The celebration within the Ye Clan continued long after the ceremony had ended.
Laughter echoed through the courtyards.
Children chased one another beneath the fluttering Silver Leaf banners.
The kitchens remained busy as servants carried trays of steaming dishes toward the main hall.
The Main Branch celebrated Ye Ming's victory.
The Second Branch toasted Ye Jun's achievement.
Even the Third Branch received quiet congratulations for Ye Luo and Ye Fu's unexpected rankings.
Yet not every smile was sincere.
As Ye Chen led his family through one of the stone corridors, whispers followed them like shadows.
"…He was fortunate."
"…If his father hadn't wasted his future, perhaps the boy could have ranked even higher."
"…Such a pity."
Ye Fu heard every word.
Each whisper struck harder than the bruises from yesterday's battles.
He glanced toward his father.
Ye Chen walked calmly, his gray robe swaying gently with each step.
His expression never changed.
It was as though the insults belonged to someone else.
That silence troubled Ye Fu more than anger ever could.
Their home rested at the edge of the Third Branch's courtyard.
Compared to the grand residences of the Main Branch, it was modest.
A stone path wound through a small vegetable garden that Ye Fu's mother tended herself.
A weathered plum tree stood near the entrance, its branches stretching across the courtyard like an old guardian.
The wooden house had aged gracefully.
Though simple, it was spotless.
Every repaired roof tile.
Every polished wooden beam.
Every carefully swept stone.
It reflected years of quiet care.
The moment they entered, Ye Tian ran ahead.
"Mother! I'm hungry!"
Ye Luo laughed loudly.
"So am I."
His mother shook her head with a smile.
"You've been hungry since sunrise."
Ye Luo looked genuinely offended.
"I was hungry before sunrise."
The room erupted with gentle laughter.
Even Ye Chen smiled.
For a brief moment…
The weight of the outside world disappeared.
Dinner was simple.
Rice.
Stewed vegetables.
River fish.
A pot of fragrant soup.
No expensive spirit beast meat.
No rare medicinal herbs.
Yet everyone ate together.
Ye Fu found himself watching his father more than his own meal.
Ye Chen spoke little.
He quietly placed the largest piece of fish into Ye Tian's bowl.
Then another into Ye Fu's.
Finally…
He placed the last and biggest portion into Ye Luo's bowl.
Ye Luo's eyes lit up.
"I knew Father loved me the most."
Ye Tian puffed out her cheeks.
"He only gave it to you because you'll cry if you don't eat enough."
"I never cry."
"You cried last month when Mother hid the snacks."
"I was… emotionally surprised."
Ye Fu laughed so hard he nearly dropped his chopsticks.
For the first time that day…
The heaviness in his chest eased.
Night slowly settled over the Ye Clan.
The sounds of celebration faded one by one until only the chirping of insects remained.
Moonlight spilled across the courtyard, turning the old plum tree into a silver silhouette.
Unable to sleep, Ye Fu quietly stepped outside.
The cool night air brushed against his face.
He wandered without thinking.
His feet eventually carried him toward the old training ground behind their house.
There…
Someone was already sitting beneath the plum tree.
Ye Chen.
His hands rested upon his knees.
His eyes remained fixed upon the moon hanging high above the mountains.
The breeze stirred a few strands of silver through his black hair.
In the moonlight…
He looked older than he had that morning.
Not weak.
Simply…
Tired.
Ye Fu hesitated.
Then walked forward quietly.
"Father…"
Ye Chen smiled without turning around.
"I thought you couldn't sleep."
Ye Fu sat beside him.
For a while…
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was the silence shared between two people who didn't need many words.
Finally…
Ye Fu lowered his head.
"…Father…"
"May I ask you something?"
Ye Chen nodded gently.
"You may."
Ye Fu stared at the ground.
His fingers slowly tightened.
"Today…"
"The elders said…"
"…you were once a genius."
A breeze passed between them.
The plum blossoms rustled softly overhead.
Ye Chen closed his eyes.
For a long time…
He said nothing.
When he finally spoke…
His voice was calm.
"So…"
"You heard."
Ye Fu nodded.
Another silence followed.
Then, without bitterness or pride…
Ye Chen smiled.
A quiet smile filled with memories.
"Yes."
"I was."