Xie Jinyao was absolutely furious.
Upon returning to her room, she immediately dispatched her trusted maid to visit the Marquise at the estate, primarily to inform her of the events that had transpired in the Marquis Estate.
She needed her mother’s counsel.
When Marquis Zhongyong learned of this, he did not intervene.
He had just received news that Liu Shi had knelt all night and fallen ill.
It was just as well for Jinyao to understand her current situation—to take it as a warning and remain vigilant.
She must not repeat her mother’s mistakes.
Moreover, he was pleased to see his daughter showing filial respect to her elders.
“Do you think Ye Zhen knows martial arts?”
After venting her anger, Xie Jinyao recalled her original purpose in seeking out Ye Zhen and asked her trusted maid.
The maid replied, “This servant observed that she doesn’t appear to.”
She had been closely watching Ye Zhen while accompanying her young lady.
“It’s all that wretched servant’s fault.”
Thinking of Xing Ze, Xie Jinyao’s rage flared up again.
With this failed attempt at probing, it would be much harder to find another opportunity in the future.
Her father had already begun showing favoritism toward Ye Zhen. She couldn’t afford to anger him further, otherwise Ye Zhen would gain even more influence.
Then it would be even more difficult for her mother to return.
The maid offered a suggestion, “Young Lady, why not let the Ye family deal with her?”
Xie Jinyao’s eyes lit up.
She knew that her mother’s scheme against Ye Zhen this time involved the Ye family’s participation.
Although she didn’t understand why the Ye family would target their only remaining daughter.
But since they had taken action, they must also be unwilling to see Ye Zhen return safely to Jingcheng.
The Ye family was Ye Zhen’s maternal home. It would be much easier for them to deal with Ye Zhen than for her—just the pressure of filial piety alone could suffocate Ye Zhen.
Even if outsiders found out, most would suspect that Ye Zhen must have done something wrong to deserve punishment from her parents.
Considering this, she quickly summoned her maid and gave quiet instructions.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhen was also pondering a question.
During the over ten years she had spent at the estate previously, the Ye family had neither cared for her nor sent anyone to harm her.
Why had they helped the Marquise target her this time?
Had the Marquise offered them some benefit?
Or had some change occurred that made the Ye family dare not let her remain alive?
Or perhaps she had done something to anger the Ye family?
Ye Zhen ruled out the last possibility. Since returning to Jingcheng, although she had recognized the Ye parents’ insincerity, she had still believed they were her biological parents at that time.
No child doesn’t yearn for familial affection.
She was no exception.
Therefore, knowing that the Ye family wanted to curry favor with the Marquis Estate, even though her life in the estate was difficult, she tried to endure and keep a low profile to avoid implicating the Ye family, never causing them the slightest trouble.
After careful consideration, Ye Zhen could find no answers.
“Has the letter to Yin Yue been sent?”
Since she couldn’t figure it out, she would investigate.
But with only Wan Xing under her command now, it was truly inconvenient to accomplish anything.
She had cultivated some people outside, all managed by Yin Yue on her behalf over the years.
In her previous life, upon learning of her misfortune, Yin Yue had rushed to Jingcheng with their people, just as she was being sent away from the capital by the Marquis Estate. Along the way, commoners gathered to watch, insult her, and throw rotten vegetables and stones at her.
How could Yin Yue and the others bear to see her suffer such humiliation? They attempted to rescue her.
At that time, the commoners had been deceived by the Marquise and Ye Wantang, convinced that she was utterly wicked, and thus took out their anger on Yin Yue and the others, surrounding and beating them.
Yin Yue and the others couldn’t bring themselves to use lethal force against commoners, and were ultimately captured by Ye Wantang’s people and sent to the Ye family, meeting tragic ends.
This was one reason she had summoned them to her side early this time. In this life, she and her servants needed to coordinate in advance—she couldn’t let anything happen to them again.
Wan Xing, unaware of the pain in Ye Zhen’s heart, quickly nodded.
When it concerned her young lady, she never dared to be negligent.
Remembering the day’s events, she suddenly asked, “Is Young Lady planning to cooperate with the Heir?”
Ye Zhen did not conceal it from her, “His status in the residence is not low; he can be of assistance to us.”
As for the fact that the person behind the mask was not the Zhongyong Hou Shizi, Ye Zhen did not want Wan Xing to know.
Sometimes, the more one knows, the more dangerous it becomes.
Wan Xing, however, was thinking that Xing Ze seemed quite capable, and the Heir valued him.
If…
She meant, if she could win Xing Ze’s heart, would he then persuade the Heir to help the young lady more?
Often, a confidant’s influence on their master is significant.
