Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Chapter 446 Capital City, the Ye family’s ancestral home.

Ye Yuanshan was still sitting in the hall, sipping tea. His eldest son, Ye Mubai, and his second son, Ye Heguo, were both by his side. These days, Ye Yuanshan, the elder, was truly delighted. Almost all the major families and powers in Capital City knew that their once declining Ye family, through none other than Ye Tianchen, had annihilated the Qin family and the Luo family—a feat both astonishing and shocking!

What was key was that individuals in certain circles were hearing bits and pieces, namely, that Ye Tianchen had met with national leaders on multiple occasions. Even the number one chief held Ye Tianchen in high regard—an envy-inducing fact, to be sure. Of course, the young Ye Tianchen seemed quite relaxed about it all.

"Not bad, not bad, this tea sent by the Fan family is decent enough to drink," Ye Yuanshan said happily.

"Pretty good, pretty good," Ye Mubai echoed his father’s words.

"By the way, Heguo, send some to your younger brother. Say it’s from the Fan family," Ye Yuanshan said after glancing at his second son, Ye Heguo.

"Dad, let the younger brother pick it up himself. He’s got hands and feet. And besides, what does the Fan family mean by sending such expensive tea? Our Ye family hasn’t really had any dealings with them before..." Ye Heguo asked, somewhat puzzled.

Indeed, the Fan family was not to be underestimated in Capital City. In terms of family influence and power, they outshone the Ye family, even during the era of Mr. Ye. For these major families, lacking neither money nor resources was a given, but one family giving gifts to another with no apparent reason—that was truly something unusual.

It was well-known that between these great families and powers, while relations appeared harmonious on the surface, there was a constant rivalry underlying their interactions. Prestige and dignity were more valued than anything, and it was almost unheard of for a family higher in status to give gifts to one lower in status. That the Fan family, with greater power than the Ye family, had proactively sent a box of world-class tea meant that there were significant implications hidden within this simple gesture.

Ye Yuanshan glanced at his somewhat foolish second son with a look full of frustration. Among his three sons, the smartest and the most honest were surely his eldest, Ye Mubai, and his youngest, Ye Hong. Unfortunately, his eldest and second sons had joined forces to target Ye Hong. Although Ye Yuanshan was aware of this, he could not bring himself to suppress two of his sons for the sake of one. As long as things did not go too far, he would turn a blind eye. Fortunately, his youngest son, Ye Hong, was magnanimous and hardly ever clashed with his older brothers. Otherwise, the Ye family could have easily turned into a laughing stock.

"Dad, it seems the Fan family needs something from us, no? Otherwise, the proud Elder Fan would not have sent this box of tea personally," Ye Mubai pondered aloud.

"Indeed, there is a matter, and it’s a joyful one," Ye Yuanshan said with a smile.

"A joyous occasion? Dad, what is it?" Ye Heguo’s eyes lit up. Knowing that the Fan family’s power far surpassed that of the Ye family, a proactive approach from them promised something extraordinary, perhaps even benefits to be gained.

"Marriage alliance. Elder Fan had called earlier, suggesting that he’d like an alliance through marriage with our family. His granddaughter, Fan Ruoxuan, has just turned twenty," Ye Yuanshan said, taking a sip of his tea.

Upon hearing their father’s words, both Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo were taken aback. They had not anticipated such significant news. A marriage alliance was indeed one of the strongest bonds between major families, and it was a surprise that the Fan family sought an alliance with the Ye family.

"Dad, Qian Xuan is also of age and still unattached. Since the Fan family has initiated this marriage proposal, I believe Qian Xuan is quite suitable!" Ye Mubai stated, somewhat dazed.

"No, elder brother, although Qian Xuan is indeed single, he has been linked with numerous female celebrities. If the Fan family learns of this, they might think our Ye family lacks sincerity. What should have been a happy occasion might turn into a mess, potentially offending the Fan family, which would be troublesome," Ye Heguo hastily intervened.

"Then in your opinion, who is suitable for this marriage alliance with the Fan family?" Ye Mubai glared at Ye Heguo, quite annoyed, and asked sharply.

"Naturally, my son, Ye Qi," Ye Heguo said earnestly.

"Is that so? Second brother, I understand you want your son to hitch his wagon to the great tree of the Fan family, especially since you have always been idle with no official position. But Ye Qi is only eighteen this year. Don’t you think he’s a bit young? Subtracting Ye Qi, who else among the Ye descendants do you think is suitable for marriage with the Fan family’s granddaughter, apart from my son, Qian Xuan?" Ye Mubai stared intensely at Ye Heguo.

