“But the Eldest Miss went out early this morning,” Steward Ye Cheng said helplessly.
“What, she went out?” Concubine Wei’s face changed. “Where did she go? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Ye Cheng shook his head. “I don’t know.” He truly didn’t—asking the Eldest Miss wouldn’t get an answer anyway.
“Hmph, she’s quick to hide.” Concubine Wei snorted, then calmed herself. “Let Madam Sun and her daughter‑in‑law wait a while. Send people to look for the Eldest Miss. If you can’t find her, I’ll go meet them.”
“Yes, Madam.” Ye Cheng understood her meaning and left.
Back in the front hall, he apologized to Madam Sun. “Madam Sun, forgive me. Our Eldest Miss is not at home. Though Concubine Wei manages the household, she never dares interfere in matters concerning the Eldest Miss. Please be patient. I’ll send people to find her and have her explain to you directly.”
“What do you mean? Your Eldest Miss even bullies the concubine in charge?” Madam Sun caught the implication and pressed.
“I dare not speak of my masters’ affairs. Please forgive me,” Ye Cheng replied vaguely.
Madam Sun’s daughter‑in‑law knew her brother and brother‑in‑law well. Her brother was fickle, never distinguishing right from wrong, always chasing advantage. Her brother‑in‑law adored following Ye Qingzhou and Third Miss Sangli, believing everything they said or did was right. So when she heard they’d been beaten at the restaurant, her first thought was that they had spoken wrongly and offended Eldest Miss. She hadn’t wanted to come when her mother‑in‑law insisted. But now, seeing how even the steward and concubine feared Eldest Miss, perhaps she truly was domineering and intolerant.
“Of course it must be so. Could it really be Yunzong’s fault? Even if you don’t trust him, surely you trust your own brother?” Madam Sun said unhappily.
“Yes, Mother,” Qian Xiu replied quietly, waiting obediently.
Meanwhile, Ye Sangzhi had already arrived at Guanwei Hall. She listened as Shanglu explained the trouble at the clinic.
“The patient who caused the disturbance was sent by the manager of Ren’an Hall across the street. The faulty medicine also came from them. Their goal was to frame us, to shut down our clinic.”
Shanglu was indignant. Fortunately, he wasn’t foolish—he had evidence proving their innocence. But Ren’an Hall’s manager had pushed the blame onto a mere errand boy. As he left, he even threatened Shanglu, saying Ren’an Hall’s backers were too powerful to offend, warning him to keep his head down and not steal their business.
“Have you investigated? Whose property is Ren’an Hall?” Sangzhi asked calmly.
“Not yet,” Shanglu admitted, frustrated. He had thought opening a clinic would be glorious, like their eldest brother. He wanted to share the burden. But barely had they begun when rivals tried to sabotage them. Though no great harm was done, the injustice burned. He didn’t know where to vent it. Their eldest brother must have endured much, carrying such responsibility alone.
“Then keep investigating. Report to me once you know.” Sangzhi instructed firmly.
“Rendong, prepare these herbs for me. I’ll take them later.” Ye Sangzhi handed over a list of medicinal ingredients and produced a banknote.
Rendong accepted the list but not the money, smiling. “Senior Sister, this is our own clinic. Why pay for herbs?”
Ye Sangzhi smiled firmly, leaving no room for refusal. “Business is business. Record it in the accounts. I’m back at the Ye household now—I have money.”
She had gone to the accounts office that morning specifically to withdraw funds. After all, she was the Eldest Miss—spending some money was perfectly reasonable.
“Alright, as you say.” Rendong happily went to fetch the herbs.
Seeing this, Shanglu’s frustration vanished. He sidled up shamelessly. “Senior Sister, my short sword has been awkward to use for ages. It really needs replacing. Do you think maybe…” His words were to Sangzhi, but his eyes darted toward her sleeve—was that banknote tucked there?
Ye Sangzhi looked at him with disdain. “I have no money left. Ask Nanxing.”
“Nanxing, then.” Shanglu turned to her with no shame.
Nanxing pursed her lips, slowly opened her purse, and handed him a few silver pieces. “Brother Shang, spend carefully. The Ye family may be wealthy, but Miss has only just returned. She can’t take whatever she wants.”
Thinking of Miss’s family made her sigh.
“I know, I know. I won’t waste it. Thank you, Senior Sister, thank you, Nanxing.”
Shanglu was instantly energized. His old sword had been a cheap buy when he first trained with his brothers, but now it was chipped and useless. With money, he could buy a proper one. Next time Ren’an Hall caused trouble, he’d quietly deal with it.
“Yes, Senior Sister, I won’t bring trouble to you or Senior Brother,” Shanglu promised.
At the Ye estate, the men Ye Cheng had sent out had no idea where the Eldest Miss had gone. They wandered aimlessly and returned empty‑handed.
Concubine Wei deliberately kept Madam Sun and her daughter‑in‑law waiting, hoping to deepen their dislike of Ye Sangzhi. So the two women sat the entire morning.
Tea cups were emptied and refilled, emptied again. By the time they were desperate for the privy, Concubine Wei finally arrived, slow and unhurried.
Madam Sun was already furious. Seeing only a concubine, she showed no courtesy. “I hear Concubine Wei manages the household. You must be very busy—meeting you is no easy task.”
Concubine Wei’s face wore just the right touch of grievance, her posture humble. “Madam misunderstands. I did not mean to delay meeting you. But our Eldest Miss has forbidden me from interfering in her affairs. The day she returned, I asked a few questions, and she struck the old servant who had attended me for years. So when you came today, I thought she knew. I am only a concubine, entrusted temporarily with household matters. I have no right to receive you.”
Madam Sun despised concubines who overstepped their place, trying to rise above the proper wife. Yet Concubine Wei’s plain dress and low demeanor made her seem unlike the scheming women of the Sun household’s back courtyard.