like reading it?”

“And there are also the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought.”

“And various miscellaneous travelogues…”

Qin Fengyi listed them off like treasured possessions. As long as her son liked them, she wished she could give him everything she had right now.

Looking at her well-behaved son, a smile curved on her lips as she unconsciously leaned closer to him.

Her unique fragrance felt warm and comforting.

Ye Yunting lowered his head, his small hands nervously clutching his cotton robe beneath the table.

He hated the people of Great Zhou.

But he didn’t hate Meng Yuquan.

In fact… he even liked him a little.

“Serve the dishes!”

Someone shouted loudly, and beautifully dressed maids filed in, carrying exquisite delicacies.

Tao Lichun glanced toward Yuan Heipang, who sat at the head of the opposite row, signaling him with his eyes to carry out the task.

“Ahem!”

Receiving the signal, Yuan Heipang coughed awkwardly.

Qin Fengyi was in the middle of speaking with Ye Yunting when she was interrupted. She raised her head impatiently. Yuan Heipang’s hand holding the wine cup trembled involuntarily, spilling wine across the table.

He forced a smile. “Lord Meng…”

Before he could finish, Qin Fengyi ignored him and began placing food onto Ye Yunting’s plate.

The entire welcoming banquet felt completely off.

A diplomatic negotiation for peace between nations had somehow turned into a family reunion banquet—complete with a warm parent-child atmosphere. What was going on?

Ye Tian felt that something was off about this Meng Yuquan.

“My son doesn’t like eating chicken.”

Just as Qin Fengyi was about to place a chicken drumstick onto Ye Yunting’s plate, Ye Tian suddenly spoke.

Qin Fengyi slightly raised her head and met Ye Tian’s deep gaze. At that moment, Ye Tian held a small white porcelain wine cup in his hand, standing before her.

Then he said, “You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?”

Qin Fengyi was taken aback.

Her phoenix eyes flickered.

No one had ever dared to ask her such a question.

What did Ye Tian mean by this?

She frowned slightly, but before she could respond, Ye Tian had already lifted his robe and sat down on Ye Yunting’s right. The three of them now shared the same table.

Everyone present was stunned.

Qin Fengyi herself froze—no man had ever dared to sit at the same table as her.

Behind her, Nanfeng’s face was filled with vigilance, ready to act at any moment.

Ye Tian casually drank his wine.

Seeing Qin Fengyi staring coldly at him, he curled his lips slightly. “Since you didn’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes.”

Shameless!

Qin Fengyi’s expression grew colder, and the fingers gripping her chopsticks tightened.

Seated between them, Ye Yunting looked like a stuffed little potato caught in the middle. He shrank his neck adorably, scooting a bit closer toward Qin Fengyi while still turning to Ye Tian. “Father, move a little closer.”

“Such a good boy!”

Ye Tian looked at Qin Fengyi’s profile. This face… it seemed familiar.

A movie star from his previous life?

No… but he couldn’t quite place it. Meng Yuquan had a straight, delicate nose, skin as fair as snow, and lips that were soft and rosy—why did he look like a woman?

Looking further down, the earlobes were small and round, even bearing a faint ear piercing.

Ye Tian was startled.

It felt as if some hidden secret was about to break through the surface.

Sensing his gaze, Qin Fengyi turned her head calmly and looked at Ye Tian with a faint smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “You keep staring at me—are you dissatisfied with me, or with Great Zhou?”

“Oh, not at all.” Meeting her gaze, Ye Tian teased, “I just think Lord Meng is quite handsome.”