“Thank you, Eldest Miss Ye. With your words, I feel reassured.” Old Madam Zhou sincerely expressed her gratitude. Her husband had died young, leaving her to support the household and raise her son alone. Naturally, it had been exhausting. But now her son had succeeded, favored by the emperor, and at such a young age had already been appointed as a Censorate Inspector—such hardship had been worthwhile.
“Madam, you are too polite. If you need anything in the future, you may always come to the Ye household to find me,” Ye Sangzhi replied warmly.
Though the Ye family was wealthy, she herself needed to earn money. With Old Madam Zhou as a beginning, she would surely be introduced to more patients.
At Luoxia Valley, there were many little disciples to support. Her master and Grandfather Cen were elderly; she needed to earn enough to ensure their later years remained carefree, with good food and comfort.
And if her master picked up more strays, that would be another expense. When her junior brothers and sisters grew up and married, she would need to help them establish households. As their senior sister, she had responsibilities.
Counting on her fingers, Ye Sangzhi realized—money was needed everywhere. Most of it ended up in her master’s mouth. He never neglected his appetite.
The new clinic in the capital couldn’t yet be counted—it was far from breaking even. Her eldest senior brother was kind‑hearted, often giving medicine free to those who couldn’t afford it, even supporting the destitute with his own money.
Her second senior brother was unreliable, no better than their master. He had left years ago, claiming he was going to repay a debt of gratitude, but no one knew to whom or for what. Perhaps he had died somewhere.
As for Shanglu and Rendong, their medical skills were mediocre, their martial arts passable. They could only do odd jobs at the clinic, not yet capable of earning much.
Feeding themselves was already good enough.
So the burden of supporting the sect fell mainly on her and her eldest brother. It was truly not easy.
While Ye Sangzhi was thinking, Madam Zhou thoughtfully presented three hundred taels of silver. “Eldest Miss Ye, I know you are of noble birth and surely not lacking in wealth. But you saved my mother‑in‑law and treated her illness. I must show my gratitude. Please accept this, and don’t disdain it.”
“Madam, you are too generous. It was only a small effort. Your thoughtfulness is enough—this is too much.”
Though she longed to accept it all, propriety demanded restraint. A gentleman loves wealth but takes it rightly. This was indeed a large sum.
During her travels, sometimes she had not a single coin, sometimes she earned a hundred taels at most. This was the first time someone directly offered three hundred.
“Too much? I think it’s too little. If you don’t mind, I hope to keep in touch with you often,” Madam Zhou insisted.
This Eldest Miss Ye was clearly genuine. Though her husband cautioned her to be careful in social dealings, Ye Sangzhi had been away from the capital for years and was still unmarried. Contacting her was harmless.
Besides, Ye Sangzhi’s medical skills were excellent. Friendship with her could only bring benefits. Everyone eats grain—who doesn’t fall ill? There would surely be times they needed her help again.
Ye Shangzhi planned to have Shanglu send the silver to Wuzhou later. Wonderful!
With the matter settled and the money received, Ye Sangzhi didn’t linger and politely took her leave.
Madam Zhou needed to care for her mother‑in‑law, so she sent a trusted maid to escort Ye Sangzhi out.
At the gate, Ye Sangzhi happened to meet Zhou Zhengyan returning home.
“Lord Zhou.” Ye Sangzhi greeted him properly.
“And you are…?” Zhou Zhengyan saw she was young, likely one of his wife’s acquaintances, and softened his stern demeanor.
“I am Ye Sangzhi. My father is the Minister of Personnel.”
“Oh, you are the young lady of Earl Huaiyi’s household? I’ve heard the Eldest Miss of your family is unruly, striking people in broad daylight at a restaurant—quite disgraceful. I hope you will advise her not to be so impulsive, lest she tarnish the Ye family’s name.”
He had served only a few years at the Censorate, rarely socializing with other officials, and was unfamiliar with their families. But he admired the late Elder Ye, renowned for his scholarship. During his own examinations in the capital, he had once met the elder, who gave him a few words of guidance that benefited him greatly. Though not formally a teacher and student, he regarded Elder Ye as a mentor. When Elder Ye passed away, he regretted being unable to attend the funeral. Since then, he had paid more attention to Earl Ye in court.
But Earl Ye… best not to mention. And this Eldest Miss—striking people at a restaurant! It was shameful, unworthy of his mentor’s legacy.
Had it been anyone else, he wouldn’t have spoken. But meeting a Ye family member, he couldn’t help but advise. Only afterward did he realize—he wasn’t sure which Miss she was. Judging by her demeanor, perhaps not the infamous Eldest Miss.
“Lord Zhou, I appreciate your good intentions and will remember them. I will indeed advise her. But I also have a word for you.”
“How strange! What word?”
Ye Sangzhi said tactfully: “Sometimes, what one sees is not always the truth. Lord Zhou is upright, a good official. I admire and respect that. But in your position, every word you speak carries responsibility.”
Zhou Zhengyan was puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Ye Sangzhi only smiled. “It’s late. I’ll take my leave.”
She departed without further explanation.
“Miss, why didn’t you clarify?” Nanxing asked once they left the Zhou residence.
“Lord Zhou wasn’t wrong. He meant well. And Madam Zhou will explain everything to him herself.” Ye Sangzhi climbed into the carriage, cheerfully opening a storybook to read.
Nanxing stayed quiet, accompanying her.
Meanwhile, Zhou Zhengyan went to the rear courtyard to see his mother. “Mother, how are you today?”
“Dear husband,” Madam Zhou greeted him, naturally taking his official hat and handing it to a servant.
“Zhengyan, you’re back.”
“Yes. On the way, I met a Miss from the Ye family and exchanged a few words.” He sat down.
“What a coincidence. Husband, you must thank her.” Madam Zhou poured him tea.
“Thank her? For what?” Zhou Zhengyan asked in surprise.
Madam Zhou smiled. “Oh, I didn’t explain clearly. That Eldest Miss Ye is the one who saved Mother on the road. She came today to deliver medicine. Once Mother finishes it, she’ll be completely cured. Shouldn’t you thank her?”
Zhou Zhengyan was even more bewildered. “She is Eldest Miss Ye? The one who struck people at the restaurant?”