Meanwhile, in Ye Qingzhou’s courtyard, Concubine Wei and Ye Sangli sat on either side of him, fussing with concern.
“Qingzhou, tell Mother—how did you get hurt? Was it Lingzhou?” Cocnubine Wei asked suspiciously.
That little brat—so young, yet so troublesome. Hiring thugs to attack wouldn’t be beyond him.
“It wasn’t him. It was his sister, Ye Sangzhi.” Ye Qingzhou’s face was dark as he recounted everything that had happened at the restaurant.
“She? She’s outrageous! She even struck Sun Yunzong and Qian Zhongwen?” Ye Sangli was incredulous.
Crazy—Ye Sangzhi was a madwoman! To cause trouble the moment she returned—did she care nothing for reputation?
Ye Qingzhou gnashed his teeth. “Mother, she resents you for her mother’s death, for being sent away from the capital. She’s back now to take revenge on us.”
“That wretched girl! Even without me, Zhang Yue would have died in childbirth. Yet she hates me so! I’m no soft persimmon to be squeezed at will.”
Concubine Wei’s hand instinctively touched the scar hidden beneath her hair. Old grudges and new—there could never be peace between them. So be it. If faces must be torn, let them be torn. But would the Sun and Qian families tolerate this? Their households might not match the Ye family’s prestige, but their sons couldn’t simply be beaten.
“I’ll go to your father. We must visit them and apologize properly.”
“Mother, what will you do?” Ye Sangli asked quickly.
Though Sun Yunzong was unimpressive and plain, he was generous to her, often sending gifts. For those alone, she had to treat him kindly. And Qian Zhongwen was generous with her brother. Both were useful allies. If they distanced themselves because of Ye Sangzhi, it would be a pity.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.” Concubine Wei instructed, “But Sangli, that Sun boy has feelings for you. Be careful in your dealings with him. Don’t let outsiders see and spread harmful gossip, understand?”
Her daughter might be a concubine’s child, but with the master’s love and the Ye family’s backing, her future husband must match in status and character.
The Sun family’s rank was passable, but Concubine Wei disdained it. Sun Yunzong was only a second son, with little ability. When the family divided, he’d inherit little. Concubine Wei herself was a concubine; her daughter must never bow low again. She must be a principal wife, honored and respected.
Besides, the Sun family’s eldest son had married a Qian daughter. The Qians were merchants—wealthy but low‑born, unworthy of the stage. If Sangli married into the Suns, she’d be tied to the Qians too, lowering her status. Concubine Wei would never allow it.
Ye Qingzhou’s dealings with the Qians were merely mutual convenience.
Ye Sangli nodded obediently. “Mother, I know my limits. I’ll keep my distance from him.”
Her mother always thought of her and her brother. She understood. And truthfully, she didn’t like Sun Yunzong anyway.
“That’s good.” Concubine Wei’s voice softened. Ye Qingzhou and Ye Sangli were her hopes for the future. She would pave their way. “Find a chance to meet the Song family.”
Soon, it would be Old Madam Song’s birthday. The Songs were imperial kin, their sons promising and virtuous. If Ye Sangli performed well, Concubine Wei would beg the master to arrange a marriage with the Songs—a brilliant match.
As for Ye Qingzhou, for now, he must focus all his energy on studying. Only once he earns some scholarly rank will he be able to match with a noble young lady.
That very night, Concubine Wei went to Ye Yunchang to lodge her complaint.
Of Concubine Wei and her children’s schemes, Ye Sangzhi knew nothing. Even if she did, she wouldn’t be afraid—she was only looking for an excuse to deal with Concubine Wei anyway.
Though she longed to kill Concubine Wei outright to avenge her mother—she had killed before—such a death would be too easy. She wanted Concubine Wei to confess her crimes with her own mouth, to suffer the same torment her mother had endured. That didn’t mean Concubine Wei would live comfortably in the meantime.
Early the next morning, Ye Sangzhi left with Nanxing. With the proper wife absent, she didn’t need to greet anyone.
Not long after she departed, Madam Sun—the mother of Sun Yunzong—arrived at the Ye household with her eldest daughter‑in‑law.
Steward Ye Cheng received them politely. Hearing they wished to see the madam, he looked troubled. “Madam Sun, our lady has gone with the young master to her family’s home and has not yet returned.”
“Then who else in your household can make decisions? Please bring them out,” Madam Sun said patiently. Though she had come to demand an explanation, her status required restraint.
Ye Cheng looked confused. “May I ask, Madam Sun, what brings you here?”
“Your Eldest Miss struck my son and my daughter‑in‑law’s younger brother. Isn’t that a serious matter? I expect your household to give us an explanation.”
At first, when she heard her son had been beaten, Madam Sun feared offending the Ye family. But she had learned that this Eldest Miss had not grown up in the capital, only returning a few days ago.
She had never even heard of this Eldest Miss before. It was Third Miss who was close to her son. That was why she brought her daughter‑in‑law along today.
“Currently, Concubine Wei manages the household. I’ll invite her to meet you.”
“That will do.” Madam Sun was displeased. To let a concubine run the household—Earl Huaiyi was truly muddle‑headed. Her own family had concubines, but none dared to wield such power. Still, a muddle‑headed earl had his uses. When she met them, she would demand satisfaction for her son.
“Please wait, Madam Sun, Madam Sun Junior.” Ye Cheng ordered tea and refreshments, then went to the rear courtyard.
Concubine Wei was at her dressing table, letting maids attend her. Hearing the Sun family had come, she smirked. “So early? Clearly that wretched girl went too far. But I’m not the proper wife—how can I go out to handle this? Tell her to explain and apologize herself.”
Last night, she had already complained to the master, who was furious, planning to send that wretched girl to the Sun household to apologize. If she truly had to go, her face would be utterly lost.
She hadn’t expected Madam Sun to be so vengeful, arriving at dawn. But it wasn’t wasted—she had secretly spread word of the girl’s lack of favor to the Sun family.
Now they had come themselves. Perfect. If Ye Sangzhi refused to apologize, she would see how the girl managed.