Ye Tiancheng's brow furrowed ever so slightly, yet he maintained his affable smile.
"Xiao Chu, in the three years you've been away, both your elder brother and second brother have found themselves girlfriends."
"And this wealth, which belongs to you, how could they, as your elder brothers, dare to take it from you?"
Ye Chu, disinterested in arguing, replied with a faint tone, "I may agree, but on one condition."
Ye Tiancheng's eyes brightened. "What condition? Speak."
Ye Chu took a deep breath. "I want to know who my biological father is."
He was already certain that Ye Tiancheng was not his true father.
Ye Tiancheng's expression stiffened, his eyes subtly darting toward the kitchen, where Xie Yushan was busy. His heart eased slightly.
From Ye Tiancheng's reaction, Ye Chu knew his guess had been correct. Ye Tiancheng's face darkened, and he growled, "What nonsense are you spouting? Am I not your biological father?"
"Are you?" Ye Chu sneered coldly. "Would a true father have his son imprisoned for someone else's crime? Would a true father marry him off to a comatose woman upon his release?"
Ye Tiancheng was struck dumb, unable to respond.
He was stunned, realizing that Ye Chu knew everything.
Originally, he had planned to deceive Ye Chu, to marry him into the Jiang family, and by the time he learned the truth, it would have been too late.
Ye Chu, his voice as cold as ice, said, "If you reveal the truth of my origins, I will agree to marry the Jiang family's daughter."
Ye Tiancheng's expression grew dark with rage. "Unfilial son, you dare to threaten me?"
Ye Chu's face remained indifferent. "Spare me the act of fatherly authority; you are unworthy of it."
Ye Tiancheng's face turned a shade of deep fury. "Unworthy son, do you think three years in prison means I cannot do anything to you?"
"Threaten me?" Ye Chu's tone was frigid, an overwhelming aura emanating from him. "Do you think I am the naive fool I was three years ago? The illegitimate son you could manipulate at will?"
"Put away your theatrics, you are nothing in my eyes."
"Ha, not just you—your entire Ye family. I could destroy it with a mere wave of my hand."
Ye Tiancheng shuddered, feeling an oppressive breath, as though he were being watched by a ferocious beast from the primeval wilderness.
At any moment, Ye Chu could crush him without hesitation.
Ye Chu suppressed his aura, his voice calm. "Reveal the truth, and I will agree to marry the Jiang family's daughter. That will repay your Ye family for raising me."
Ye Tiancheng froze for a moment, and Ye Chu seemed ordinary once more.
It was as though everything that had just transpired had never happened.
"Strange, what just happened? How could this little wretch possess such an aura? I must have been mistaken." He reassured himself, though a flicker of irritation rose in his chest from the moment Ye Chu had frightened him.
But for the sake of the marriage, he forced himself to suppress his emotions.
"Fine, I'll tell you."
Ye Chu leaned in, listening intently.
"You are indeed not my biological son. Your mother was my first love. She fell gravely ill and, with her parents gone, entrusted you to me."
"Out of respect for our past love, I promised her I would look after you."
"As for who your biological father is, I don't know."
Ye Chu fixed his gaze on Ye Tiancheng, discerning no trace of falsehood in his words.
Thus, the trail had gone cold once again.
But at least it was clear—his true father bore the bloodline of the Dragon Clan.
If he could find him, surely he would uncover the secrets of the True Dragon's bones. The question remained, how could he find him in the vast sea of humanity?
"I've told you everything," Ye Tiancheng said coldly. "Now remember what you just said."
"Also, this matter is between us. No one else must know, lest the reputation of the Ye family be tarnished."
Ye Chu's expression remained indifferent. "Rest assured, I honor my word. When shall we wed?"
Ye Tiancheng replied, "Tomorrow. Stay home today and wait; I'll have someone bring you some clothes to try on."
Soon, Xie Yushan laid out a feast of delicious dishes.
Upon hearing that Ye Chu had agreed, she was filled with joy.
After the meal, the couple immediately sent a pile of clothes for Ye Chu to try on, with the housekeeper assisting him.
