Having heard too many tales of people coming back from the dead, he had to make sure he was truly dead before sending him out. Besides, the poison he used needed four hours before it fully dispersed. Sending the body out later would also ensure that, once it was sent away, no one would discover he had been poisoned to death.

However, instead of dumping the corpse in the wilderness, he sent him back to White Stripe Mountain so that someone would still collect his body. That was his way of showing respect.

After four hours, dawn was almost breaking when Si finally came to report, "Master, it’s done."

Ye Haoxuan went into the room and gave him a glance before waving his hand. "Send him off."

By the time he returned to the city, the sky was fully bright. Seeing a snack stall by the roadside, he had his men buy some to take back.

"Hey... ha..."

As soon as he stepped into the residence, he heard Ye Rongqing’s distinctive practice shouts. The voice was loud, full of momentum, and very much his own style.

He stood to the side watching for a while. Only after Rongqing finished a full set of sword moves did he clap his hands. "Not bad. Seems you’ve improved quite a bit."

"Not ’seems’—I really have." Ye Rongqing took the handkerchief a servant handed him and wiped his face. When he saw the food in his brother’s hands, his eyes lit up. "Big Brother is Big Brother, you actually brought back so many treats—and they’re all specialties of Yun’an too."

"Go inside."

"Big Brother, how did it go?" Ye Rongqing was naturally asking about Situ Er.

"How else could it go? I sent him where he ought to go, and then I came back."

"And that Miss Bai?"

Ye Haoxuan paused mid-step and said, "We didn’t find her. But as long as she’s still alive, we’ll definitely be able to find her."

"You didn’t ask Situ Er what that woman’s background is?"

Ye Haoxuan shook his head in amusement. "You’re underestimating Situ Rui far too much. That man, even in death, would never tell me something like that."

"That’s true!"

He had the servants lay out the breakfast he brought back, and by then Li Luru and the others had also gotten up.

"Sister-in-law, come quickly. The breakfast Big Brother brought back—just from the smell I can tell these are clear-broth shrimp dumplings."

He’d spent several days correcting the way he addressed her, but Ye Rongqing still did as he pleased. Li Luru was helpless and could only let him call her that.

"Come have breakfast." Ye Haoxuan beckoned her. "You eat this. Your tongue is injured, so don’t have the shrimp dumplings. Drink some congee."

"Tsk, tsk..." Off to the side, Ye Rongqing smacked his lips and whispered to Ye Haoyang, "Look at Big Brother, so considerate. I’ve grown up this big and he’s never even served me a single bowl of rice."

Ye Haoyang unconsciously edged away from this foolish child. How was that even comparable?

The man was coaxing a woman who could bear his children. Could you?

Ye Haoxuan naturally heard this, and his eyes swept over like blades. "No talking at the table or in bed. Don’t you know that?"

"Right... I didn’t say anything just now."

After the meal, Ye Haoyang and Ye Rongqing tactfully went their separate ways.

Only then did Ye Haoxuan say to Li Luru, "That man is dead."

Li Luru clearly jumped in fright, her large eyes filled with disbelief.

"I told you I would avenge you, and naturally I had to make good on that."

He paused, then added, "As for the things he did, just let them go."

"In another couple of days, once things here are more or less settled, you’ll return to the capital with me," Ye Haoxuan said. "I’ll take you to the Mu Family to see a physician. They’ll definitely be able to help you speak again."

"Thank you."

Li Luru was moved. In his position, there were many scruples in everything he did. She had thought that leaving Situ Er bedridden for a few months was already the best outcome.

She hadn’t expected him to do even more.