CHAPTER 343: CHAPTER 297

After the younger generation had left, the smiles on their faces gradually faded, and the atmosphere became a bit solemn.

"Old Jiao, we’ve known each other for decades now, haven’t we? Back on the battlefield, you were notorious for your fiery temper. How come you’ve mellowed out in just a few days?" Old Sir Ye was right; these elders had known each other for many years and could easily tell if one was troubled.

"Yeah, Old Jiao, what is there that we brothers can’t discuss? If something’s troubling you at home, tell us about it. It’s better than worrying by yourself," Mr. Yang also pressed for answers.

These past few days, Mr. Jiao had people searching high and low, yet nothing useful was found. Old Ye and Old Yang were right; seeking help wasn’t his forte, but they were proficient at it.

"My apprentice Mei Lan has disappeared," Mr. Jiao seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. Mei Lan wasn’t just his apprentice, she was like a daughter to him, and her sudden disappearance had him extremely worried, "I’ve searched all the places she could be, had people inquire at her hometown, she didn’t go back there. We’ve also checked the homes of some friends she frequently visits, but no luck. She usually tells me when she goes out, but this time, without saying a word, she vanished."

...

The group made their way to the pavilion. Yang Lan and Ye Junying’s gazes lingered on Lan Tian. They had also heard what the elders said earlier; Old Ji was truly cured by her. Both let others size them up, sitting calmly without a word.

Freed from the watchful eyes of the family elders, Ye Junying lost his serious demeanor and reverted to his usual playful self, suave and dashing with a mischievous smile at the corner of his mouth, the type many young women fancied.

"Ah, didn’t see that coming, you’re pretty impressive, huh," he said, walking up next to Lan Tian, though his eyes were on Ji Feng, "Crown Prince, you don’t mind, right? Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Ye Junying. And you, miss?"

Ji Feng shot Ye Junying a warning glance. Lan Tian tilted her head, giving him a look, and after a moment replied indifferently, "Lan Tian."

Yang Lan, entirely different from Ye Junying, appeared honest and straightforward, not much of a talker, but reliable. He glanced back and forth at the group, then approached and said, "Yang Lan."

Lan Tian nodded in acknowledgment, remaining silent. These two held no ill will towards her, and since Lan Tian was not familiar with them, naturally she had little to say.

"Interesting." This was the first time Ye Junying had been treated so coldly by a woman; he was not accustomed to it. Even Mei Lan, that icy woman, had her glacier melt in his presence. Since the Crown Prince treated her above the ordinary, Ye Junying had to be more considerate and didn’t approach further to avoid annoying her.

Lan Tian’s background, something both Yang Lan and Ye Junying had looked into, was unremarkable; aside from good grades and good looks, nothing stood out. In Beijing, nothing was scarce, and girls like Lan Tian could be found everywhere on the streets.

Oh yes, and her impressive medical skills, but even those weren’t special enough to warrant such attention from the Crown Prince. He had heard that Mei Lan had been by his side for years, yet failed to capture even a glance from the Crown Prince. Truly, a thorough defeat.

The group sat in the pavilion; Ji Feng, Yang Lan, and Ye Junying chatting while Lan Tian stared out at the water beyond the pavilion, lost in thought.

"Crown Prince, what are your plans for the future?" asked Ye Junying.

Ji Feng’s health improved, and Mr. Ji certainly wouldn’t let him stay at home anymore; he must have already paved the way for him. Previously, when both Mr. Ji and his grandson were ill, it was as though the Ji Faction had no successors, and there were many ambitious people within the Ji Faction who, behind Mr. Ji’s back, were forming cliques and conspiring to take his place.

Now that Mr. Ji has recovered and can live for several more decades, those people’s plans have fallen through. They were never hopeful to begin with, but their sudden disillusionment will certainly make them more restless. If Ji Feng wants to secure his position within the Ji Faction and deter others, the first step is to take care of those with ulterior motives as practice.

Both the Ye and Yang families are loyal supporters of the Ji Family. Mr. Yang and Old Sir Ye came over this time to see if Mr. Ji’s health had really improved, and another purpose is that since Ji Feng is the next heir to the Ji Family, their grandsons would naturally follow Ji Feng’s lead.

Yang Lan and Ye Junying knew this, and so did Ji Feng.

"There are still some matters to take care of in Beijing. Once they’re resolved, I’ll go to the military to train first. What about you?"

"Perfect, Yang Lan and I are also planning to go to the military. We’ll go together then."

The three of them made this agreement. After discussing business, the three chatted about recent events in Beijing for a while, then returned to the living room. After dinner, the various elders left one after another, and only Mr. Mo’s family and Mr. Ji’s family remained in the living room.

With no other people in the living room, Mr. Mo seriously asked Lan Tian, "Girl, Grandpa Ji won’t relapse again in the future, right?"

"No, I have removed the poisonous insect from his body. He’s just a bit physically weak now, but a few months of recuperation should be sufficient. Grandpa, I’m not lying to you, it’s really no problem for the old gentleman to live another twenty years." Faced with Mr. Mo’s questions, Lan Tian answered each one.

"That’s good." After a while, Mr. Mo said again, "Girl, do you still have that bracelet? Give one to your Grandpa Ji!"

After much consideration, Mr. Mo had the audacity to ask Lan Tian for something. Mr. Mo knew that the peach wood bracelet was no ordinary item; aside from her own family, the girl hadn’t given it to anyone else, but Mr. Ji’s situation was different. Mr. Mo took preemptive measures, worried that Mr. Ji might be targeted again, and wearing the bracelet would offer more protection.

"I’ve already given one."

"Girl, Grandpa knew you have a soft heart." Mr. Mo laughed heartily, "Now that your Grandpa Ji is well, you should quickly get ready to go home with Grandpa."

"Okay."

Lan Tian went back to her room to pack. She hadn’t brought any luggage when she came, so naturally, there was nothing to pack for the return trip, but she did have her talisman-drawing materials in the room, and she planned to take them all with her. Ji Feng followed Lan Tian back to her room to pack.

Mr. Ji watched his grandson chase after Lan Tian and sighing, said, "Old Mo, do the two of them really have no chance?"

He could see how much the foolish boy liked Lan Tian. It was rare for the boy to like a girl so wholeheartedly, and if possible, Mr. Ji hoped to fulfill his grandson’s wish.

"Old Ji, you can’t make such a principled mistake. There’s an old saying, ’Better to demolish ten temples than to destroy one marriage.’ If you dare to do such a despicable thing, don’t blame me for falling out with you. Let me tell you, my granddaughter’s husband has been chosen by her grandma, and as long as she’s alive, there’s no changing that." Mr. Mo was furious with a stern look, well aware that as long as Grandma Sun’s family existed, no one could touch Mo Junhua’s status as son-in-law.

Mr. Ji chuckled, "Look how worked up you get. I’m just joking with you. I just feel sorry for my foolish boy, he has taken a fancy to someone he shouldn’t have."