"Elder brother, you’re mistaken there. You were only seventeen when you married, and I was nineteen when I got married. As part of a great family, age isn’t considered in matters of marriage, right?" Ye Heguo argued, not backing down an inch.

Through the quarrel between Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo, it wasn’t to say that they regarded this arranged marriage as something simple or frivolous. They had never asked for their sons’ opinions. Historically, marriages between major families were never up to the children themselves. Even in modern society, many have to make sacrifices for the benefit of the entire family. Men must marry women they dislike and women must wed men they don’t love. Born into a wealthy family, you are not a free person. It’s not as glamorous and free as outsiders perceive.

"Enough, you two. Will you ever stop?"

Seeing his two sons arguing, even on the verge of throwing punches, Ye Yuanshan felt deeply pained. Ever since he had stepped down, the Ye family had been in decline. He had tried many methods, but his two sons were disappointing, only engaging in constant, underhanded power struggles for control and wealth within the family. Continuing this way, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Ye family went completely bankrupt. He had wanted to place all his hopes on his third son, Ye Hong, but Ye Hong’s limited talents prevented him from achieving greatness. However, now an outstanding grandson, Ye Tianchen, had given Ye Yuanshan some hope.

Hearing their father, Ye Yuanshan’s reprimand, Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo dared not speak, but they still harbored resentment towards each other, hating each other for competing for this opportunity. They were aware that as the Ye family continued to decline, they might soon not even qualify as a third-class family. This initiative from the Fan family for an arranged marriage was truly a godsend, and naturally, both Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo wanted to seize this opportunity.

"You two don’t need to fight over this. Elder Fan has clearly stated that his granddaughter is to marry Tianchen. I will inform Ye Hong about this. I want to make it clear to you both: whoever dares to mess this up will be thrown out of the Ye family!" Ye Yuanshan said with complete authority.

"What? That kid Ye Tianchen?" Ye Mubai asked incredulously.

"Dad... how is that possible? Do you agree too? That unfilial son, Ye Tianchen, has never shown any respect to his elders, he hasn’t even once called you ’grandfather’..." Ye Heguo quickly added fuel to the fire.

"Shut up. This decision has been made. Whether it turns out well, we will see after asking Tianchen’s opinion!" Ye Yuanshan said impatiently.

With a creak, the hall’s door was pushed open. Two men walked in, one was Ye Mubai’s son, Ye Qianxuan, and the other was Ye Heguo’s son, Ye Qi. Both were ne’er-do-wells, always indulging in laziness and womanizing. Ye Yuanshan, advanced in years, couldn’t help but spoil his grandsons too much and didn’t discipline them. Now seeing them barge in, his expression darkened.

"Grandfather, how could the Fan family possibly choose that kid Ye Tianchen? He’s nothing but a fool and a failure. I am the best choice!" Ye Qianxuan yelled rudely.

"I am the most suitable person. What is Ye Tianchen? He’s already been driven out of the Ye family. What right does he have to compete with me, what makes him better than us!" Ye Qi scoffed disdainfully.

"You..." Ye Yuanshan was so angry that he was at a loss for words.

"Grandfather, don’t worry. Once I’m married to the Fan family’s granddaughter, I will definitely use the Fan family to develop our Ye family!" Ye Qianxuan said earnestly.

"Brother Qianxuan, you might be a bit lacking there. Once I marry Fan Ruoxuan, I’ll make sure our Ye family shines. Being a first-class family will not be a problem!" Ye Qi blurted out thoughtlessly.

"Get out... get out, all of you get out!" Ye Yuanshan roared, trembling with anger.

Ye Qianxuan and Ye Qi had not expected their usually indulgent grandfather to be so furious. They were startled and quickly exited the hall, while Ye Mubai and Ye Heguo, unable to sway their father, also quickly left. They didn’t want to miss this opportunity and were determined to strive for it.

"Second brother, what do you think about this matter?" Ye Mubai took a few steps forward and stopped his brother, Ye Heguo.

Ye Heguo glanced at Ye Mubai and scoffed contemptuously. "Big brother, aren’t you trying to make your son Qianxuan the son-in-law of the Fan family? You want to compete with our Ye Qi, huh!"

"Second brother, you... you are confused. Didn’t you hear what father said? The Fan family specifically wants to give their granddaughter Fan Ruoxuan to that kid Ye Tianchen. The Fan family sees value in Ye Tianchen!" Ye Mubai said impatiently.

"This... Big brother, do you mean... that’s terrible. Ye Hong might turn things around because of this. Wouldn’t that jeopardize our positions in the family..."

Before Ye Heguo could finish, Ye Mubai interrupted him. Both understood each other silently and walked together toward the nearby pavilion to discuss things properly, while Ye Tianchen was racing towards the old Ye family estate on his motorcycle. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)