After a momentâs thought, he added, "Iâve never seen anyone as indifferent as you. Do you not realize that because of a single word from the Emperor, countless people would be willing to wait for years? Even those Advanced Scholars, waiting to fill official positions, need to wait a year, but youâyou couldnât stand to wait even a day. Forget it, wait for a month. When the time comes and you leave, if the Emperor asks, I can say you rushed back to see your child. Considering your heartfelt paternal love, he wonât say anything."
With a deadline set, Ye Ziâan naturally felt at ease and nodded, "Alright."
Baili Yan saw that he was agreeable now and snorted coldly.
Old Mu also came over, shook his head at his attitude, but said nothing. He could understand Brother Anâs feelings, as he too had been eager to rush home when he heard of Linhaoâs birth while serving in the military.
He reached out and patted Ye Ziâan on the shoulder, not saying a word.
The commotion Ye Ziâan caused with Baili Yan in the other courtyard certainly didnât escape the Emperorâs notice.
Upon hearing that Ye Ziâan wanted to return home, the Emperorâs face darkened instantly. This ungrateful brat, was he not taking his word seriously?
So it was rather strange that, that very night, the Emperor attended the Qionglin Banquet, chatting merrily with a few Advanced Scholars, while Ye Ziâan, whom he had said he would seriously consider at the Golden Throne Hall, was ignored by everyone.
After the banquet ended, people began to wonder if the Emperorâs statement was just casual talk.
But some thought it might be better to wait and see, and this waiting lasted almost a month.
Ye Ziâan began to have his belongings packed up, even setting the date of his departure.
"Youâre leaving tomorrow?" Mu Shaoling finally found the time to come and tease Ye Ziâan after settling Li Familyâs affairs.
"Yes, all my belongings are packed," replied Ye Ziâan, thinking that almost a month had passed and it was already late May. By the time he got home, Xiaxia probably would have given birth.
Xiaxia was pregnant and he hadnât been by her side for even a day; she would give birth and he wouldnât be there either. If the child was born and he still didnât return, he wouldnât know how to face her for the rest of his life.
Mu Shaoling nodded, "Iâll go back with you."
"What for?" Ye Ziâan bristled at the thought of him going, making it obvious how strongly he opposed Mu Shaolingâs visit.
"Me?" Mu Shaoling said languidly, "Iâm going to see Xiaxia, and by the way, check if Xiaxiaâs son is handsome. If I have a daughter in the future, maybe they could be betrothed."
Ye Ziâan scoffed, "First have a daughter for me to see, will you?"
Mu Shaoling snorted and didnât respond, but a figure dressed in colorful attire flitted through his mind. In a flash, he chased the image away.
"I wonât see you off tomorrow," Baili Yan said indifferently, his old illness flaring up again these past few days, leaving him looking pale.
"Cousin, what is this illness exactly? Canât Mu Shaoling cure it?"
Though he and Mu Shaoling often ribbed each other, Ye Ziâan fully recognized Mu Shaolingâs medical skills. Surely no one could be better than Mu Shaoling, right?
"Itâs nothing, just an old ailment," Baili Yan did not wish to talk more about it; there was no point in having one more person worry.
Mu Shaoling then said, "Donât worry, during my trip to Funan, Iâll secretly speak with the local fishermen. If they find any pearls, theyâll reserve them for me."
"You might as well not waste your effort; black pearls arenât so easily found," replied Baili Yan, shaking his head. "If we make too much fuss, itâll become widely known. Even if some are found, they wonât end up in our hands."