The moment Xie Bohuai spoke, he frightened everyone into trembling kneels. With a cold sweep of his gaze, no one dared to breathe heavily.
Even Ye Wanning was speculating why Xie Bohuai would say such things.
When the person didn’t dare respond to Xie Bohuai, he withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Ye Wanning.
Their eyes met across the space. In Xie Bohuai’s ink-black pupils, Ye Wanning couldn’t discern his thoughts, so she had to temporarily give up. Instead, she ordered people to bring the storyteller forward. “With both witnesses and material evidence present, I wouldn’t mind taking this to the Prefectural Office to clarify whether it’s a misunderstanding.”
Upon hearing about involving the authorities, Xu Zhuling panicked even more, frantically signaling to the matron with her eyes. But the matron was blocked by Yunzhi, leaving Xu Zhuling with no way to seek help. She could only kowtow to Ye Wanning pleadingly.
“It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have made you angry, sister. You can blame me however you want, but this Yupei and the storyteller… I don’t know anything about…”
“You’re going to say you don’t know about this either?” Ye Wanning saw right through Xu Zhuling. Leaning down with a faint smile, she said, “You only know this one trick. But who are you crying for? We’ve been making a scene at this entrance for so long – why hasn’t Zhou Yu come to say a single word in your defense?”
They both knew perfectly well that Zhou Yu was inside the residence.
This time, Ye Wanning had come fully prepared. Even if Xu Zhuling came out to stall for time, her people would block all exits to prevent Zhou Yu from escaping.
This time, she would win, and Xu Zhuling was destined to lose completely.
Xu Zhuling fell silent, unable to think of any words to refute. Only when she heard Ye Wanning order her belongings to be thrown out did she wipe her tears and stand up. “Sister, your wedding with cousin is approaching. Aren’t you afraid of damaging your relationship by driving me out like this?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Xu Zhuling realized she had spoken impulsively.
Ye Wanning had already stepped over the threshold. Mention of Zhou Yu stirred overwhelming hatred in her heart, but she maintained a calm smile on her face. “Zhou Lang and I have shared affection since childhood. For someone insignificant like you who has committed shameless acts, do you really think Zhou Lang would blame me for your sake?”
To kill someone, you must destroy their heart. Ye Wanning was the legitimate eldest daughter of an aristocratic family, while Xu Zhuling was merely the daughter of a village chief – the difference between heaven and earth. No matter how much Zhou Yu might fancy Xu Zhuling in his heart, he would publicly support Ye Wanning.
Entering the courtyard, Yunzhi immediately led people to move the belongings.
A servant brought a wooden chair for Ye Wanning. Just as she was about to sit, she noticed Xie Bohuai and his attendant had also entered.
Perhaps sensing her surprise, Xie Bohuai considerately explained, “Speaking of which, our two families are distant relatives. Since you’re facing difficulties today, I should naturally stay to lend support for a while. There’s no need for formalities, Miss Ye. I’m not particular – I can sit anywhere.”
With that, he crossed the corridor and casually took a seat.
Ye Wanning, however, couldn’t sit still. Distant relatives?
The Ye Family and Xie Family were connected through marital ties several generations back – she couldn’t even remember whether it was through a branch aunt’s grandmother, or that grandmother’s aunt who married into the Xie Family. They had long ceased contact – how could they be considered relatives?
But since Xie Bohuai had already seated himself, Ye Wanning couldn’t very well drive him out. After all, everyone knew it was better to offend a stray dog than to offend Xie Bohuai of the Zhenfu Si.
The man was ruthless, vicious, and held grudges.
Ye Wanning truly couldn’t understand where Xie Bohuai found the leisure to insist on meddling in her affairs.
Whether in her past life or the past eighteen years, she had no personal relationship with Xie Bohuai. Shortly after her marriage in her previous life, Xie Bohuai led troops to the border, achieving illustrious military merits within six months, yet he ultimately died on the battlefield.
Such a man was someone she absolutely could not afford to offend.
“Thank you for your trouble, my lord.” Ye Wanning invited Xie Bohuai inside to sit, but he declined. At that moment, Yunzhi came to deliver a message, whispering that Lord Zhou was in the backyard. After casting a glance at Xie Bohuai, she led her people rushing to the rear courtyard.
The residence had three courtyards, not particularly large. As soon as Ye Wanning saw Zhou Yu, she heard him launch into accusations, “I didn’t know Zhuling had feelings for me, but she is my cousin. Even for the sake of my reputation, you should have brought her inside to talk. Why make a scene at the entrance?”
