“What do you mean, striking people at a restaurant? What are you talking about?”
Madam Zhou and the old lady were confused.
So the family went over the matter again.
“That’s impossible. Mother, the Miss Ye you spoke of—the one who saved you—was gentle, kind, and chivalrous. How could she be the same Eldest Miss of Huaiyi’s household? That Eldest Miss fought with the sons of the Qian and Sun families, and even her own half‑brother, at a restaurant. Many people know of it. They must be two different people,” Zhou Zhengyan said, incredulous.
“I’m not senile yet. Eldest Miss Ye is the good child who saved me. If she struck them, then they surely deserved it. She is the most reasonable person.” The old lady immediately defended her. “Zhengyan, you didn’t say anything harsh to her just now, did you? Let me tell you—she saved my life, treated my illness, and cared for me all the way to the capital. She is my benefactor, and therefore the Zhou family’s benefactor. You must not mistreat her. If you spoke wrongly, you must apologize.”
“Yes, husband, Mother is right. Both she and I like Eldest Miss Ye very much. She is beautiful, kind‑hearted, and skilled in medicine. How could such a good girl be a brawler? You must investigate carefully, don’t wrong her,” Madam Zhou added.
“But… today in court, I impeached Earl Ye, saying he failed to raise his daughter properly. His Majesty scolded him for it,” Zhou Zhengyan admitted awkwardly.
He realized he had been rash. Truthfully, he simply disliked Earl Ye.
“If he were my mentor, I’d want to thrash him myself to vent my anger.”
“Oh heavens, how could you impeach her father? That’s offending them outright!”
The old lady struck him with her fist in anger. “You’re good in many ways, but too rigid. Tomorrow you must go to the Ye household and apologize. Do you hear me?”
Zhou Zhengyan immediately refused. “Impossible! Mother, I am a censor. If I visit the Ye household, it will look like private dealings with officials, forming factions. That must not happen!”
The old lady grew even angrier, wanting to hit him again. “What nonsense! Tomorrow or the day after—you must go apologize to Eldest Miss Ye. Otherwise, I won’t take my medicine. I’ll let myself die.”
“Mother, why suffer so? Please don’t upset yourself.” Zhou Zhengyan panicked, unwilling to argue further. But he still resisted apologizing. As a censor, he could not risk accusations of impropriety.
Madam Zhou tried again. “Husband, don’t worry. You’re not befriending Marquis Ye. If anyone asks, simply say Eldest Miss Ye saved your mother and you went to thank her. I’ll go with you. Then no one will gossip.”
“This…” Zhou Zhengyan hesitated.
“Oh, stop dithering. You are a censor, yes, but also a son. She saved your mother. As a son, thanking her is natural, righteous. Who would dare criticize that?”
The old lady sighed. Her son hadn’t been like this as a child. Officialdom had made him foolish.
“Fine. In a few days, when I have leave, I’ll go. My wife will accompany me.”
After much persuasion from mother and wife, Zhou Zhengyan reluctantly agreed.
“Good. It’s settled,” Madam Zhou said happily.
Meanwhile, back at the Ye household, Sangzhi returned and, with nothing pressing, asked Bianliu: “What has Second Brother been doing these past days?”
“Second Young Master finds excuses every day to skip lessons and go out to play,” Bianliu replied.
Ye Sangzhi frowned slightly, her tone calm as she asked.
“There’s a young master from the Li family, called Li Jin’an. I heard the two of them often go to places frequented by idle sons of noble houses. I inquired—apparently their favorite is a place called *Liuyun Pavilion*. It’s very large, with many entertainments: listening to music, watching dances, playing pitch‑pot, gambling, watching plays, hearing storytellers…” Bianliu paused, embarrassed, then continued: “They can also pit birds and beasts against each other… even consort with courtesans.”
By the end, Bianliu’s face had turned red.
“Hah, no wonder he’s always short of money.” Ye Sangzhi laughed in anger.
That brat—so young, yet already so decadent. If Grandfather were still alive, he’d be furious enough to die again.
“Has he returned yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Come, let’s sit in his courtyard. I haven’t visited it since returning.” Ye Sangzhi lifted her skirts and headed toward Ye Lingzhou’s quarters.
Nanxing and Bianliu hurried after her.
Soon they arrived outside.
Before entering, they heard chattering sounds inside.
“Second Young Master keeps birds in his courtyard?” Nanxing asked curiously.
The servant on duty had been sneaking food, but seeing them, he quickly hid it and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Greetings, Eldest Miss.”
“Mm. I’ll just take a look. Carry on,” Ye Sangzhi said, walking toward the noise.
The servant dared not leave. “Does Eldest Miss wish to see Second Young Master’s crickets and birds?”
“Mm. He likes these very much?” Ye Sangzhi asked casually.
“Yes. Second Young Master treasures them, never lets anyone touch them. He even has a special room for insects and birds, and personally tends them every day. Once they’re well trained, he takes them out to play.” The servant spoke honestly, not daring to lie.
“Eldest Miss may look freely, only please don’t touch. Otherwise, Second Young Master will be angry.”
“Understood.” Ye Sangzhi had already entered the insect‑bird room.
Crickets, quails, parakeets, tarantulas… All sorts, more than ten cages.
The room was decorated warmly, with plants, water features, tools, and food—all expensive. Any single item could support a poor family for a long time.
Ye Sangzhi’s eyes narrowed. She suddenly picked up a sword from the tool pile. Opening it, she saw it was meant for exercise. But the blade was caked with dirt, the tip chipped—clearly used for digging soil.
“How did this happen?” Ye Sangzhi asked, holding up the damaged, muddy sword.
“That’s from when Second Young Master dug for earthworms,” the servant answered, head lowered.
“And this?” Ye Sangzhi set down the sword and slowly pulled two books from beneath a birdcage.
Ye Lingzhou had used books as cage props? Truly her good brother, Grandfather’s good grandson.
Ye Sangzhi’s teeth ground audibly. She wanted to tear the place apart immediately. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to endure. Then she carried the sword and books to the study.