After Grandfather passed, Master Hua never left. He chose to remain at the Ye household and continue teaching.
Father had many faults, but he cared about appearances, so he didn’t drive him out.
“Good, good. Eldest Miss has returned—that’s wonderful. You’ve suffered much these years outside,” Master Hua said with emotion. He had thought he might never see her return.
“Uncle Hua, I brought Second Brother today because I want to understand a few things,” Ye Sangzhi said directly, without beating around the bush.
Grandfather had once said Master Hua should be treated as family. Other tutors received stipends, but Master Hua had always been paid a monthly salary, with food and lodging equal to the household’s masters. Yet today his clothes were thin, worse than those of the stewards. His outer robe looked years old, washed pale, threads fraying. Though of Father’s age, he looked ten years older. Clearly, Father had neglected him.
Living in the Ye household, Master Hua knew of Ye Sangzhi’s return and had heard of her fight. He thought to himself that she wouldn’t be bullied anymore. So he spoke: “Your father… you know what he’s like. He doesn’t pay much attention to Second Young Master. The boy used to be obedient. The Madam—your stepmother—doesn’t mistreat him, but she isn’t his birth mother. As for Concubine Wei, your father listens to her in everything…”
Haltingly, he recounted what he had seen in the household. He had come to the Ye family because of the old master. After the old master’s death, he had no reason to stay. He could have left—his years of teaching at Ye household would have made finding work easy.
But Ye Sangzhi hadn’t returned, and Lingzhou had no one to guide him. If he left, how could he face the old master? So he endured. Though Earl Ye often disliked him, docking his pay and cutting his food and clothing, he hadn’t expelled him. Outwardly, appearances were maintained.
After all, Master Hua wasn’t truly Ye family. He had no right to demand more.
“The old master treated me with great kindness, yet I failed to teach Second Young Master well. I am ashamed,” Master Hua confessed.
“It’s not your fault, Uncle Hua. Father rules this household. That you’ve stayed until now is already remarkable. You’ve worked hard,” Ye Sangzhi said sincerely.
Glancing inside, she asked curiously, “And those two?”
“Oh, the one at the back is Concubine Wei’s nephew, Wei Ming. The one in front is Madam’s nephew, Jiang Zhe. Both were admitted with Earl Ye’s approval to study here.”
Master Hua sighed helplessly. He hadn’t wanted to teach them, but Earl Ye forbade him from tutoring Ye Lingzhou alone.
Sometimes Ye Lingzhou skipped lessons, but with those two present, Master Hua couldn’t refuse.
“Truth is, Second Young Master’s truancy is often encouraged by that Wei boy. I’ve caught them several times. I’ve tried to advise him, but my words carry little weight, and he won’t listen.”
Jiang Zhe rarely spoke, but Wei Ming often quarreled with Ye Lingzhou, provoking him with words. Ye Lingzhou, young and hot‑tempered, couldn’t stand him. They often fought.
Whenever Earl Ye was disturbed, regardless of fault, Ye Lingzhou was always the one scolded and punished.
Under such circumstances, Ye Lingzhou naturally grew weary of study.
By rights, a tutor should not gossip about others, but facing the Eldest Miss, Master Hua felt he could not conceal the truth. Since she had brought Second Young Master to lessons today, perhaps she could discipline him.
“I understand, Uncle Hua. From now on, I’ll make sure Lingzhou attends class on time every day. If the other two say anything to him, just tell me and I’ll handle it.”
“Good. With Eldest Miss’s word, I’m reassured.” Master Hua immediately understood—his duty was simply to teach Lingzhou well.
“Though it’s spring, Uncle Hua, you must still keep warm. Be careful not to catch a cold,” Ye Sangzhi said, noticing the chapped skin on his hands.
“Thank you for your concern, Eldest Miss. My health is fine,” Master Hua replied, warmed by her kindness.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
At the door, Ye Sangzhi told Ye Lingzhou’s servant, Aji: “Watch Second Young Master closely. If he skips lessons again, come to my courtyard and report.”
“Ah?” Aji was stunned. “Eldest Miss, if Second Young Master finds out I did that, he’ll be furious.”
He hated being controlled. If he learned Aji was reporting behind his back, he might break his legs.
Ye Sangzhi’s tone turned stern: “You serve him. Your duty is to care for him. Right now, what he must do is study. If he runs off and something happens, can you bear the responsibility?”
“I understand,” Aji answered obediently. Eldest Miss was his true sister—surely she wouldn’t harm him.
Leaving the academy, Ye Sangzhi instructed Bianliu: “Go to the accounts office and check whether Master Hua’s monthly stipend has been paid regularly. Then visit the kitchens—see if his meals are being shorted. If so, tell them from today, whatever the masters eat, Master Hua eats the same. Say it’s my order. Also, find a broker and buy a companion for Lingzhou—someone literate, preferably skilled in martial arts. If not, buy several. We need obedient attendants in our courtyard too.”
Before Bianliu could reply, Steward Ye Cheng arrived.
“Eldest Miss, Madam and Third Young Master have returned and wish to see you.” Remembering the beating from the other day, Ye Cheng looked at Ye Sangzhi with hidden resentment.
Though he masked it well, Ye Sangzhi noticed.
“Seems Steward Ye’s memory isn’t very good.”
“Why does Eldest Miss say that? I come at Madam’s order, to invite you to pay respects.”
“Eldest Miss is the master. You are the servant. Is this the proper attitude toward her?” Bianliu glared at him.
“I may be a servant, but I was born into this household and have managed affairs for years. Why should Eldest Miss humiliate me without cause?” Ye Cheng fumed. Did she think her status allowed her to disregard him? She was a venomous woman.
Even as Eldest Miss, she would one day marry out. With such arrogance, she would surely be bullied in her husband’s home—and who would care then?
“It’s nothing. I simply don’t like the sight of you. From now on, when you see me, keep your head lowered so I don’t feel sick at the sight of your face.” Ye Sangzhi smiled innocently and walked away.
She ate and drank from the Ye family, yet her heart lay with Concubine Wei, which disgusted Ye Sangzhi. Of course, she disliked him.