Just as the young lady had always treated her like a sister and never truly regarded her as a maid, she observed that the Heir seemed to treat Xing Ze quite well as well.
Having been by the young lady’s side for many years, even if she hadn’t explicitly said so, Wan Xing had guessed that this matter likely involved the Ye family’s influence.
Over the past three years, the young lady had never displayed her skills in public. To deal with a weak woman, why would the Marquise need to use Suan Jin San? Ordinary knockout drugs would suffice.
And when the young lady first returned to Jingcheng, Ye Furen accidentally sprained her ankle. Worried, the young lady carried her all the way back to the room for treatment, revealing her strength.
Besides her and Yin Yue, only Ye Furen knew about the scar on the young lady’s shoulder in Jingcheng…
There were too many villains, and she was afraid the young lady alone wouldn’t be able to handle them and might suffer harm again.
Her mission was to protect the young lady, but her abilities were limited. She needed to seek external help for the young lady.
Her master had said that no matter what method, if it works, it’s a good method.
Ye Zhen had no idea her maid had such thoughts. If she knew, she would surely stop her.
After nightfall, Ye Zhen went to Xie Tingzhou’s Mo Yuan.
“Please draw his appearance, elder brother.”
Ye Zhen said to Xie Tingzhou.
Their transaction this time was that he would help her deal with Xie Jinyao, and she would make him a lifelike human skin mask.
The subject of the drawing was naturally the real Zhongyong Hou Shizi.
Xie Tingzhou nodded.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the portrait was handed to Ye Zhen.
The man in the painting resembled the Marquis Zhongyong somewhat, both having resolute features, but he had a teardrop mole under his right eye, softening that resoluteness.
Beneath the teardrop mole were mottled, crisscrossing scars, likely from burns.
Beside the portrait was another smaller sketch of the right profile.
The scars on it were clear.
Ye Zhen glanced at the man across from her.
To be able to draw the entire face so clearly, even the direction of the scars, it seemed he was very familiar with the real Heir.
Who was he?
Why was he impersonating the Heir?
Did Marquis Zhongyong know?
Where had the real Heir gone?
Ye Zhen’s mind was filled with doubts, but she showed none on her face.
She then listed out a inventory, “Please prepare these, elder brother.”
These were the materials needed to make the human skin mask.
Xie Tingzhou glanced at it and handed it to Xing Ze before turning his gaze back to Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen continued, “I’ll also need to borrow your place for the production.”
Making the mask was not easy and would take considerable time. Keeping the materials at her place wasn’t as safe as at Xie Tingzhou’s.
“Agreed.”
Xie Tingzhou was concise, “How long will it take?”
“If all materials are ready, about half a month.”
Ye Zhen stood up, “I also need to take your measurements, elder brother.”
Xie Tingzhou nodded, remaining seated without moving.
Ye Zhen walked behind him, took out a small ruler, measured his shoulders, noted it down, then moved in front of him to measure his neck.
Then she asked, “Could you remove your mask, elder brother?”
She needed to understand the dimensions of his face to make it more realistic and fitting.
Both Xing Ze and Fuguang’s expressions changed dramatically.
Xie Tingzhou lifted his eyes to look at her, remained silent for a few breaths, and then removed his mask.
His skin was flawless and fair, the lines of his face smooth and resolute, his features exquisitely carved as if by an axe.
Their eyes met, and Ye Zhen’s breath hitched for a moment.
Beneath that thick beard from that day lay such an extraordinarily handsome face.
However, the murderous intent in the man’s moon-reflecting-deep-pool-like eyes reminded her that now was not the time to be mesmerized by his looks.
She quickly lowered her gaze and earnestly measured the dimensions of his face, as if she hadn’t just been flustered by his appearance.
Xie Tingzhou stared at her, his gaze sharp.
If Ye Zhen showed the slightest sign of recognizing him, he would kill her without hesitation.
But all he saw was a momentary admiration in her eyes—a look Xie Tingzhou was all too familiar with. He knew he possessed a face capable of captivating hearts, and gradually, his imposing aura subsided.
Ye Zhen clearly sensed the fading murderous intent, her tension easing slightly as she maintained a calm expression. “Done. I’ll return when all the materials are ready.”
After finishing the measurements, she stepped back a few paces.
“Fine.”
Again, just one brief word.
Ye Zhen bowed slightly and turned to leave the room.
The silent confrontation had left her back damp with sweat, and as the night breeze brushed against her, she shivered.
But she quickly circulated her inner energy, warming her entire body. Staying alive was difficult, and seeking revenge was even harder. Ye Zhen did not regret her choice.
Most things in this world have two sides—advantages and disadvantages. There are no benefits gained without paying a price…