“It is indeed I, Your Highness.”
“How do you know who I am?”
Ye Qingyu’s expression remained calm. “I have met Commander Jiang before.”
At her words, Jiang Bei, commander of Prince Chu’s guards, looked startled.
Silence lingered inside the carriage. Then came the order: “Mm. Jiang Bei, deal with them.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ye Qingyu quickly interjected: “Your Highness, just capture them and hand them over to the authorities.”
“…Very well.”
The bandits, cursing as they ran closer, suddenly saw a squad of armored guards surge out from the halted carriage. They froze.
Ye Qingyu’s cold gaze fell on them like a death sentence.
Realizing they had provoked the wrong target, the bandits panicked. “Damn, tough luck—run!”
But horses were faster than men. Within moments, Jiang Bei and his men had subdued them.
Desperate to live, the bandits confessed before Ye Qingyu even spoke. “Miss Ye, we were only hired for money. We wouldn’t really harm you. Spare us—we’ll tell you everything.”
Ye Qingyu sneered. “No need. The authorities will question you.” She turned to Prince Chu’s carriage and bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving me.”
No reply came from within.
Since her carriage had no driver, Prince Chu ordered his men to escort her carriage behind his. Thus, Ye Qingyu was safely escorted back to the capital.
At the gates of Marquis Qingyuan’s estate, a maid hurried forward. “Miss, you’re finally back. I was so worried!”
Ye Qingyu felt dazed, as if it were all unreal. Beside her were her two maids, Nian Chun and Wan Qiu, chosen by her mother when she was five. In her past life, both had died because of her.
“Wan Qiu, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Seeing her safe, Wan Qiu sighed with relief. “When the Old Madam returned and you were missing, I was terrified. Now that you’re back, I can rest easy.”
Back in her quarters, Wan Qiu helped her change clothes and prepare tea.
“What about Nian Chun?” Ye Qingyu asked.
“I sent her to do something,” Ye Qingyu replied.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Nanny Chen, the Old Madam’s attendant, entered. “Young Lady, the Old Madam requests your presence in Chunhui Hall.”
Ye Qingyu sipped her tea calmly. “Do you know why?”
Nanny Chen’s wrinkled face was stern, with a hint of disdain. “I do not. You should come at once.”
Ye Qingyu’s gaze lingered on her, lips curling faintly. Nanny Chen shivered under her stare, her arrogance faltering.
Chunhui Hall was already bustling. Laughter filled the room. As Ye Qingyu entered, all eyes turned to her.
The Old Madam—her grandmother—smiled kindly. “Qingyu, I heard your carriage broke down. Are you unharmed?”
Her second aunt, Madam Wu, fussed over her. “If your carriage fails, you should use mine. Thank goodness you’re safe.”
Her cousin Ye Qingya, however, muttered, “She looks fine. What’s the fuss?”
Madam Wu scolded her sharply. “How can you speak so? Your elder sister was in danger, and you show no concern?”
“I wasn’t wrong,” Ye Qingya pouted.
Ye Qingyu smiled gently. “Second Sister is right. I’m fine, only delayed.”
In truth, she and Ye Qingya had once been close, but after her mother’s death and her infatuation with the Fourth Prince, they quarreled bitterly. Their bond had never recovered. Now, seeing Ye Qingya’s concern hidden beneath her blunt words, Ye Qingyu’s heart softened. “She’s always straightforward. Don’t scold her.”
Her third aunt, Madam Zhou, sighed. “As long as you’re safe.”
Ye Qingyu bowed slightly. “I’ve worried the elders. That is my fault.”
“Your father was very worried too. He’ll come soon,” the Old Madam said.
At that moment, footsteps sounded. Servants bowed. “Greetings, Marquis.”
The Old Madam beamed. “Speak of the devil—here he is.”
The Marquis entered, dignified in a blue robe. “Mother.” Behind him stood a young man in scholar’s attire.
“This is?” the Old Madam asked.
The Marquis explained: “Mother, this is Ye Shuwen, a distant relative of our family. He has come to the capital for the imperial exams.”
The Old Madam’s eyes lit up. “So young, already a licentiate. Truly talented. Our Ye family is blessed.”
Ye Qingyu looked at him, suppressing the surge of hatred in her heart.
In her past life, this man had become her “adopted brother,” always criticizing her while doting on her half-sister Ye Qianqian. She had thought it was her own failing. But now she knew—they were true siblings all along.