Old Madam Ye was no fool—she could clearly see the purpose behind Ye Qingyu’s performance.
Ye Qingyu had discovered that the shopkeepers’ embezzled profits had ended up in her hands. She was forcing her to return the silver, or else she would report it to the authorities. If that happened, not only would Old Madam Ye’s reputation be ruined, but the Marquis’ household would be dragged through the mud as well.
The Marquis’ household was already in poor condition. If not for the chance to cling to the Duke’s household, she would never have cooperated with that person, nor married that wretched Gu woman!
“Grandmother, don’t be angry. In the future, whatever money Qianqian earns, she’ll always give it to you,” Lu Qianqian said softly, trying to soothe her.
Old Madam Ye held Lu Qianqian’s hand with satisfaction. “My Qianqian is truly sensible, unlike that little wretch who only has eyes for money. If not for Shuwen, I would never have allowed her to humiliate me like this!”
Thinking of the hundred thousand taels she had just gained, only to be forced to hand them over before she could even warm her hands with them, Old Madam Ye’s heart bled.
Lu Qianqian, meanwhile, was consumed with jealousy. These past days, she had watched Ye Qingyu receive precious gifts one after another, and now she had even taken a hundred thousand taels from Grandmother. Her heart trembled with envy. She was also her father’s daughter, also Grandmother’s granddaughter—why should everything belong to Ye Qingyu? She was unwilling to accept it!
Ye Qingyu, however, cared nothing for their feelings. The thought of such a large sum of silver coming her way filled her with joy. She had wanted to take Ye Qingya and Ye Yanzhi out for a lavish meal, but after spending the whole day with her, they were tired and returned to their own quarters to rest.
Wan Qiu, who had watched Ye Qingyu’s actions all day, was worried and unsure whether she should speak.
Ye Qingyu noticed her concern. “What is it? Do you have something to say?”
Wan Qiu hesitated, then spoke. “Miss, treating Old Madam like this… she’s too shrewd not to see your intentions. Offending her, when Marquis Ye already doesn’t care for you—how will you manage in the Marquis’ household in the future?”
In the Marquis’ household, the ones who held power were Marquis Ye and Old Madam Ye. Now her mistress had offended them both. Her marriage prospects were still in their hands—if they chose to manipulate them, what would she do?
Ye Qingyu lifted her teacup and took a slow sip. “For so many years, I’ve tried my best to please them, obedient and well-behaved. Especially after Mother’s death, I dared not make a single mistake. But did they ever treat me kindly?”
Wan Qiu sighed softly. “No… they were even harsher with you.”
Ye Qingyu’s expression remained calm, without a trace of sadness. “Since that’s the case, why should I bother pleasing them? As long as the Duke’s household stands behind me, they won’t dare touch me. My marriage—how could a mere Marquis’ household decide it?”
The Duke’s household commanded military power and was a thorn in the emperor’s eye. The current emperor would never allow her to marry into a family of powerful ministers. It wasn’t that the Duke’s household was disloyal, but in every dynasty, emperors feared alliances between powerful families—that was the greatest threat to imperial authority.
Therefore, her marriage would be decided by the emperor himself.
In her previous life, she had married Shen Mingxiu because, in the emperor’s eyes, Shen Mingxiu had no backing. He was a man devoted to poetry and painting, uninvolved in politics, uninterested in power.
Wan Qiu could see it clearly—her mistress had lost all hope in the Marquis’ household and no longer expected anything from them. “As long as you have a plan in mind, Miss, that’s good.”
The next day, Old Madam Ye summoned Ye Qingyu to Chunhui Hall.
“Qingyu, Grandmother has recovered the silver from those shopkeepers. They had already spent quite a bit, but whatever was missing, Grandmother had added herself. Consider it my responsibility for failing to supervise them. Take a look—see if it’s enough.” She ordered servants to present a stack of silver notes to Ye Qingyu.
“Grandmother, how could I let you spend your own money? I trust you completely—there’s no need to count.” Though she spoke with polite modesty, Ye Qingyu accepted the notes without hesitation and handed them to Wan Qiu behind her.
“You child, you’re so trusting. It makes Grandmother feel even more guilty,” Old Madam Ye sighed, feigning remorse.
“Grandmother, this wasn’t your fault. I know you were deceived. You needn’t blame yourself.”
“Ah, but I feel sorry for you. A young girl all alone—those shopkeepers saw that your mother had passed, and with no elder brother to protect you, they thought you were easy prey. That’s why they dared to act.”
“I had them tortured through the night, and they confessed. They admitted they targeted you because you were defenseless. Grandmother truly aches for my dear granddaughter.”
Ye Qingyu looked at her with apparent filial affection. “Grandmother, with you and Father protecting me, I have nothing to fear.”
Old Madam Ye shook her head, looking regretful. “But your father and I cannot protect you forever. One day, we’ll be gone. If only you had a brother to guard you for life.”
She studied Ye Qingyu’s expression, then continued. “You were too young to know, but when your mother was alive, she once mentioned wanting to adopt a brother for you. When she gave birth to you, her health was damaged, and she couldn’t bear another child. Your father, being stubbornly devoted, refused to take concubines. So you never had a brother.”
“Your mother wanted to adopt a brother to protect you, but her untimely death left the matter unresolved. Now, after what has happened, Grandmother remembers it again.”
“Qingyu, your mother only wanted the best for you. What do you think about adopting a brother?” Old Madam Ye asked, pretending to leave the decision in her hands.
Ye Qingyu frowned slightly. “I never heard Mother mention this.”
Ye Qingyu’s face remained expressionless, though inside she was grinding her teeth in fury. That old schemer dared to use her mother’s name as a pretext—how could her mother ever have wanted to adopt a brother for her?
Old Madam Ye patted her hand gently. “You were too young at the time, so of course your mother wouldn’t have told you. But she did mention it to me, and I agreed. Don’t you want a brother to protect you? Grandmother truly hopes someone can stand by you, and this was also your mother’s wish.”
Old Madam Ye knew how deeply Ye Qingyu loved her mother. She believed that as long as she invoked Madam Gu’s wishes, Ye Qingyu would surely comply.
Ye Qingyu’s expression seemed to waver. Her brows knitted slightly, and she spoke with hesitation. “Having a brother to protect me would indeed be good. If it were Mother’s wish, then I should obey.”
Old Madam Ye’s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, “Ah, if you think this way, then your mother can rest peacefully in the afterlife.”
“In that case, the matter is settled. Qingyu, do you have anyone in mind for this adoption?”