After leaving Mo Yuan, Ye Zhen did not return to her own courtyard.
She stealthily entered the First-Rank General Residence, which was her mother Ye Jinghong’s home and should have been hers as well.
After her mother died in battle, her cousin Ye Wantang brought her uncle and aunt to live in the general’s residence, reuniting their family of three in Ye Zhen’s home.
When Ye Zhen returned to the capital, she also stayed here.
However, her aunt, using the excuse that they were guests, arranged for Ye Zhen to live in a very remote courtyard and rarely allowed her to leave it.
But the sharp senses of a martial artist allowed Ye Zhen to quickly familiarize herself with the residence’s defenses, enabling her to smoothly make her way to the bedchamber of the Ye couple.
Inside the room, Ye Zhengqing was idly holding a book, while a maid was helping his wife, Wang Shi, remove her hairpins.
After her hair was properly arranged, Wang Shi dismissed the maid and walked behind Ye Zhengqing, taking the book from his hands.
“Husband, it’s late. Let us retire for the night.”
Ye Zhengqing subtly rolled his eyes, a flicker of resistance crossing his face.
After nearly twenty years of marriage, even if his wife had been beautiful in her youth, he had grown tired of her over time.
Besides, her looks were only average.
Yet in recent years, Wang Shi had become as demanding as a wolf or tiger.
Ye Zhengqing truly had no desire to comply, but Wang Shi now had Ye Wantang backing her.
And since he still hoped his daughter would help him ascend to Qingyun Platform, he could not openly displease Wang Shi.
He could only find an excuse, “Lately, the nights have been restless. I either dream of the old master or my younger sister. They come to demand my life, making it impossible to sleep well night after night. I’m utterly exhausted, and my head aches terribly. I’ve even made mistakes during official duties during the day.”
Suppressing the disgust in his eyes, he took Wang Shi’s hand, “Could you go stay at the temple for a few days to help resolve this for me? Otherwise, I fear they might torment me to death like this.”
If Wang Shi went to the temple, he wouldn’t have to see her and could enjoy a few days of peace.
Women can be particularly sensitive at times, and Wang Shi saw through his intentions.
She snorted, “The old master couldn’t do anything to you while he was alive. It’s been nearly twenty years since he died—he’s surely been reincarnated by now. How strange that you still dream of him. As for your sister, she killed countless people and is probably suffering in hell. Why would she have the leisure to come demand your life?”
If they wanted to claim his life, they would have done so long ago.
Did he think she couldn’t see through his rejection?
But her daughter was the legitimate daughter of the First-Rank General Residence, the descendant of a meritorious official, the foremost noble lady betrothed to the crown prince by imperial decree, destined to marry into the royal family.
And her daughter’s current status was entirely due to her own wisdom and decisiveness in having her daughter assume Ye Zhen’s identity back then.
She was the Ye family’s benefactor, a future relative of the imperial family. Why should she have to compromise on her basic needs?
“Wantang wants a younger brother to rely on her maternal family after marriage. For this, she went to great lengths to find a famous physician for me. Do you intend to spurn our daughter’s kindness, or are you unwilling for the Ye family to have an heir?”
Originally, she had one son and one daughter. For her son’s future prospects, she sent her young son to Ye Jinghong’s side.
She had hoped her son would eventually succeed his aunt, but unexpectedly, Ye Jinghong failed to protect her son, and he died in battle.
After giving birth to Wantang, she injured her body and never conceived again.
Since her son’s death, she had been recuperating, hoping to have another son for security.
Yet Ye Zhengqing was rather uncooperative.
A cold smile appeared on her lips, “Or perhaps you’ve grown tired of me and have found someone else?”Ye Zhengqing’s expression changed abruptly, and he hurriedly said, ‘Don’t think wildly.’
“I truly have just been lacking energy lately. Even in my youth I never had wandering thoughts, let alone at this age – why would I keep a mistress now?”
Wang Shi snorted coldly without responding.
If seeking other men weren’t so risky, would she really be willing to humble herself like this to beg for intimacy?
“If that’s the case, tomorrow I’ll have Wantang dismiss that physician. Do you think I enjoy drinking that bitter medicine?”
“Everything I do is for you, my lord, and for Wantang.”
“No matter how noble a woman’s marriage may be, she still needs maternal family support. We cannot accompany her forever.”
“But as her father, you show no consideration for Wantang. Then why should I continue degrading myself like this?”
She threatened him with their daughter.
