The imperial envoy who delivered the decree was very polite, for this was a family much admired and favored by the Emperor. Despite being exiled, they were highly esteemed by the Emperor, and it was clear they would someday regain their status; offending them now would be unwise.
Along with the decree came four hundred taels of gold, all in ingots of ten taels each. Ye Shuangshuang promptly handed one silver ingot to the imperial envoy as a token of gratitude.
This was a customary practice, and the imperial envoy accepted it with a beaming smile. He then spoke two sentences to Ye Feiying and Ye Fangchen, "Old General Ye, General Ye, the Emperor still has both of you in his thoughts.
On my departure, the Emperor instructed me to remind you of two things: the road of exile is arduous, travel at a slower pace; if you encounter wind, frost, rain, or snow, refrain from proceeding, be cautious all the way, don't lose heart, the future is long."
