When she left, her younger brother was only a few days old—an ugly, crying little thing. By the time Grandfather passed away, she was away in Wuzhou, studying medicine and herbs with her master. She didn’t hear the news until two months later.
Grandfather Cen told her that before Grandfather died, he had sent word: she should stay safely in Wuzhou and not return to the capital. He said he had already made arrangements for her brother, enough to protect him.
Both Grandfather Cen and her master knew her family’s situation. Before completing her apprenticeship, she wasn’t allowed to leave. Afterward, she had planned to return quickly, but then Grandpa Cen fell gravely ill, and her master was away.
Grandpa Cen treated her like his own granddaughter—she couldn’t abandon him. That was why she only returned now.
“Master, the Eldest Miss still resents me,” Concubine Wei said once Ye Sangzhi had gone, seizing the chance to poison Ye Yunchang’s ear. She could not allow father and daughter to reconcile.
“It’s all my fault. Eldest Miss hasn’t seen you in years—she should be happy. But because of me and my children, she’s angry. I shouldn’t have come along.”
“How can this be your fault? That matter back then had nothing to do with you. When the madam returns in a few days, we’ll all dine together, and I’ll speak properly with Zhi’er.”
Ye Yunchang felt uneasy. How could his own daughter treat him so coldly? At least his eldest son and younger daughter were sensible. He thought again of how he had wronged Concubine Wei and her children. He had promised to raise her to wife after mourning ended, but the old master had forced him to remarry instead.
Taking Concubine Wei’s hands, he said: “Yao‑niang, don’t worry. I know all the grievances you’ve suffered. I won’t let Zhi’er bully you, nor let our children be wronged. Though they’re called concubine‑born, I don’t hold such prejudices. They’re all my good children.”
Concubine Wei smiled softly. “With those words, I’m content.”
At supper, Ye Lingzhou returned to the estate. Hearing his elder sister had come back, he rushed straight to her courtyard. Seeing her, he was surprised—this elder sister was actually quite pretty, especially her brows and eyes, which looked like his own. He just didn’t know if she’d be easy to get along with.
“Second Brother,” Ye Sangzhi greeted first.
“You… are you really my sister?” Ye Lingzhou asked, doubtful.
She smiled gently, not at all like the rumors he’d heard.
“Yes. We share the same mother—we’re true siblings. You were only a few days old when I left the capital. It’s natural you don’t know me. But as we spend time together, we’ll grow familiar.”
Nanxing handed over a box. Ye Sangzhi opened it. “These are gifts I prepared in Wuzhou. See if you like them.”
Ye Lingzhou instinctively accepted. Inside was a jeweled dagger, finely made, and a set of excellent scholar’s tools. The items were fine—but he didn’t like them.
“Thank you, Sister. But I don’t need these. You should keep them.” He hated martial training and study. Just seeing these things gave him a headache. He’d rather play outside.
“If you don’t like them, I’ll prepare something else,” Ye Sangzhi said, watching his expression.
Ye Lingzhou’s eyes lit up. “Really? Today I lost a game with friends and I’m short on money. Do you have any?”
The estate’s accounts could give him silver, but the clerks were stingy, and they always reported to Father, who scolded him. Annoying. If this convenient elder sister gave him more, he could buy a bigger, stronger quail. Next time he competed with his friends, he’d surely win.
“You should receive twenty or thirty taels each month as pocket money. For daily needs, the household provides or you can draw extra from the accounts. The fabric you wear is the most fashionable—surely you’re not short of money? Is there something you want to buy?”
Ye Sangzhi neither agreed nor refused, asking gently.
When Grandfather was alive, his letters always praised her younger brother as obedient and gifted in his studies, and he planned to hire a great scholar to teach him when he grew older. After Grandfather’s death, the boy was raised by Stepmother Jiang.
Now, seeing him in person, his temperament seemed very different. But since they hadn’t met in years, with no bond between them, she couldn’t show anger—it might frighten him.
“That allowance isn’t enough to treat friends to a meal. Don’t ask so much—just tell me if you’ll give me money.” Ye Lingzhou grew impatient, unwilling to talk further.
“I do have money, and I can give it to you. But you must tell me what you’ll use it for.” Ye Sangzhi found it impossible to reconcile this spoiled boy with the sweet child Grandfather had described. They seemed like two different people. Yet the face was unmistakably her brother’s. What had his life been like since Grandfather’s death?
Ye Lingzhou lifted his chin, sulky. “If I tell you, will you lecture me like Father? If you’re just going to preach, you don’t deserve to be my sister.”
Then, with mock seriousness: “I want to buy a quail—one that fights. The ones I bought before were too weak, not fierce enough.”
“Fine. I’ll give you money. Go buy it.” Ye Sangzhi smiled thinly and ordered Nanxing to hand him a purse.
Ye Lingzhou snatched the money and dashed off without another word.
Once he was gone, Ye Sangzhi’s smile vanished. “Bianliu, investigate everything that happened in the Ye household after Grandfather’s death—especially concerning Second Brother.”
Though she wanted to thrash her bratty brother, she held back. His life these past years had likely not been easy. Father was a muddle‑headed fool, devoted only to Concubine Wei and her children. As for Stepmother Jiang, her character was unclear. Best to wait for the facts.
“Yes, Miss,” Bianliu replied.
Perhaps because she hadn’t been home in years, Ye Sangzhi slept poorly that night, plagued by dreams. By morning, dark circles shadowed her eyes.
“Miss, what happened to your eyes?” Nanxing asked, bringing water for her wash.
“It’s nothing. Come out with me later.”
“Yes.”
Ye Sangzhi changed into a plain dress, took two of her own invigorating pills, and went with Nanxing to the newly opened Guanwei Hall in the city.
Back in Wuzhou, Grandfather Cen had introduced her to her master.
Her master was a man of the martial world, highly skilled, dabbling in many arts, but eccentric and friendless. He and Grandfather Cen were close, often drinking together.
Her master thought Ye Sangzhi was very talented. After Grandfather Cen refused several times to let him take her as a disciple, he finally seized the chance when Grandfather Cen was drunk—and “stole” her away.