Ye Zhengqing felt disgusted inwardly, but had to placate her outwardly. “You’ve truly misunderstood, my lady.”
He put his arm around Wang Shi’s shoulder, led her to the bedside, and kissed her…
Ye Zhen sat on the roof, covering her ears as she gazed at the night sky.
When she was born, her maternal grandfather died. Then her aunt fell ill, and the Ye family brought a Taoist priest to the estate.
The priest divined her fate, saying her destiny clashed with Jingcheng, that her fortune was too weak to bear the city’s prosperity, and she needed to be sent to the countryside for humble upbringing until her coming-of-age ceremony.
Otherwise, she would not only bring misfortune to her family but would be difficult to raise herself.
She used to think the couple was simply foolish for believing the Taoist priest’s words. But after learning about her background, she realized the so-called fate reading was just their excuse to send her away.
Yet from what Ye Zhengqing just implied, could her grandfather’s death have been their doing as well?
Inside the room, Ye Zhengqing turned over and sat up, his expression awkward. “Does my lady believe me now?”
It hadn’t even lasted half the time it takes to drink tea, wasting her carefully prepared bath. Wang Shi felt a surge of irritation.
But she knew this matter hurt a man’s pride, so she concealed her displeasure. “Tomorrow I’ll have a physician examine you, my lord.”
“But the temple visit will have to wait a few days. The Marquis Estate sent someone today.”
Ye Zhengqing didn’t know about this yet and quickly asked, “Why did the Marquis Estate send someone?”
“Hmph, it’s all about your precious niece. She’s quite capable – not only did she return safely, but she also gained Marquis Zhongyong’s favor and was put in charge of household affairs.”
“Of course Miss Xie isn’t willing to accept this, so she wants us to take action.”
Wang Shi put on a loose robe and got out of bed. “Wantang has made it clear – Ye Zhen must not remain. I need to deal with Ye Zhen’s matter first.”
Ye Zhengqing’s mind stirred. “Marquis Zhongyong trusts her that much?”
Marquis Zhongyong was an important minister close to the Emperor. They had married Ye Zhen to him precisely to curry favor.
But they never had the chance to get close. If Ye Zhen had gained Marquis Zhongyong’s trust, that would be beneficial for him.
Although Wantang was the legitimate daughter of the General’s household, her mother had died in battle. The General’s household now relied on her posthumous glory, which would eventually fade.
Though she was betrothed to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince had been missing for years, and no one knew what would happen in the future…
Having struggled fruitlessly for half his life, how could he pin all his hopes on Wantang alone?
Better to keep some backup through Ye Zhen.
He quickly took Wang Shi’s hand. “My lady, those who urgently want to eliminate Ye Zhen now are the Xie mother and daughter. Why should you become someone else’s weapon and dirty your own hands?”
“If things are exposed, it would harm Wantang too, and might even reveal what happened back then. We should be more cautious.”
He kissed Wang Shi for a while. “Why doesn’t my lady show some care for her husband instead?”
“When I recover my health, we should have a son – that’s the proper path. What do you think, my lady?”
The robe she had just put on slipped to the floor as Wang Shi melted into his embrace…
After a long while, Wang Shi finally went to the bathing room, thoroughly satisfied.
Ye Zhengqing covered his mouth with a handkerchief as he retched dryly, the disgust in his eyes nearly overflowing. He frantically wiped his hands with a damp cloth.
For a middle-aged couple, a single kiss could haunt one’s nightmares for days. His sacrifice today had been immense.
Fortunately, Wang Shi had relented, agreeing not to target Ye Zhen for now.
In the coming days, he needed to find an opportunity to meet with Ye Zhen and have her arrange an introduction to Marquis Zhongyong for him.
With Marquis Zhongyong returning triumphantly and now at the peak of his glory, a few words of recommendation for his official career could secure his promotion.
If that were to happen, the sacrifice he had just made would be worth it.
Yet, his body’s instinctive reaction made his throat convulse again, and he hurriedly covered his mouth with the handkerchief.
On the roof, Ye Zhen’s stomach churned with equal revulsion.
She had come here tonight hoping to gather some useful information, never expecting to witness such a scene.
The discomfort in her stomach made it impossible to stay any longer. But as she turned to leave, she found herself face to face with Xie Tingzhou’s gaze.
Covering her ears had dulled her vigilance, and she had no idea how long Xie Tingzhou had been there—or how much he had seen and heard.