As soon as she stepped inside, Ye Sangzhi felt her blood surge with fury.
The study was utterly bare, save for a few paintings of cockfights and bird fights.
Excellent. Truly excellent.
She took a deep breath, then turned toward Ye Lingzhou’s bedroom.
By comparison, the room was more normal—though cluttered with all sorts of odd things, it was at least tolerable.
“Eldest Miss, do you mean to wait here for Second Young Master’s return?” the servant asked cautiously, seeing her dark expression.
“Yes. I’ll wait here for him. You may leave.” Ye Sangzhi forced herself to remain calm.
“Yes.” The servant dared not argue and withdrew obediently.
“Bianliu, go find Lingzhou. Bring him back immediately. If he refuses, gag him and drag him here bound.”
“Yes.” Bianliu hurried off.
Nanxing sighed. Truly vexing—if Second Young Master weren’t Miss’s own brother, she would have beaten him herself. Miss had it far too hard.
“I’m not angry. Lingzhou has grown into this because I, as his elder sister, failed. I’ll set him straight myself, guide him onto the right path.”
And if she couldn’t, then one dose of poison would send him to join Grandfather, Grandmother, and Mother. Otherwise, the Ye family would surely be ruined.
Near dusk, Bianliu finally brought Ye Lingzhou back.
“You wanted me?” Ye Lingzhou lifted his chin, impatient.
“Second Brother, where have you been? It’s nearly dark.” Ye Sangzhi softened her tone, testing if he would tell the truth.
“What’s it to you?” Ye Lingzhou blurted instinctively.
Ye Sangzhi frowned, raising her voice. “What did you say? I am your elder sister—how dare you speak to me like that?”
“I’ve always spoken this way. Besides, we’re not close.” Ye Lingzhou muttered discontentedly: “What do you want from me? If you have something to say, say it. If not, go back. I want to rest.”
Ye Sangzhi pressed down her anger, forcing a smile. “I hear you neglect your studies and martial training, often skipping lessons with excuses, and frequenting Liuyun Pavilion with friends. Is this true?”
“Yes.” Ye Lingzhou sprawled lazily in a chair, utterly unconcerned.
“Why? Tell me your reason. Is someone in the household mistreating you, preventing you from studying and training—or is this your own choice?” Sangzhi asked, still trying to remain gentle despite his behavior.
“I am the heir of the Earl’s household. When Father dies, I’ll be the new Earl Huaiyi. Everything in the Ye family will be mine. Studying and training are exhausting—why should I suffer? Isn’t it better to enjoy myself?”
After all, no matter how well he studied or trained, Father would never like him. Nor would Concubine Wei, Eldest Brother, Third Sister, or Mother. None of them liked him.
Since no one cared, and the Ye family’s inheritance was destined to be his, why bother? Better to enjoy more, spend more—then others would have less. He thought it was great. As long as others didn’t benefit, he was satisfied.
“You’re right—you are the heir. Grandfather secured that for you. But if you don’t study, don’t learn, only indulge in pleasure, then that heirship can be changed.”
Father was foolish, Concubine Wei and her children scheming, and Ye Lingzhou only squandered and played. Did he really expect to inherit the Ye family? The family would be ruined before then.
“Ye Sangzhi, you want to replace me? Replace me with who? Aren’t you my elder sister? Whose side are you on?”
Ye Lingzhou ignored everything else, only catching the words “change the heir”. He immediately shouted in protest.
“Idiot!” Ye Sangzhi finally lost patience and cursed.
“Second Brother, I know that ever since Grandfather passed, few in the household have truly cared for you, which is why you’ve become like this. But now that I’ve returned, I will do my best to be a good elder sister and make it up to you.”
Her tone shifted. “But… when Grandfather died, you were already old enough to understand. Even if Father favors Concubine Wei and her children, neglects you, and doesn’t care, you should not have turned out like this.”
Outwardly, no matter how biased or selfish Father was, Ye Lingzhou, as the legitimate son, never lacked food or clothing. His treatment was not poor.
The tutor chosen to teach him and the servants assigned to him had all been selected while Grandfather was alive. Servants might be bribed, but the tutor would never betray his duty.
Though Ye Sangzhi hadn’t yet met the tutor since returning, she knew he was half a student of Grandfather, someone Grandfather trusted. If Ye Lingzhou skipped lessons, it was his own fault, not the tutor’s.
Concubine Wei might wish him dead, seeing him as an obstacle to Qingzhou, but she wouldn’t dare act openly—only scheme in secret.
Thinking this, Ye Sangzhi stepped forward and took Ye Lingzhou’s wrist to check his pulse. Fortunately, his body was sound. He didn’t look fat, but he was strong as an ox.
“What are you doing?” Ye Lingzhou yelped, jerking away and leaping aside.
“Nothing,” Ye Sangzhi coughed lightly. “Starting tomorrow, you will attend lessons properly. No more skipping. If you dare, I’ll break your legs so you can’t go anywhere.”
She could heal them afterward anyway.
“And I’ll have all those insects and birds dealt with. Your study will be restored to its proper state. From now on, stay away from those idle companions who drag you to cockfights and bird matches. Study properly. I don’t expect you to be as learned as Grandfather or to earn high office. But as a descendant of the Ye family, at least don’t disgrace Grandfather’s name.”
“Ye Sangzhi, who are you to control me? We’re not even close. You yourself cause trouble outside, fighting people, and you dare lecture me?” Ye Lingzhou retorted angrily.
He was furious—she dared touch his things, forbade him from playing. On what grounds?
“On the grounds that I am your elder sister. On the grounds that I *can* fight. If you disobey, I really will break your legs.” Sangzhi threatened fiercely.
She had no idea how to raise children—especially an eleven‑year‑old in rebellion. But the “broken leg warning” had worked well on her junior disciples, most of whom were orphans and obedient. It should work on Ye Lingzhou too.
If not, then more beatings—pain would teach him obedience.
“Ye Sangzhi, I hate you! You shrew! Just try touching my things!” Ye Lingzhou roared, like a wolf cub, slamming the table, glaring, and pointing at her in challenge.
*Bang!* Ye Sangzhi kicked him hard, sending him sprawling to the floor.
She didn’t care how he had lived these years. To dare speak to his elder sister like that—he deserved a beating. Venting her anger came first.