The following day, Ye Chu, now dressed in a sharp suit, sat in the villa, awaiting the wedding procession.
He exuded an air of elegance, his face resolute, his eyes sharp, and his short-cropped hair giving him an aura of vitality.
He looked every bit the man of distinction.
"Third brother, your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. In the future, if you ever need anything, just ask your elder brother."
Ye Yichen clapped Ye Chu on the shoulder, his smile warm and genuine.
Upon hearing that Ye Chu was marrying into the Jiang family, he had returned hastily from out of town.
Though he harbored disdain for Ye Chu, the illegitimate son, as the eldest, he had to put on a good face.
Ye Chu shook his head. "No need. From now on, I have no ties to the Ye family."
He had seen through their shamelessness completely.
Ye Yichen's smile faded as he cursed silently, too disdainful to mask his anger. Soon, the wedding procession from the Jiang family arrived at the Ye household.
Ye Chu strode toward the door, never sparing a glance for anyone.
Xie Yushan cursed angrily, "What a disgrace! Three years in prison, and he's forgotten all manners!"
Ye Yichen comforted her, "Mother, he's just an illegitimate son; don't stoop to his level."
Ye Tiancheng added, "No need to argue with a criminal. The first branch has contributed, and it's time we ask Old Master for our reward."
Outside, Ye Chu, now seated in the wedding car, overheard their conversation clearly.
A cold sneer crossed his lips. "Ye family, just wait."
As the wedding procession made its way toward the Jiang family villa, Ye Chu sat back, calm and composed.
The Jiang family, a century-old noble clan in Jiangdu, was far beyond the reach of the Ye family.
Before long, the car arrived at the Jiang family villa.
Ye Chu followed the butler inside.
Inside the villa, Jiang Haiyun and his wife were hosting an elderly man with a square face.
"Master Li, thank you for all your hard work," Jiang Haiyun said, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Apologies, I was unable to assist," the elderly man, Li Zhengyuan, said apologetically. "Should I receive any news of the Medicine Emperor, I will inform you at once."
Li Zhengyuan, a master physician, had been hired by the couple at great expense.
But even he had been unable to awaken Jiang Junyao, so he recommended a legendary healer—The Medicine Emperor.
The couple bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Master Li."
Li Zhengyuan waved his hand and stood. "I must take my leave now."
Jiang Haiyun hurriedly stood to see him off.
Li Zhengyuan and Ye Chu crossed paths as the latter entered.
Ye Chu, intrigued, wondered who this man was—he seemed to know the Medicine Emperor.
The Medicine Emperor, the King of Herbs.
In ancient times, there was Shen Nong, who tasted all herbs; today, there is the Medicine Emperor, who distinguishes them all.
The Medicine Emperor, a towering figure in the world of alchemy, whose abilities defy the laws of nature.
It is said there is no ailment he cannot cure.
Though the Medicine Emperor was renowned, his fame mostly extended within the fields of alchemy and martial arts.
It was rare for ordinary people to know him.
Why does Ye Chu know him so well?
Because the Medicine Emperor is his master.
"You are Ye Chu?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ye Chu looked up to see Jiang Haiyun glaring at him with a scornful expression.
Ye Chu nodded slightly.
Jiang Haiyun's face darkened further. "I hear you've just been released from prison?"
Ye Chu nodded again.
Jiang Haiyun's expression grew even darker. "How dare the Ye family send a convict to marry into mine? Do you truly think that just because our branch has fallen, we are easy prey?"
"Enough, today is a day of joy. Let's not speak of such things," Han Mengjuan scolded her husband, then turned her eyes on Ye Chu with a satisfied look.
"Not bad, not bad. A fine young man, he's worthy of Junyao."
Jiang Haiyun snorted and turned to head upstairs, clearly dissatisfied with his new son-in-law.
"Old Lin, bring Junyao down," Han Mengjuan instructed the butler, then beckoned Ye Chu, "Xiao Chu, let's go upstairs."
Ye Chu silently followed.