Madam Xu, Ye Qingyu’s third aunt, had been her mother’s closest friend. Married to her third uncle, she had always loved Ye Qingyu more than her own son. After Ye Qingyu’s mother passed away, Madam Xu often brought her to the Duke’s household to stay, fearing she would be bullied in the Marquis’s estate. Even after Ye Qingyu’s marriage, Madam Xu visited her frequently—until Shen Mingxiu disapproved of her ties with the Duke’s family, forcing her to cut contact. Ye Qingyu had once thought it was because he disliked politics, never realizing he was secretly using those connections to gather allies.
Now, reborn, this was the first relative from her maternal side she had seen. The memory of Madam Xu lying lifeless in a pool of blood haunted her. Seeing her alive and vibrant before her eyes, Ye Qingyu felt the reality of her rebirth more deeply than ever.
Madam Xu held her close, soothing her, while her sharp gaze swept the room. “Cry if you must. I’ll stand for you. Let’s see who dares bully you here!”
The Old Madam and Marquis Ye were startled by her sudden arrival, exchanging uneasy glances.
Nian Chun pointed angrily at Sun Er, the driver. “Third Madam, it was him! Miss ordered him to return to the official road, but he insisted on taking the side path. If he hadn’t disobeyed, we’d never have met bandits!”
Madam Xu’s eyes turned icy. “Seize this insolent servant and beat him!”
Guards dragged Sun Er down. He cried out in panic, “Marquis, save me!”
The Old Madam’s face darkened. “Madam Xu, this is the Marquis’s household, not the Duke’s. Sun Er is our servant. Discipline here is our affair, not yours!”
Madam Xu was unfazed. “If your servants dare defy their mistress, I’ll gladly teach them respect.”
The Old Madam gritted her teeth. “This is our family matter. Stay out of it.”
Madam Xu sneered. “No. He wronged Qingyu. For that, he deserves death.”
The Old Madam’s voice was cold. “Even if you are her aunt, you should know your limits. This is our household’s business. If you want to show off, return to the Duke’s estate!”
She was furious—she had never liked the Duke’s family, and Madam Xu’s interference ruined her plans.
Madam Xu laughed. “Fine. Then let the magistrate take this servant to court and uncover who ordered him.”
At that moment, Magistrate Cui entered, bowing to Marquis Ye. “Marquis, the Duke’s household has accused this servant of colluding with bandits to harm Miss Ye. I am here to take him. Please cooperate.”
Marquis Ye was stunned. “Magistrate, this is a family matter. We can handle it ourselves.”
The Old Madam forced a smile. “Yes, just a misunderstanding between in-laws. No need to trouble you.” She turned to Madam Xu, her tone suddenly humble. “In-law, why escalate this to court? If word spreads, people will think our families are at odds. Please withdraw the complaint.”
Madam Xu’s voice dripped with scorn. “Now you panic? Where was that arrogance when you forced Qingyu? Withdraw the complaint? Impossible!”
The Old Madam, desperate, turned to Ye Qingyu. “Qingyu, you’re the sensible one. Persuade your aunt. If this blows up, you’ll be blamed for strife between our families.” Her words carried a threat, as always.
Madam Xu snapped, “What kind of grandmother threatens her granddaughter?”
Ye Qingyu lifted her tear-stained face, tugging at Madam Xu’s sleeve. “Third Aunt, let me speak.”
Madam Xu wiped her tears gently. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”
Ye Qingyu rose, bowed to Magistrate Cui. “Greetings, Magistrate.”
He asked, “Miss Ye, do you have something to say?”
Her voice was hoarse from crying. “Yes. Surely you’ve already received the bandits captured by Prince Chu’s men?”
Magistrate Cui nodded. “Commander Jiang personally delivered them.”
Ye Qingyu pointed at Sun Er. “This man disobeyed me, drove the carriage down a secluded path. When I ordered him back, he refused. And this man—Ye Shuwen—claimed falsely to be my savior. In truth, it was Prince Chu who rescued me and escorted me home. Yet they colluded to fabricate this lie, with Sun Er as witness.”
She bowed. “I ask you to arrest them both and investigate who is behind this.”
Magistrate Cui nodded gravely. “Prince Chu himself ordered me to investigate thoroughly. Many noblewomen traveled to Nanhua Temple today. If any were harmed, it would be my failure. Rest assured, Miss Ye, I will uncover the truth.”
At his command, guards seized Sun Er and Ye Shuwen.
“Marquis, save me!” Sun Er cried.
“I am innocent!” Ye Shuwen protested.
Marquis Ye panicked. “Magistrate, surely there’s some mistake.” He turned on Ye Qingyu, furious. “Qingyu, if Prince Chu saved you, why didn’t you say so?”
Before Ye Qingyu could answer, Ye Qingya spoke with biting sarcasm. “Uncle, weren’t you the one insisting Ye Shuwen was her savior? You never even asked who really saved her.”
“You—!” Marquis Ye was speechless, glaring at her.
Madam Wu quickly covered her daughter’s mouth.