“Cousin, you’re being foolish!” Zhou Yu shook off Xu Zhuling’s outstretched hand and proactively stood by Ye Wanning’s side. “The Ye Family has shown you immense kindness. How could you spread malicious rumors about them?”
“No, I didn’t! Cousin, please let me explain.” Xu Zhuling’s heart sank. In truth, those rumors about the Ye Family had been spread at Zhou Yu’s instigation, but his current attitude made it clear she was to take the blame. “It’s truly a misunderstanding. You know I’ve never even dared to watch chickens being slaughtered since childhood. How could I…”
“Enough! Your refusal to repent disappoints me deeply! Had I known you were this kind of person, I should have sent you back to the village two years ago.” Zhou Yu put on a pained expression as he announced his decision.
He understood Ye Wanning’s ways perfectly – a girl raised in a great family never acted without certainty. That Ye Wanning had come here to expel someone meant her patience had reached its limit.
This time, he had been careless.
Stealing a glance at Xu Zhuling, he hoped she would be clever enough to understand that this talk of sending her away wasn’t genuine, but merely a performance for Ye Wanning’s benefit.
Pacifying Ye Wanning was now the most crucial matter. His marriage arrangement with her must not encounter any complications.
Upon hearing she was to be sent away, Xu Zhuling was naturally unwilling. But catching Zhou Yu’s meaningful look, she knew there was no room for reversal. Today, she had been careless, never expecting Ye Wanning to possess such methods, which she had completely failed to detect.
Kneeling and kowtowing, Xu Zhuling remembered to maintain her character before departing. During my stay here, I am grateful for Wanning’s and my cousin’s hospitality. I’m merely a helpless woman who cannot refute whatever others say, but I believe the truth will eventually come to light. Now that I’m returning home, we may never meet again. I wish you both peace and prosperity.”
Listen to how cleverly worded this was.
Hinting at her innocence while still expressing gratitude for Ye Wanning’s hospitality, generously offering blessings.
Had this been the Ye Wanning of her previous life, she might have softened and let her stay. But now, she regarded Xu Zhuling as nothing more than a trivial plaything.
Never meet again? How unlikely. Zhou Yu still valued Xu Zhuling highly – why else would he have married her as his principal wife after divorcing Ye Wanning?
But what use was his regard? Women were merely stepping stones for Zhou Yu’s social climbing.
Seeing the matron arrive with packed belongings, Ye Wanning said bluntly, “Since your things are packed, get out.”
Xu Zhuling’s face paled then flushed. She felt today’s Ye Wanning was completely different – the previous Ye Wanning would never curse so directly, preferring to convey dissatisfaction through veiled sarcasm. Yet the person remained the same, that aloof, ethereal face completely unchanged.
Despite her resentment, Xu Zhuling could only leave.
Zhou Yu felt uncomfortable staying, his mind preoccupied with how to rearrange Xu Zhuling’s situation, and soon made his excuses to leave.
When Ye Wanning returned to the front courtyard, she was surprised to find Xie Bohuai still there. Seeing him in official uniform, he should have been on duty today – why was he so free?
“Miss Ye, do you truly trust Zhou Yu that much?” Xie Bohuai suddenly asked.
Ye Wanning feigned confusion.
“Never mind. This official has pressing matters to attend to.” Xie Bohuai didn’t press further. Pausing in the courtyard, he heard a soft “Take care, Your Excellency,” and snorted faintly, his thin lips curling. Qingshan nearby instinctively ducked his head.
The master and servant left the residence, with Qingshan not daring to breathe too loudly. Having grown up with his master, he knew the lord was angry. But as for the reason behind the anger, he pondered for a long time without any clue. Tentatively, he whispered, “Third Lord, didn’t you dislike the Eldest Miss Ye?”
Xie Bohuai turned sideways, “Who told you that?”
Qingshan instinctively replied, “Two years ago, at the birthday banquet of the Right Minister’s wife, didn’t you publicly say that Eldest Miss Ye was blind? I was terrified at the time. Although Lord Ye has passed away, the Ye Family has deep roots, and the Ye family members dote on Eldest Miss Ye.” He knew his master had offended many people, but he feared that if there were too many, one day he might face retaliation.
Xie Bohuai’s gaze paused briefly on Qingshan’s face before he mounted his horse. “If you have time to think about such matters, it seems you’re still too idle. When we return, chop a cartload of firewood and then run ten laps around the camp.”
“Ah?” Qingshan didn’t understand which part of what he said was wrong, but his master had already ridden several yards ahead, so he had to quicken his pace to catch up.
Meanwhile, Ye Wanning was having someone burn mugwort leaves. “Burn more to ward off the bad luck. Tomorrow, summon the realtor and sell this place as soon as possible.”
After giving these instructions, Ye Wanning boarded the carriage back to the Ye Family.
In truth, the Ye Family had not been doing well these past few years.
