As time passed, Ye Yizhen grew increasingly anxious. “Why haven’t they found anyone yet? By rights, since we sealed off the temple immediately, the culprit should still be inside. Has every corner been searched?”
A subordinate hesitated. “We’ve searched everywhere. Ah, except for a few private courtyards.”
At this, Ye Yizhen frowned. Those courtyards were reserved by powerful nobles—who would dare barge in to search them? That was practically courting death.
She glanced at the sky; it was already noon. Time was running out, and worry gnawed at her. “Brother Jiang, if the criminal has slipped into one of those courtyards and accidentally harms a distinguished guest, the blame will fall on me.”
Her words sounded like concern for the nobles, though in truth she simply wanted the courtyards searched. It made her appear especially considerate and virtuous.
Jiang Wenzhou’s eyes lit up. “I’ll go myself and greet the honored guests.”
“Greet” was just a polite excuse—what he really meant was asking them to check their own quarters. It was also a chance to build connections and expand his network.
Together, the two led their men to knock on each courtyard door, followed by a crowd of eager worshippers.
The courtyards belonged to high officials’ families and titled nobles. None made things difficult; all received them courteously. Jiang Wenzhou didn’t force a search but asked each household to check themselves, preserving their dignity while framing it as concern for their safety. As a result, he and Ye Yizhen earned a wave of goodwill.
Only two courtyards remained. By now Ye Yizhen’s stomach was growling with hunger.
Jiang Wenzhou was hungry too. “Let’s eat something first.”
But Ye Yizhen, exhausted and famished, still shook her head. “No, just thinking of the child suffering makes me too worried to eat. I only wish to rescue the child as soon as possible.” She never missed a chance to display her virtue, drawing endless praise from those around her.
Listening to the chorus of admiration, Ye Yizhen secretly rejoiced. After today, she would be known throughout the capital as the most virtuous and respected noblewoman. Yun Zheng couldn’t compare to her even if she tried!
Just the thought of trampling Yun Zheng underfoot, venting her long‑held resentment, filled Ye Yizhen with renewed energy.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard closest to the maple grove, Yun Zheng enjoyed a thorough hot bath, changed into clean clothes, and ordered a table full of vegetarian dishes.
The little boy was also taken to wash up, dressed in clean but ill‑fitting clothes, and now sat opposite Yun Zheng, eating heartily, his cheeks puffed out with food. He had been starving for so long that everything tasted delicious.
Yun Zheng picked up a few pieces of food for him. “Eat slowly; no one’s going to snatch it from you.”
The boy stole a glance at her, his eyes filled with suspicion, hesitation, and unease.
Yun Zheng noticed but said nothing. After all, a child who had gone through such an ordeal couldn’t possibly trust others easily. No matter how much she reassured him, he would remain half‑believing, half‑doubting. But that was fine—so long as he cooperated.
After the meal, Chunhua brought out rock sugar bird’s nest as dessert.
The boy tasted it, and his eyes lit up instantly. “This is so good!”
Yun Zheng could tell—this little fellow was a foodie. “Little one, you…”
But before she could finish, the boy gulped down the bird’s nest in just a few mouthfuls, then rubbed his belly contentedly. “My name is An Kang.”
At those words, Yun Zheng knew she had temporarily earned his trust. The brat was sharp and clever.
“How do you contact your grandfather? Do you need my help?”
Just then, a knock sounded outside. “Open up, quickly! I am the heir of the Pingxi household. I have urgent news!”
Yun Zheng set down her porcelain cup, wiped her mouth, and looked at An Kang across the table. “They’re here. Go into the room first.”
“Alright.” An Kang obediently jumped off his chair, darted into the room, but secretly crept to the window to peek out.
Yun Zheng ignored the knocking and quietly instructed her maid, “Go brew a pot of good tea, and bring out some dried fruits and snacks.”
“Yes, madam.”
Jiang Wenzhou knocked for a long while, but the door never opened. He grew puzzled. There had to be someone inside. He turned to the temple abbot. “Why won’t they open? Could the kidnapper be hiding in there? Whose courtyard is this, anyway?”
The abbot was at a loss—how could he know? Too many worshippers had come the previous night; it was impossible to attend to each one.
He searched the crowd for the temple’s guest‑receiving monk, but Jiang Wenzhou was already impatient. “Speak quickly! If anything happens, Huangjue Temple won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”
Just then, the courtyard gate opened and a maid in blue poked her head out. “Who is it?”
Ye Yizhen recognized her instantly and grew excited. “Chunhua? Why is it you? Where is your mistress?”
Chunhua frowned slightly, but before she could reply, Jiang Wenzhou shoved her aside and rushed in. His eyes immediately fell on the beautiful woman seated beneath a tree, sipping tea. Dressed in violet robes and adorned with pearl jewelry, she looked elegant and noble.
His temper flared. “Yun Zheng! So it really is you. You didn’t return to the marquis’s residence last night—hiding in the temple to commit adultery!”
The crowd erupted in shock. Adultery? With whom? How scandalous!
Everyone loved a juicy affair.
Ye Yizhen’s eyes flickered with a faint smile, though her voice was full of sorrow. “Sister‑in‑law, how could you be so foolish? How can you face the heir? You’ve disgraced the marquis’s household!”
Jiang Wenzhou’s face flushed red, his emotions boiling over. “Yun Zheng, you’ve committed adultery. You’re unworthy of being the second young madam of the Pingxi household.”
The two of them practically shouted her identity to the world, eager to brand her with guilt and drag her down into the dust.
He roared, full of menace. “For this crime, you should be drowned in a pig cage! Men, seize her and take her back for punishment!”
Perfect—Yun Zheng’s reputation was ruined. She would never be arrogant again, condemned to serve the household like a beast of burden, trampled at will.
The servants lunged like wolves and tigers. Yun Zheng remained seated, then suddenly cried out: “Disaster! Pingxi household is plotting rebellion!”
You accuse me of adultery; I accuse you of treason—fair trade, isn’t it?
Her shout stunned everyone. Rebellion? That was far more serious than adultery.
Jiang Wenzhou was furious. “Nonsense! Quickly, take her away!”
The servants dragged Yun Zheng roughly, but she struggled. “I did not commit adultery. I hid here last night because I overheard a shocking secret…”
Her words were meant to astonish, or not be spoken at all—and they succeeded in rousing the worshippers’ curiosity.
Jiang Wenzhou, already familiar with her sharp tongue, dared not let her speak further. “Gag her mouth!”
Yun Zheng turned to the crowd, her face full of fear. “They’re trying to kill me to silence me—help!”
Jiang Wenzhou trembled with rage and rushed forward to cover her mouth himself.
Suddenly, a stern voice rang out. “Stop.”
Jiang Wenzhou whipped his head around, his expression shifting rapidly. “Duke Ding, why are you here? This woman is cunning and deceitful, always spouting nonsense. You mustn’t believe her lies…”
Duke Ding stepped out from the neighboring courtyard, his presence commanding. “Let her finish.”
Jiang Wenzhou’s face darkened, but he dared not defy Duke Ding.
Though retired, Duke Ding’s son commanded the northwest frontier with a hundred thousand troops—his power immense, unlike the Pingxi household, which held a title but no real authority.
Duke Ding’s gaze fell on Yun Zheng. This young woman was no simple character. “Second Young Madam, speak.”
Yun Zheng looked shaken, her voice trembling. “It was like this… I accidentally overheard that Ye Yizhen had carefully arranged a conspiracy…”
Her words struck like thunder. Ye Yizhen’s face changed instantly. No! Impossible! She couldn’t have known!