Zhou Yu’s father died early, and he was raised by his widowed mother. After passing the imperial examinations, he was arranged by the Ye Family to study at an academy in Jingcheng, with all expenses covered by the Ye Family. He and Ye Wanning were supposed to marry three years ago, but after her parents passed away one after another, the wedding was repeatedly postponed.
Last year when Zhou Yu achieved the top score in the imperial examinations, everyone praised the Ye Family for their benevolence, saying that if not for their emphasis on loyalty, they wouldn’t have gained a top scholar as a son-in-law.
Those who used to mock Ye Wanning behind her back now praised her fortunate destiny. Ye Wanning herself was wholly devoted to preparing for marriage, even personally embroidering her wedding dress.
Now, before she could even question why Zhou Yu was here, he had taken the offensive first, making it rather laughable.
She must have been utterly blind in her past life not to see that Zhou Yu was a wolf in sheep’s clothing who devoured people without spitting out the bones. She suddenly recalled Xie Bohuai’s assessment of her – indeed, she had been blind.
“I originally intended to speak inside, but Xu Zhuling stopped me at the entrance.” Ye Wanning harbored immense hatred toward Zhou Yu, but for now she had to maintain composure and navigate carefully. “Without even asking for details, you immediately blame me. Could it be that you two are mutually attracted?”
“Nonsense!” Zhou Yu retorted loudly. “I conduct myself with integrity. How dare you treat me as some shameless villain?”
“Is that so? Then why are you here?” Ye Wanning posed the crucial question.
While Ye Wanning was arguing with Xu Zhuling, Zhou Yu had already prepared his excuse. “Today is my day off. I originally intended to visit your brother for tea, and happened to pass by this place, so I came in to check. My cousin and I have never had any improper relationship. I didn’t come out earlier because I was afraid you would misunderstand. Don’t overthink it.”
A cousin checking on his cousin living alone seemed reasonable enough. To catch adulterers, you need to catch them in the act. Since Ye Wanning hadn’t caught them in bed together, she indeed couldn’t prove their relationship.
However, this was within Ye Wanning’s expectations. In her previous life, the Ye Family was executed to the last member, and she herself ended with a ruined reputation and a miserable death. Given a second chance, she didn’t plan to let Xu Zhuling and Zhou Yu die so easily – she wanted them to experience despair first.
“Fine, I believe what you said.” Ye Wanning twisted her handkerchief to wipe the corner of her eye, appropriately showing vulnerability. “I’m not an intolerant person. Given that you’re young and accomplished, Zhou Lang, it’s natural for Xu Zhuling to admire you. But she shouldn’t have slandered the Ye Family. She can no longer stay here. If you care for her, you should take her in with you.”
Before Zhou Yu achieved the top scholar title, he had been living with the Ye Family. His current residence was purchased after he became the top scholar last year, by which time Xu Zhuling was already living here. Since Zhou’s mother hadn’t come to Jingcheng, having Xu Zhuling move in with him would mean an unmarried man and woman living together. Fearful of damaging his reputation, Zhou Yu hadn’t allowed Xu Zhuling to relocate.
Moreover, Zhou Yu believed that Ye Wanning was completely submissive to him and would never suspect him, never imagining such a thing could happen.
Now, having him bring someone over—even if Ye Wanning trusted him—outsiders would gossip about him and Xu Zhuling having an improper relationship.
He and Xu Zhuling had grown up together, and it was only through the Xu family’s support that he had been able to study and pass the imperial exams. Xu Zhuling held a special place in his heart.
But no woman, no matter how unique, was more important than Zhou Yu’s own future.
“There’s no need. Since her intentions are impure, I will send someone to escort her back to her hometown. Now that the bandits there have been suppressed, I’ll purchase a few acres of farmland for her as repayment for the Xu family’s kindness toward me.” Zhou Yu said with a sincere gaze, “Wan Ning, I don’t want anyone or anything to come between our bond.”
Ye Wanning suppressed her disgust and nodded in agreement. Just as the two stepped out of the room, Xu Zhuling rushed over in tears.
“Cousin, save me!”
Ye Wanning deftly sidestepped, not even glancing at Xu Zhuling, but Zhou Yu knew he had to make a choice between the two.
Zhou Yu’s ability to establish himself in Jingcheng relied heavily on the Ye Family’s support—something his colleagues were well aware of—so the outcome was obvious.