The Ye Family had few members. In her father’s generation, there were only two brothers. Her second uncle was an average official, remaining obscure in the Ministry of Revenue over the years. Five years ago, her father passed away, and her eldest brother, who had just reached adulthood, shouldered the entire family. The burden was so heavy that he couldn’t afford to make even a single mistake, causing him to look ten years older despite being in his twenties.
Her Second Brother had failed the imperial examinations twice in a row and was now clamoring to go south to engage in business. However, in the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, how could a scion of their noble family be allowed to become a merchant? Their grandmother threatened to take her own life to stop him, refusing to agree no matter what. Second Brother simply stopped attending the academy, spending his days drinking and playing with cats, which also hindered his marriage prospects.
Below Ye Wanning, there were two younger sisters and one younger brother. Her younger brother was still quite young and seemed well-behaved, but her two younger sisters had already reached marriageable age and were at the stage of being introduced to potential matches.
However, the Ye Family had been quiet for several years and still had to maintain the facade of a noble family. Their expenses had exceeded their income in recent years, leaving them in strained circumstances. This was one of the reasons Ye Wanning had come to reclaim the residence.
“Sigh.”
At this thought, Ye Wanning let out a long sigh. Just then, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Ye residence.
As soon as she entered the house, Feng Momo, who served her grandmother, came forward to greet her. “The Old Mistress sent this old servant to wait here. Second Young Master went out to look for you. Did you not run into him?”
Ye Wanning shook her head, “Why was Second Brother looking for me?”
“To support you, of course. One can know a person’s face but not their heart. Who would have thought that Xu Zhuling would turn out to be so wicked?” Feng Momo was quite indignant.
Ye Wanning had informed her grandmother in advance about expelling Xu Zhuling. Now that the matter was resolved, she followed Feng Momo to De Rong Courtyard. Lifting the curtain to enter the room, she first saw her two younger sisters, their faces full of concern.
Her second younger sister, Wanyu, grabbed Ye Wanning’s arm. “Grandmother said the rumors defaming the Ye Family these past days all came from Xu Zhuling. Eldest Sister, you should have taken me with you. If I had been there, I would have given her two slaps on the spot!”
Her third younger sister, Wanhua, had reddened eyes. “El… Eldest Sister, were you bullied?”
“I went prepared—how could I be bullied?” Ye Wanning smiled as she wiped her sister’s tears. “Good sister, don’t cry. Your sister is just fine.”
Leading her two younger sisters into the inner chamber, Ye Wanning feared her ailing grandmother would worry, so she first explained the sequence of events.
Old Madam Ye had fallen ill due to Xu Zhuling’s provocations. A few days earlier, when Ye Wanning returned to the ancestral home for memorial rites, Xu Zhuling paid a visit. In veiled remarks, she hinted at her childhood bond with Zhou Yu and their close relationship. Having lost her son, Old Madam Ye was deeply concerned about her grandchildren. Sensing Xu Zhuling’s unusual intentions, she grew anxious all night and fell ill the next day.
When Ye Wanning returned, she reassured her grandmother, vowing she would never allow herself to be bullied.
No one knew that the Ye Wanning who returned from the ancestral rites was reborn. After strategizing with Yunzhi, she had taken her servants out early that morning.
“Now can Grandmother rest and focus on recovering?” Ye Wanning smiled, holding her grandmother’s hand. She had been raised under her grandmother’s care and shared a deep bond with her.
Old Madam Ye breathed a sigh of relief but remained somewhat uneasy. “Our Ye Family has no ties with the Xie Family. Why would Xie Bohuai involve himself in your affairs?”
Ye Wanning shook her head, but her younger sister Ye Wanyu interjected with a startling remark, “Elder Sister, could it be that Commander Xie has taken a liking to you?”
As the eldest daughter of the Ye Family, Ye Wanning was renowned for both her talent and beauty. Even before her mother passed away, her reputation had spread far and wide. It was only due to her prearranged marriage that the Ye Family’s doorstep hadn’t been worn down by suitors.
“Don’t speak nonsense,” Old Madam Ye immediately defended her granddaughter. “Your elder sister has always been proper and has barely met Xie Bohuai. Do not say such things again. From now on, all of you must keep your distance from him. He is now a close confidant of the Emperor. While we do not engage in sycophancy, we must not offend him either. Someone like Xie Bohuai is not suitable for the Ye Family to associate with.”
Ye Wanyu quickly covered her mouth, not daring to say more.
Ye Wanning nearly laughed. While she couldn’t vouch for others, she was certain Xie Bohuai had no interest in her. The incident at the banquet two years ago remained vivid in her memory.
After comforting her grandmother, Ye Wanning led her sisters away. She would handle the matter with Zhou Yu herself—her grandmother’s health could not withstand any further strain.
Back in her courtyard, the servant Ye Wanning had sent to tail Xu Zhuling returned with a report: “The young lady is shrewd. Official Zhou visited Miss Xu but did not send her away. Instead, he settled her in another residence. When no one was around, I climbed the wall to observe and saw a child, about three or four years old, calling Miss Xu ‘Mother.’”