"Everyone, please dispense with formalities." Ye Haoxuan lifted his hand slightly.

After everyone took their seats, these petty officials and wealthy merchants first flattered Haoxuan for quite a while, before offering him drinks and gifts.

Some gave silver and coins, others offered estates, and some even presented beauties.

Despite his good temper, Ye Haoxuan couldn’t help but feel angry at the sight.

However, since Zhong Yongqian was still regarded as the benefactor of the Ye Family, Ye Haoxuan held back his anger and called him over to dismiss these people first.

When only Zhong Yongqian remained in the room, Ye Haoxuan asked, "County Magistrate Zhong, where did you find my sister?"

Zhong Yongqian quickly glanced at "Ye Rongyue" and replied, "While surveying the riverways in my jurisdiction, I came upon a village and encountered her there. As my family is remotely related to the Situ Residence, two years ago, during the wedding of the Situ Family’s eldest son, I had visited and glimpsed Miss Ye from afar at the Situ Residence gates, which is how I recognized her."

"However, Miss Ye seems to have no recollection of past events. When asked about the matters in the Capital City, she said she was unaware."

Ye Haoxuan heard this and turned the wine cup in his hand, nodding, "I see."

"This matter is thanks to County Magistrate Zhong." Ye Haoxuan had someone fill his cup, raised it, "This prince offers County Magistrate Zhong a toast, such great kindness will not be forgotten by me."

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!"

After County Magistrate Zhong sat down, Ye Haoxuan spoke about Funan Prefect’s term nearing its end, implicitly indicating his intent to promote Zhong Yongqian, who was exceedingly pleased.

Moreover, with the enthusiasm of the drink, the other party mentioned knowing some things about the Situ and Ye Families, and thus, upon discovering the matter, did not report it to the Situ Family, intending to directly return "Ye Rongyue" home, but coincidentally learned of Ye Haoxuan’s presence locally and turned back midway.

Ye Haoxuan pondered this, Zhong Yongqian is quite adept at maneuvering. After hearing his words, should they be disproved later, he could claim he did not clearly see Yueyue’s appearance, only glanced from afar, hence mistakenly identified her. Since the imposter Yueyue couldn’t remember who she was, he did not report to the Situ Family, so all his errors could be excused, even Situ Family could be excluded.

After a full meal and drink, Ye Haoxuan’s entourage left.

After seeing them off, Zhong Yongqian stood where he was, smiling with narrowed eyes.

"Master, this Lian girl has really landed on better branches."

"Naturally, now recognized, even if the real Miss Ye returns in the future, having been nurtured in the Ye Family for years, surely there will be affection; by then adopting a righteous niece or something, we’ll benefit just the same."

Saying this, Zhong Yongqian was very pleased. When he initially found her in the countryside, he was astonished. If he hadn’t investigated the Lian Family’s ancestry thoroughly, he would have believed he had truly found the Ye Family’s eldest daughter.

Zhong Yongqian chuckled and said, "This Lian Xue’er has become a Miss of the Ye Family, henceforth, I have leverage over them. In future, what official position couldn’t I achieve?" Thanks to his ingratiating the Situ Family efficiently, otherwise, he wouldn’t have discovered the Ye Family’s loss, nor would he casually pay attention and find her.

"Congratulations, Master, offer my felicitations, Master!"

Zhong Yongqian was very self-satisfied, yet he was unaware that on Ye Haoxuan’s side, the "Ye Rongyue" had already betrayed him.

"You’re saying you’re not my sister?"

"Yes!" Lian Xue’er lowered her head and said, "The commoner girl is from Hulu Village in the town of Chewang, Henghe County. Ancestors were all country folk, never been to the city. But one day, Lord County Magistrate had someone bring the commoner girl back to the county office and even took her parents and siblings. I beg the prince to save the commoner girl’s parents! County Magistrate Zhong said, if the commoner girl doesn’t obey him, he’ll kill the commoner girl’s parents."

Ye Haoxuan heard this and examined her, coincidentally as she raised her hand to wipe tears, he noticed her palm.

Ye Haoxuan sensed something: a rural girl, yet her palms lacked the calluses from labor.