Chapter Seventeen: The Scheme

Xue Baiqi and Hao Fei exchanged glances. Ye Xin possessed a remarkable ability: whenever they found themselves in dire straits, he would analyze and judge the situation from every angle, sweep away the fog, and reveal a path—a clear way forward for everyone.

A few months ago, Ye Xin had sent a message; there was a possibility he would return to Jiuding City. He instructed Xue Baiqi and Hao Fei to relay this information discreetly to Aunt Deng Qiaoying, so the Ye family could prepare themselves psychologically.

Ye Xin had just stepped through the door when Deng Qiaoying hurried off to the palace. She had evidently planned this for some time. Though it seemed unnecessary—Ye Xin possessed enough power to protect himself—her actions were undoubtedly correct, and everything Ye Ling said made sense.

However, Xue Baiqi and Hao Fei had been anxious all along. To them, Ye Xin’s return to Jiuding City was tantamount to walking into a trap. But after hearing Ye Xin’s analysis, they both breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, the Iron-Hearted Sage was a ruler of a nation—how could he be so petty as to treat Ye Xin as an equal adversary? At least for now, Ye Xin’s life was not in immediate danger.

“So, first, I have to play the part of a useless man; second, I must muddle through each day without ambition; third, I absolutely cannot be low-key. If my personality differs even slightly from the previous Ye Xin, it might attract unwanted attention,” Ye Xin said. “After all, no one knows where I’ve been or what I’ve done these past years. If they spot a change in me and let their imagination run wild, I’ll become the target of everyone’s suspicion.”

“No matter how rich their imaginations, I doubt anyone would guess you’re the God of Vengeance,” Xue Baiqi said with a bitter smile.

“Never say never,” Ye Xin replied.

“So, sir, does that mean we’ll be living quite peacefully for some time?” Hao Fei asked, sounding almost disappointed.

“Well… that's hard to say. Plans never keep up with reality,” Ye Xin said helplessly. “You both know, none of my plans these past years have gone smoothly. When surprises come, we’ll just adapt as needed.”

Both Xue Baiqi and Hao Fei laughed. People in Jiuding City always spoke of the exploits of the Vengeance Battalion—breaking the Golden Mountain seven times, burning the Spirit Peak thrice, running rings around the tens of thousands of Summoning Nation troops and the demonic army led by Xiao Mo’s Finger. But the truth was Ye Xin never sought to walk a tightrope; he continually led the Vengeance Battalion to break through encirclements, but unexpected troubles and threats kept forcing him to retrace his steps.

In one sense, Ye Xin’s luck was poor; no matter how perfect his plans, inexplicable flaws would appear. On the other hand, it proved his quick wit—he could always devise a solution even in the most critical moments.

“In any case, we have about a year to take things slow…” Ye Xin murmured. Personal traits are hard to change; in his previous life, what he excelled at and enjoyed most was laying out strategies, and it was still so now.

He would identify his opponents, quietly arrange his plans, slowly sow discord and dismantle their power, and when he finally turned against them, they would be trapped with nowhere to escape. For Ye Xin, this process was not just a technique of victory but an artistic pleasure.

He remembered facing a tribal alliance in Africa that controlled several large gold mines. No one believed he could win; those tribal chiefs had well-armed small armies while he had only a handful of mercenaries. The disparity was vast. But Ye Xin had resilience and patience. He gradually discovered the flaws in those chiefs’ personalities, kept stirring trouble, deepening the rifts within the alliance, then found the perfect entry point to ignite conflict. In the end, he won effortlessly, picking the fruit of victory with ease. Unfortunately, only a few years later, he himself fell into a trap—his blissful life as a local emperor dulled his vigilance, and he lost without recourse. When he opened his eyes again, he had arrived in another world.

****

From noon onward, the Ye family was abuzz. Deng Qiaoying, who had returned home, sent servants out to buy large quantities of food in preparation for a grand banquet. Ye Ling was also busy, writing over a hundred invitations in one breath. The Iron-Hearted Sage, the ruler, would certainly not attend, but the seven Pillar Nobles in Jiuding City must be invited, as well as the various great families and Ye Guanhai’s old friends. All received invitations from the Ye family.

Such an ostentatious show for Ye Xin was nothing but a matter of saving face. Had Ye Guanhai returned from the dead, everyone invited would have attended. But for Ye Xin alone, these big figures would not come in person.

The problem was that the Ye family’s position was awkward and dangerous. Deng Qiaoying and Ye Ling didn’t expect many to show; their main purpose was to send out a signal and wait for a response.

Yet things went worse than mother and daughter anticipated. By the time the moon hung high in the sky, not a single guest had arrived, though a good number of gifts were sent. The responses were perfunctory—light congratulations to Young Master Ye’s return, or a brief inquiry about his well-being, nothing more.

Staring at the now cold dishes and wine, Deng Qiaoying and Ye Ling’s faces were grim. The situation stung them to the core.

