Moreover, it wasn’t Concubine Wei who struck anyone. Word was that even Concubine Wei’s son had been beaten—by Eldest Miss Ye herself.
Seen this way, Concubine Wei seemed a little more tolerable. If what she said was true, then she shouldn’t be blamed so harshly.
Madam Sun’s expression softened slightly. “Then where is Eldest Miss Ye? She struck people without cause—she must give me an explanation.”
Concubine Wei feigned difficulty. “The steward has already gone to find her, but she had matters unfinished. I feared you would wait too long, so I broke propriety to come myself. Our Eldest Miss was raised outside for many years. Now that she’s suddenly returned, she may be a little temperamental. If she has erred and offended Second Young Master Sun and Young Master Qian, I apologize on her behalf. Later, we will send generous gifts. I hope Madam Sun will be magnanimous and not take offense at her.”
“That won’t do. Since Eldest Miss struck them, compensation aside, she must personally apologize.” Madam Sun was dissatisfied. She hadn’t come for token reparations. According to Wei, Eldest Miss was domineering and unruly, not easy to deal with. Surely Marquis Ye disliked such a daughter. If so, she must be forced to admit fault—otherwise, how could her son show his face?
If word spread that he’d been beaten by a wild girl, people would laugh themselves sick.
“And how exactly does Madam Sun wish me to apologize?”
Before Concubine Wei could answer, a clear voice rang from outside.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Ye Sangzhi entered slowly. Today she wore a smoke‑purple brocade gown patterned with begonia blossoms, over which was draped a moon‑white cloak trimmed with silver fox fur. As she walked, she seemed like drifting clouds. At her waist hung a crimson silk sash, from which dangled a small sandalwood gourd ornament that swayed lightly with each step. Her face was radiant and poised, eyes like spring water, lips curved in a faint smile. Unhurried, composed, she carried herself with dignity.
Her beauty stunned Madam Sun into silence. Before speaking, she was already calculating. Her eldest daughter‑in‑law was good in every way—her family had money, enough to support her son, and she had borne a grandson. But her birth was low. Her son loved her, so she had accepted it. But her second son, Sun Yunzong, must marry an official’s daughter. Not necessarily lofty, but at least equal in status. She knew Sun Yunzong liked Third Miss Ye, but that girl was concubine‑born. Even with Earl Ye’s favor, her birth couldn’t be changed. What help could she offer?
Eldest Miss Ye was different. Though temperamental, she was legitimate, beautiful, and her mother’s family was noble. The title remained, and her cousin was said to be favored by the emperor—reviving the family was only a matter of time. She would match her son well.
Bad temper was no obstacle. Once married, a daughter‑in‑law must obey her mother‑in‑law and rely on her husband. She could be tamed.
“You are Eldest Miss Ye?” Madam Sun asked, reassessing.
“Indeed. Madam Sun has come to demand an explanation for your son?” Ye Sangzhi walked straight to the seat opposite, meeting her gaze calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
Madam Sun saw she had no intention of admitting fault. Anger rose again. Sitting upright, she demanded, “Eldest Miss Ye, I’ll be plain. My son has always been proper. Why did you order your maid to strike him?”
Ye Sangzhi smiled faintly and explained calmly: “It seems Second Young Master Sun didn’t tell Madam the full story. Yesterday, in a private room at the restaurant, Second Young Master Sun, Young Master Qian, and my half‑brother together said I was disgraceful, ugly! They said my mother died early, my younger brother is a useless waste, and that the Ye family would one day belong entirely to my half‑brother, Ye Qingzhou.”
She glanced at Concubine Wei with a smile. “Oh, and they said they would never forgive me, that they’d make me suffer. Every word they spoke insulted me, my mother, and my brother.”
Her expression cooled. “Madam Sun, tell me—should I not have struck them?”
“This…” Madam Sun faltered. She hadn’t known the details. Yesterday, when Sun Yunzong returned, he had rushed to call a doctor, crying out in pain. When she questioned him, he claimed the newly returned Eldest Miss hated her half‑brother, and seeing him friendly with Qian Zhongwen and Ye Qingzhou, had beaten them without reason.
She had been furious, ready to storm over that very night, only restrained by her husband and eldest son until today. She hadn’t expected the accounts to differ so greatly.
Just moments ago, she had even thought to demand Eldest Miss marry her son as compensation. But now, she looked uncertainly at her daughter‑in‑law.
“Is what Eldest Miss says true?” Qian Xiu was also bewildered. Eldest Miss’s demeanor didn’t look like that of a villain. Perhaps she had been too narrow‑minded, assuming that because so many disliked her, she must be at fault.
“You must be Madam Sun’s eldest daughter‑in‑law? And Young Master Qian is your brother?” Ye Sangzhi asked, noting the younger woman’s gentler manner.
“Yes.”
“Then you surely know your brother’s character. What I said can be verified—just ask the waiter who served that private room yesterday. I was dining next door and heard them insult me, my brother, and my mother. In anger, I did indeed order my maid to act.” Ye Sangzhi spoke openly.
Then, still unsatisfied, she added sharply: “Madam Sun, my maid is just a girl, with thin arms and legs. Though she struck, her strength was hardly great. Yet your son, born of a military family, couldn’t withstand even a soft kick from a maid? Doesn’t that disgrace the Sun family’s name?”
Nanxing’s kick yesterday had nearly broken Sun Yunzong’s ribs—a pity. Next time, Ye Sangzhi thought, she would strike herself—make him lie abed for months.
Madam Sun, embarrassed before, now burned with fury. “You, a noble young lady, not only strike people but speak so outrageously… You are unreasonable, utterly bullying!”
“Eldest Miss, how can you speak like this? Hurry and apologize to Madam Sun,” Concubine Wei interjected, pretending to be the peacemaker.
“Concubine Wei, did you not hear what I just said—or are you selectively deaf?” Ye Sangzhi’s gaze turned cold.
“In truth, the blame lies with your son, Ye Qingzhou. I am his legitimate elder sister. My mother was his legitimate mother. Before my grandfather died, he secured my younger brother’s succession rights. Yet your son goes outside and joins others in insulting his legitimate sister and mother. Tell me, shouldn’t he be beaten?”