TNIBFT -Chapter 241 Your father is probably not coming back!

Old Yang looked helpless.

He really didn’t understand what these two kids had been fed while growing up—their brains were just so sharp. He found himself completely at their mercy.

Ye Shuangxue blinked her big eyes and looked proudly at her brother.

The two siblings’ faces showed their satisfaction, a small smile at the corners of their mouths.

Old Yang scratched his head, still hesitating about whether he should go out.

Over there, Ye Yunting, taking small hurried steps, climbed down from the hall chair, grabbed Old Yang’s fur hat, and handed it to him. “Uncle Yang, teacher’s house is far. Wear this hat when you go out—it’ll keep you warmer.”

Looking at the hat in his hands, Old Yang’s last bit of hesitation vanished.

Two concerned little faces were watching him intently. Old Yang shook his head helplessly and muttered softly, “Who would’ve thought… the fearsome, dreaded ‘Ghost-Frightener’ would be outwitted by two kids?”

Putting on the hat, Old Yang went out the main door first, waving his hand. “Let’s go!”

“To teacher’s house!”

The two children followed behind him. One big, two small, all wearing hats and ready to step outside.

The weather had cleared, and the snow on the streets was melting.

More people were out now. The streets, bustling with passersby, lacked the usual laughter and joy. The townspeople walked hurriedly, their atmosphere heavy and tense.

Ye Yunting looked around. Having followed Tao Lichun for several months, he had some basic understanding of politics.

Ye Tian killing Xiao Haoyang—at its worst, it was rebellion.

At best, it could be said that the people could no longer endure Xiao Haoyang’s oppression and were forced to resist. But to kill an imperial official was a direct challenge to the emperor’s authority. No matter what, Ye Tian would have to die.

At this stage, in Sifang City, he was just waiting for his trial.

“Big brother, what are you thinking about?”

Ye Shuangxue gently tugged at Ye Yunting’s sleeve, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to see his sister looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“I’m going to teacher’s study. You go find Sister Ling’er. Teacher cares about her, so he might listen to her a bit,” Ye Yunting said.

“All right!”

Ye Shuangxue nodded seriously.

Finally, she could do something to help Ye Tian.

She was determined to do it properly!

Clenching her small fists, Ye Shuangxue’s eyes were resolute.

…

Half an hour later.

At Tao Lichun’s house.

“I’ve already said, no one is to be seen!”

“Let them go back!”

From the study came Tao Lichun’s hoarse voice. The servants outside looked helpless. One continued respectfully, “It’s not Mr. Ye… it’s Young Master Yunting who’s here!”

Yunting?

Tao Lichun, sitting at his desk reading documents, immediately looked up toward the carved wooden door.

Could it be that Yunting had come to persuade him on Ye Tian’s behalf as well?

Tao Lichun shook his head.

He had studied the classics thoroughly and knew that thunder and rain were both blessings from heaven!

When a ruler commands a minister to die, the minister must obey!

He had never harbored rebellious thoughts. Even if he were never given high office in his life, he remained loyal and patriotic, sharing the ruler’s burdens—a scholar’s principle, a scholar’s integrity. But Ye Tian…

Tao Lichun could not accept it. He sighed deeply, just about to refuse.

The old servant outside continued, “Only two children and some of the shop staff are here. Something must have happened. Yunting even asked if teacher has taken his medicine these past few days. I can tell the boy is very worried.”

No response came from inside. The old servant shook his head helplessly and was about to leave.

“Wait!”

Tao Lichun’s voice came from inside. “Let Yunting come in!”

“Has his study been neglected these past few days?”

“All right!”

The old servant outside the door smiled broadly and turned to notify Ye Yunting in the front hall.

Inside, Tao Lichun was restless.

Ye Yunting was the fruit of his late years—after retiring, he had raised Shen Jie, pouring all his care into him, only to see it wasted. Ye Yunting’s talent and intellect far surpassed Shen Jie’s. More importantly, this young disciple was upright, pure in character, intelligent, and eager to learn—Tao Lichun genuinely liked him.

After over half a year of daily interaction, his feelings had deepened even further.

Hearing footsteps outside, Tao Lichun straightened his clothes and sat up properly.

“Teacher!”

The soft, childish voice came from outside. Tao Lichun had initially planned to scold Ye Yunting, but hearing his voice, his heart immediately softened—Yunting was just a child.

He blurted out, “Come in quickly!”

“It’s cold outside; don’t catch a chill!”

Ye Yunting stepped forward respectfully, gently pushing open the study door.

The study was bright, with only two rows of bookshelves neatly arranged with books. The air was filled with the scent of ink and a hint of herbs. Aside from the shelves, there was a desk, a few chairs beside it, and a large pot of greenery—nothing else.

Creak!

Ye Yunting casually closed the door.

Meeting Tao Lichun’s clouded gaze, he bowed respectfully and spoke, “Teacher, when I arrived, I saw the citizens anxious and fearful. I guess it has something to do with my father killing Xiao Haoyang.”

“The city’s affairs are complex. Since you haven’t been involved, many civil officials have resigned, leaving the city without management. The people are naturally panicked.”

Tao Lichun exhaled heavily.

He looked at Ye Yunting seriously and said slowly, “So, you came today… hoping I could help Ye Tian?”

“Yunting, one must be able to distinguish right from wrong and not simply favor family…”

Ye Yunting shook his head. “If my father were in the city, I wouldn’t have come to see you!”

Ye Tian’s abilities were more than enough to handle these matters.

Ye Yunting was confident.

Not in the city?

Tao Lichun was stunned, frowning at Ye Yunting, worry crossing his face. “Where is Ye Tian?”

“Could it be that he fell into the hands of Xiao Haoyang’s men…?”

Tao Lichun panicked and rose from his chair.

Ye Yunting lifted his head: “He went to ambush Imperial Uncle Zhao Boping.”

“What?”

Tao Lichun’s eyes widened. He froze, then sank back into his chair in terror. After a long moment, he looked at Ye Yunting numbly. “Ye Tian… Ye Tian actually went to ambush Imperial Uncle?”

“Foolish!”

“Foolish, isn’t this mistake upon mistake?”

Tao Lichun’s face flushed red with anger. Clenching his right hand into a fist, he repeatedly pounded the desk, wailing in grief, “Did he even think about whether this would endanger the children? Ye Tian is simply foolish!”

“He can disregard life and death, but what about the rest of you? Charging forward in a rush of hot blood, he never considers the consequences!”

Tao Lichun looked at the young Ye Yunting, eyes glistening with tears.

He sympathized with Yunting’s situation—a child with no mother, about to lose his father, and now implicated in rebellion. Would the emperor ever let these three children live?

Tao Lichun’s anxiety mounted, and he began coughing violently.

Ye Yunting stepped forward, patting Tao Lichun’s back with his small hand. “My grandfather is the mighty General Ye Zhengyang. My father went to avenge him. This is what he must do!”

Tao Lichun looked up in surprise. Seeing Yunting’s resolute gaze, his thoughts gradually calmed.

I see now!

Tao Lichun coughed until his face was red and hoarse. After a long while, he finally spoke, “Yunting… do you know Zhao Boping?”

Ye Yunting shook his head.

Tao Lichun’s expression turned grave. “I’ve met this man in the capital. He’s vindictive, loves to show off, and most importantly, he’s cowardly. He keeps many experts at his side; whenever he goes out, he’s heavily guarded!”

“Your father… might not come back!”