Ye Lanshan said, "Just bring them along. You don't need to worry about the rest."
In the Ye family of the imperial capital, Ye Suzhe was being driven to distraction by his daughter.
Ye Siyu fussed, "Why do we have to bring that bitch back? I don't want her here."
Ye Suzhe said helplessly, "If we don't bring her back, are you going to marry the Night King instead?"
At the mention of the Night King, Ye Siyu's face turned pale with fear. "No, I won't marry the Night King."
Ye Suzhe turned around and said, "That's why I'm bringing Ye Lanshan back—to have her take your place and marry the Night King. So be nice to Ye Lanshan during this time and don't let her catch on."
Ye Siyu sneered, "Even if she does find out, what can she do? She's just a waste with no spiritual power left. What trouble could she stir up?"
Ye Suzhe shook his head. "How many times have I taught you? Even the wisest can make a mistake, and a tiny leak can sink a great ship. That girl is clever. If she discovers anything, it's all over."
Ye Siyu said, "Yes, I understand."
Ye Suzhe nodded and dismissed Ye Siyu, then went to a certain place.
There, he took out a small bead and placed it on the table, then said respectfully, "Father-in-law, Father-in-law."
The bead projected an old man wearing a cloak and mask, who asked hoarsely, "How are things going?"
Ye Suzhe replied deferentially, "All taken care of."
The old man asked, "And the military token for the three armies?"
At the mention of the military token, Ye Suzhe gritted his teeth in frustration. "That old man is stubborn. No matter how I question him, he won't talk."
The old man said angrily, "It's been years now."
Ye Suzhe quickly said, "Even without the military token, I have a way to conquer the imperial capital."
The old man asked, "What way?"
Ye Suzhe said, "I've already planted people in the palace. When the emperor holds the banquet ten days from now, they'll make their move. By then, even without the military token, you can still fight your way back."
The old man asked, "And the Night King?"
Ye Suzhe said, "I'll lure him away."
The old man's tone softened. "You've worked hard all these years."
Ye Suzhe quickly replied, "No hardship at all. It's just a pity for Nuo'er." At the mention of Nuo'er, Ye Suzhe's eyes reddened slightly.
The old man said, "Once I become emperor, I'll definitely hold a grand wedding for you two."
Ye Suzhe said joyfully, "Yes. Then, Father-in-law, I won't disturb you any longer."
The old man said, "Mm, go ahead."
"Ye Lanshan is back."
"What? Ye Lanshan is back? No way?"
Ye Lanshan looked at the two Ye family disciples whispering and said, "What, you don't want me back that badly?"
The two disciples turned around in shock. "Ye Lanshan." But then they sneered, "I can't believe you still dared to come back."
Ye Lanshan said, "The family head summoned me back. Why wouldn't I dare?"
Just then, Ye Siyu arrived and said clearly, "Ye Lanshan, I'll take you to your quarters."
Ye Lanshan looked at Ye Siyu, lowering her lashes to hide the emotions in her eyes, and said, "Okay."
It was a quiet courtyard, not as luxurious as her old one, but still quite refined.
Ye Lanshan suddenly felt something was off. What was their purpose in bringing her back? And why had Ye Siyu's attitude changed so much? A series of questions swirled in her mind.
That evening, Ye Suzhe said kindly to Ye Lanshan, "Lanshan, how have you been over there? Have you been bullied? If anyone's mistreated you, just tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson."
Ye Lanshan said sharply, "I'm sure you know exactly how I've been all these years, Uncle."
Ye Suzhe sighed. "I don't blame you for holding a grudge all these years, but I had my reasons."
Ye Lanshan sneered, "Reasons? Ha. If you hadn't framed me back then and then poisoned me, how would I have ended up like this?"
Ye Suzhe thought to himself, How does she know I poisoned her? Who told her?
But an old fox is hard to fool. Ye Suzhe immediately said, "There must be a misunderstanding. How could I harm you? We're family. I really couldn't protect you back then."
Ye Lanshan decided to see what he was really up to, so she played along.
Acting as if she believed him, she said, "I knew you wouldn't harm me, Uncle. So that person was lying to me."
Ye Suzhe asked angrily, "Who said that?"
Ye Lanshan said pitifully, "It was the one who brought me to the Ye family. He said he'd make trouble for me once I got here."
Ye Suzhe said furiously, "Guards, bring Ye San here."
"Ye San, do you know your crime?"
"Spare me, Family Head!" Ye San trembled all over.
Ye Suzhe turned to Ye Lanshan and asked, "What do you think should be done?"
Ye Lanshan said calmly, "This man not only insulted me but also slandered you, Uncle. I think death is fitting."
Ye Suzhe said, "Mm, then we'll do as you say."
Perhaps unwilling to die so easily, Ye San broke free and lunged at Ye Lanshan, laughing wildly, "Even if I die, I'm taking someone with me! Hahaha!"
"You—" Before he could finish, Ye Lanshan pinned him to a pillar with a dagger.
Ye Lanshan calmly stepped down from her seat, walked over to Ye San, pulled out the dagger, and wiped it clean slowly.
Watching the dagger she had thrown, Ye Suzhe was greatly shocked. No wonder she was so composed—her spiritual power had recovered. She must have had some kind of lucky encounter.
Ye Siyu's eyes widened. How could her spiritual power have recovered? That was a Earth-tier Spirit Absorption Pill. Had she met some kind of expert?
But Ye Lanshan had no idea what they were thinking, and they would never know how her spiritual power had truly been restored.
"Uncle, I'm full. I'll head back now."
Ye Suzhe nodded. "Mm, go ahead. Make sure to rest early."
Ye Lanshan said, "Thank you, Uncle."
Ye Suzhe smiled and shook his head. "We're family. Saying thank you makes it sound so distant. If you do that again, I'll be upset."
Ye Lanshan smiled and said, "Yes," then turned and walked out of the hall.
Once Ye Lanshan was gone, Ye Suzhe's face darkened completely. He hadn't expected her to change so much in just a few years.
Ye Siyu asked, "Father, what do we do now? Will Ye Lanshan still listen to us?"
Ye Suzhe said coldly, "She'll listen whether she wants to or not."
Under the cover of night, Ye Lanshan left the Ye estate and went to the meeting spot she had arranged with Ye Feng and Ye Yuan.
"So? Did you find out anything?" Ye Lanshan asked.
Ye Feng frowned. "Not much. Just heard that the Night King is going to marry a young lady from the Ye family."
Ye Lanshan asked curiously, "Who is the Night King?"
Ye Feng said, "The Night King is an extremely terrifying person. They say everyone he's been betrothed to has ended up dead, with no intact bodies left."