Some prominent people no longer cared to associate with the Ye family; others hesitated because the Iron-Hearted Sage had not made his position clear, unwilling to risk angering him by dealing with the Ye clan.

“Forget it…” Deng Qiaoying murmured. “Let’s eat, don’t let it go to waste. Baiqi, Hao Fei, you two come over as well.”

“Second Madam, isn’t that a little inappropriate?” Xue Baiqi said softly.

“What’s inappropriate? Everyone here is family.” Deng Qiaoying shook her head forcefully, as if trying to shake off all worries and sorrow. “If I tell you to sit, you sit.”

At that moment, a gentle voice came from outside: “I heard Xin’er has returned?”

“Sister-in-law?” Deng Qiaoying exclaimed with delight, first clenching her fist, then stepping forward to welcome her.

A woman radiating the glow of jewels and pearls walked into the hall with a smile, her gaze falling upon Ye Xin.

Ye Xin, as the younger generation, naturally stood up obediently. He recognized the visitor—Sun Meifang, Deng Qiaoying’s elder brother Deng Tianxian’s wife. Following her was Deng Tianxian’s eldest daughter, Deng Duojie.

“Those lazy old fellows!” Deng Qiaoying grumbled, “Why didn’t they announce your arrival? I could have gone out to greet you.”

“I told them not to announce me,” Sun Meifang replied with a smile. “We’re all family. If you don’t mind the trouble, I do.”

“Where’s big brother?” Deng Qiaoying asked.

“Your brother…” Sun Meifang’s face changed slightly. “He’s tied up with some matters.”

Ye Ling remained impassive, while Ye Xin sighed inwardly. Aunt Deng Qiaoying’s way of handling things was still too clumsy; that question should never have been asked. Sun Meifang’s arrival was clearly a well-considered move by the Deng family—to save face for relatives without offending the Iron-Hearted Sage. Moreover, with only the Deng family sending someone, it counted as a kindness to the Ye family.

Asking about her brother seemed almost like an accusation—why didn’t he come? On one hand, it diminished Sun Meifang’s importance; on the other, it made her feel the Ye family was being greedy and disrespectful.

“I know big brother is busy. But you being here is just as good,” Deng Qiaoying smiled, then took Sun Meifang’s arm and looked back at Ye Xin. “Xin’er, come greet your aunt.”

“Hello, Aunt,” Ye Xin said, boisterous as ever.

“Xin’er grows more handsome every year,” Sun Meifang said, smiling.

“This is your cousin. You remember, don’t you?” Deng Qiaoying continued. “You two used to fight all the time as kids.”

“Cousin,” Ye Xin smiled at the girl.

Across from him, Deng Duojie couldn’t be bothered to respond. She turned her head aside, her eyes revealing undisguised disdain. Clearly, she didn’t want to set foot in the Ye household, nor did she wish to have anything to do with Ye Xin; only parental pressure had forced her to make the visit.

Deng Qiaoying noticed the awkwardness and hurriedly led Sun Meifang to the table, personally helping her to a seat, then sitting beside her.

With relatives present, Xue Baiqi and Hao Fei naturally couldn’t sit at the main table. Deng Qiaoying was attentive and grateful—her family had come at a time when the Ye clan most needed support.

Yet everyone kept their own counsel, appetite lacking, conversation trivial and inconsequential. Only Deng Qiaoying and Sun Meifang chatted endlessly; the others remained silent.

Ye Xin hadn’t yet adopted the persona of a wastrel, Ye Ling simply didn’t wish to speak, and Deng Duojie disdained any interaction.

After nearly an hour of silent endurance, the banquet finally drew to a close. Ye Xin had just breathed a sigh of relief when Deng Qiaoying suddenly said, “Sister-in-law, which daughter in Jiuding City do you think would be a good match? Help find Xin’er a bride.”

Ye Xin was thunderstruck. That morning he’d discussed with Xue Baiqi the need to be ready for surprises, but he never expected one to appear so soon. In his carefully crafted plan, marriage was a bargaining chip, meant to be used at a critical moment in alliance with a great family to secure the greatest advantage.

“Aunt, I don’t want it!” Ye Xin cried out immediately. He could not allow Deng Qiaoying to disrupt his strategy. Every step was interconnected; if something went wrong here, the whole situation could unravel.

“Be quiet!” Deng Qiaoying snapped, visibly annoyed. “Ye family affairs are not for you to decide right now!”

Sun Meifang’s smile was somewhat forced. She would never agree to such a task—finding Ye Xin a wife? Who knew how many times she’d be turned away. But decorum demanded she respond, so after a pause, she said, “Little sister, tell me honestly: which family’s daughter are you eyeing?”

“I won’t give up a whole forest for a single tree!” Ye Xin exclaimed, truly flustered, heedless of whether anyone understood his words, letting them tumble out uncontrollably.