“Ah—!” Ye Lingzhou grimaced in pain. Clambering up from the floor, he shouted and raised his fist to strike back.
Ye Sangzhi seized his fist in one grip, holding him immobile.
“Let me go, you wicked woman, you shrew!” Ye Lingzhou roared, his face pale with rage.
“Say that again and I’ll kick you once more. Say it again, and I’ll break your leg. See if I’m joking.” Ye Sangzhi looked every bit the villain, utterly unashamed of threatening her own brother. She truly wanted to break his leg. Yet she also thought of how he had grown up unloved in this household, and her heart ached for him.
“Wicked woman!” Ye Lingzhou still muttered stubbornly.
“Speak properly!” Ye Sangzhi tightened her grip. “What should you call me?”
“Ah—I was wrong, Elder Sister. You’re my elder sister. Please let me go. I’ll go to lessons tomorrow, I promise.” Ye Lingzhou felt his hand about to snap, fear creeping in.
Better to admit fault—otherwise his hand would break before his leg.
“Really? You’re not lying?” Ye Sangzhi tilted her head, skeptical.
“Really, I’m not lying!” Ye Lingzhou nodded frantically.
“Then… fine. I’ll believe you this once.” Ye Sangzhi reluctantly released him.
Ye Lingzhou collapsed onto the floor, resting a moment. Then, when she wasn’t looking, he scrambled up to run.
“Where are you going?” Ye Sangzhi was faster, yanking his collar. “Behave. Go to bed. Tomorrow morning, I’ll personally escort you to the academy.”
“…Got it.” Ye Lingzhou’s mouth twisted in fury.
Detestable. Absolutely detestable!
“Watch Second Young Master. If he sneaks out, I’ll take it out on you,” Ye Sangzhi warned the servants.
“Yes.”
Once assured he wouldn’t try tricks, Ye Sangzhi left at last.
At dawn, Ye Lingzhou was woken by noises outside. He threw off his quilt, ready to lash out, but saw someone at his desk. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating. “Ye Sangzhi? Why you?”
Then he recalled last night’s events. His arrogance deflated. “Elder Sister.”
So early—she really meant to drag him to lessons.
“Second Brother, since you’re awake, wash up quickly. I’ll wait outside.” Ye Sangzhi smiled gently.
“Got it.”
Ah, wicked woman!
Ye Lingzhou seethed inwardly. Fine, he’d go. She couldn’t watch him study. Once she left, he’d skip class again. The tutor wouldn’t care—he’d prefer not to be bothered. But when he finally dressed and stepped out, his birds and crickets were gone.
Nanxing and several maids were tidying the study.
“My Little White, Big One, Feifei—where are they? Where did you put them?” Ye Lingzhou grabbed Sangzhi in panic.
Ye Sangzhi blinked. So he even named those little creatures.
“They’ve gone where they belong. Don’t worry. You should be studying now. Come.”
“No! Tell me—did you throw them away, or sell them?” Ye Lingzhou was nearly in tears. “Wicked woman! I knew you had no good intentions. You’re just like Father—hateful!” He bared his teeth, neck stiff, like a fighting cock ready to brawl.
Originally, Ye Sangzhi only meant to scare her foolish younger brother a little. But seeing his extreme reaction, she thought of another approach and softened her tone: “I didn’t harm them. They’re fine. But I won’t return them to you now. If you can restrain yourself, study properly, and behave well, then I’ll consider whether to give them back.”
“Wicked woman! Why should I believe you?” Ye Lingzhou glared at her with hostility.
He remembered how Father had once taken something precious from him and given it to Third Sister, promising compensation but then forgetting. When Ye Lingzhou asked, Father scolded him for not respecting his sister.
“Because you have no choice. I am your elder sister. We are siblings of the same mother, bound by blood. I want the best for you—just as Grandfather did.” Ye Sangzhi’s gaze was so sincere that Ye Lingzhou’s guarded heart eased a little.
Grandfather? He remembered—Grandfather was the only one who had ever truly cared for him. But Grandfather was gone. If only he were still alive.
Thinking of Grandfather, Ye Lingzhou fell briefly silent.
Ye Sangzhi didn’t press further. She ordered his servant to bring his books and led him straight to the family academy.
The Ye family academy mostly taught the clan’s sons, and sometimes relatives sent theirs too—but that had been in Grandfather’s time.
Back then, Grandfather had spent heavily to hire learned tutors. He himself would lecture when free. His prestige filled the academy with eager students, families vying to send their children.
Ye Sangzhi’s favorite thing had been to accompany Grandfather to lessons. Everyone respected him, and to please him, they would flatter her, slip her treats, and ask about his preferences. She never lacked such things, but each time she felt proud—having such a remarkable grandfather was glorious.
But now…
The academy was nearly empty. No trace of its former bustle remained.
Well, not entirely empty. One tutor remained—Master Hua—and two students sat inside, older than Ye Lingzhou.
Ye Lingzhou reluctantly greeted Master Hua and sat down. Ye Sangzhi then invited the tutor out to speak.
“You are Eldest Miss, aren’t you?” Master Hua asked cautiously.
“Yes, it’s me. Long time no see, Uncle Hua.” Ye Sangzhi greeted politely, without arrogance.
Master Hua had once had a bright future. Though poor, he was diligent and passed the imperial exam at a young age. But on returning home to bring his mother to the capital, he was attacked by bandits. He was wounded, his foot tendon severed, leaving him crippled. His mother, frail from years of sewing to support them, did not survive the ordeal. By law, the disabled could not hold office. After three years of mourning, his career was ruined. He grew depressed, wasting his days.
Grandfather, learning of his plight, pitied him and recommended him to teach at the capital academy. Out of respect for Grandfather, no one openly objected, and some offered him courtesy. But behind his back, many mocked him—his birth, his disability. Even his betrothal was broken.
Not wanting to trouble Grandfather, he endured silently. Yet someone eventually told Grandfather, who then brought him to the Ye household as a tutor.