He did like Ye Shixian, but he also had his pride. To be associated with Mrs. Gao in front of so many people was something he was absolutely unwilling to accept.

At this thought, his expression darkened. "Madam Ye is unwell and needs to rest. What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and escort her home!"

He shot a warning look at his attendants as he spoke.

The attendants took the hint and immediately stepped forward. Flanking Mrs. Gao, they gripped her arms and, under the guise of persuasion, began to forcefully pull her away. "That’s right, Madam Ye. You should go home and rest! We’ll escort you back right now!" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Mrs. Gao didn’t have a single attendant with her; it was obvious she had run out on her own.

Others might not have known, but Murong Ye did. Mrs. Gao had long since lost her mind. If she were allowed to stay, who knew what other trouble she might stir up!

But Mrs. Gao wasn’t about to go back so easily.

After struggling a few times without success, she resorted to shouting at the top of her lungs, "Mr. Murong! You can’t do this to me!"

Her eyes were bloodshot and practically bursting from their sockets, a crazed look swirling within them.

"What did you promise Xian’er just a few days ago? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already!"

A sense of foreboding washed over Murong Ye, but before he could react, Mrs. Gao had already shrieked the rest of her words.

"You may have forgotten, but I haven’t! You said you would never let her be wronged again! You said you’d arrange for someone to look after my husband and find a doctor to treat me! You made it all sound so wonderful then. What, in the blink of an eye, have you forgotten everything!?"

Murong Ye was both shocked and enraged. "Nonsense! When did I ever—"

"I knew it! All men are heartless beasts!" Mrs. Gao grew more agitated as she cursed, clearly having lost all reason. "You claim to love and protect Xian’er, but now you won’t even lift a finger to help. You’re just a heartless bastard after all! All you do is spout empty platitudes to win her over!"

Murong Ye gasped, fury rushing to his head. "You!"

He was of noble birth; when had he ever witnessed such a shrewish display? For a moment, he was too furious to even utter a single word of rebuttal.

Hearing this, many in the crowd secretly exchanged glances, mulling over Mrs. Gao’s words.

Everyone in the Capital City knew that Ye Heng’s family assets had been confiscated and he had been exiled. It was also common knowledge that Murong Ye had stepped in to help.

With so many eyes on them, and since they had remained in the Capital City, their every move was naturally public knowledge.

There had already been plenty of rumors about Murong Ye and Ye Shixian’s relationship. Now, Mrs. Gao’s outburst all but confirmed them.

’After all, if there was nothing between them, why would Murong Ye go to such lengths to help?’

’After all, when Ye Heng fell from grace, even the officials he had once been close to kept their distance, terrified of being implicated. For Murong Ye to go this far... anyone could guess his motives.’

’Perhaps the two of them were already secretly involved.’

A few people had teasing smirks on their faces, and when they looked at Murong Ye again, their eyes held a mixture of jealousy and envy.

One of the young masters who had arrived with Murong Ye couldn’t resist teasing him directly. "Murong, you’re truly smitten with Miss Ye! Such deep and devoted affection is something ordinary men can only dream of! But I suppose you’ve earned this stroke of romantic luck, haven’t you? Ahaha—"

He was cut off mid-laugh by a sharp jab from his companion’s elbow.

’Can’t you see how awful Murong Ye looks right now? Stop adding fuel to the fire!’

’It’s one thing to like a woman, especially a beautiful one, but what’s the Ye Family’s situation now?’

’Forget about making her his official wife; his father, Lord Murong, probably wouldn’t even approve of her as a concubine!’

The man, thus reminded, belatedly realized his blunder and looked incredibly awkward.

"Er, uh, Murong, I was just kidding. Don’t take it seriously—"

Murong Ye, his face ashen, cut him off.

"I just remembered I have urgent business at home. I’m afraid I can’t join you all for drinks today. Excuse me!"

With that, he turned and strode away without waiting for a response. The others tried to persuade him to stay, but nothing could stop him.

Of course, Mrs. Gao was forcibly dragged away with them.

The crowd parted to let them through, but the gazes following Murong Ye were filled with the unmistakable excitement of watching a good show.

Murong Ye couldn’t stand to be there for a second longer. All he wanted was to escape this suffocating place as quickly as possible.

He had only walked a short distance when the area ahead suddenly fell silent.

Sensing something was off, he frowned and looked up, only to freeze the instant he saw who was there.

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Mr. Murong, you’ve come all this way. Why leave before even stepping through the door?"

’She’s asking the obvious!’

Murong Ye was no fool. His eyes quickly swept over Ye Yunfeng at Ye Chutang’s side and Ye Jingyan, who was holding Xiao Wu. How could he not guess that they had seen the whole spectacle?

’For Ye Chutang to speak now is a deliberate, public humiliation!’

Murong Ye’s fists clenched as he fought to suppress his fury. "I come and go as I please," he said coldly. "I don’t need to explain myself to you!"

Ye Chutang, seemingly oblivious to his anger, maintained her faint smile. "Mr. Murong, you misunderstand. I simply saw you and your friends arrive together only to leave in such a hurry, and I thought it a shame. After all, reservations here aren’t easy to get. I imagine you gentlemen spent quite a bit of time and effort. Wouldn’t it be a waste to leave just like that?"

A vein throbbed in Murong Ye’s temple.

’How dare she say that?’

’How does she have the gall to say that!?’

Murong Ye sneered. "It’s just a tavern. What’s the big deal?"

Of course, he would never admit how much effort it had taken to book that private room for the day.

With that said, he had no desire to continue the conversation and turned to leave immediately.

However, Mrs. Gao had now spotted Ye Chutang.

Her eyes widened instantly, looking as if they might bulge from their sockets. She raised a trembling hand to point at Ye Chutang, her voice a hoarse, hysterical shriek. "You bitch! You dare to come back!"

’Mingze is dead, and this woman is the one who sent him to the paupers’ grave!’

’Ever since she returned to the Capital City, my family has been plagued by misfortune, and now we’re ruined and scattered!’

’Whose fault is all this, if not hers!?’

Ye Chutang tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping coolly over Mrs. Gao before she spoke in a gentle tone.

"Second Aunt, you still recognize me. It seems your mind is quite clear, then. No major issues."

Murong Ye’s heart skipped a beat. ’What does Ye Chutang mean by that? Is she implying that all the crazy things Mrs. Gao was spouting were actually true!?’

Mrs. Gao’s breathing grew ragged, her chest heaving violently.

The corners of Ye Chutang’s lips lifted in a smile that was equal parts mockery and sarcasm.

"I just saw my father, mother, and older brother off to Qingzhou. The journey was tiring, but my heart is at ease. I do hope you’ll take care of yourself, Second Aunt. It would be for the best if you have the chance to reunite with Second Uncle someday. But if not, at least there will be someone to bring his soul back home, so he may rest without regrets."

"Wouldn’t you agree?"