Seeing Ye Jintang subconsciously swallow and then begin her hypocritical sweet talk, she knew the plan had succeeded.
In her previous life, merely smelling the scent or skin contact had produced such spectacular effects. She wondered what miracles would occur now that Ye Jintang had ingested so much at once.
She truly looked forward to Ye Jintang’s next menstrual cycle!
Watching those incessantly chattering lips, she unhesitatingly shoved the pastry in her hand into that mouth.
Caught off guard with a mouthful of pastry, Ye Jintang was startled and began hiccupping uncontrollably.
Ye Wushuang remained expressionless, speaking mildly:
“Why won’t you eat it, sister? Is it because you find my hands dirty? But you’re right to dislike it – I petted Ah Huang this morning without washing my hands.”
Ah Huang! That dog that had fallen into the cesspit!
Ye Jintang immediately vomited.
Actually, these pastries were poisoned – eating them would cause uncontrollable flatulence. Ye Wushuang had discovered this when she picked them up earlier.
Ye Jintang dared to eat them only because she had taken the antidote in advance.
Nearby, Su Yun watched her retching daughter with heartache, tears nearly falling as she comforted Ye Jintang while glaring at Ye Wushuang. Just as she was about to scold her,
Ye Wushuang moved swiftly, stuffing another pastry into Su Yun’s mouth.
Ah, finally comfortable – the world was quiet at last.
If only she could ignore the alternating sounds of retching.
The capital streets were crowded with pedestrians, slowing the carriage’s progress. After what felt like ages, lively noises finally reached the carriage interior.
Ye Wushuang knew they had arrived at the Minister’s residence.
Lifting the curtain to look at the familiar main gate, indescribable emotions stirred within her.
Though briefly cheered by their arrival, her spirits quickly dampened again.
She wondered if Ye Langting would trust her words later.
Moreover, she clearly understood that Su Yun had prepared a “grand gift” for her.
In her previous life, she had already lost her virtue in the countryside, yet these beasts remained unsatisfied.
They had schemed against her again during the flower banquet, having her caught in adultery publicly, completely turning her into a laughingstock.
Memories always shattered good moods without warning. Ye Wushuang shook her head gently, comforting herself: This life would not be like that.
Those humiliations would no longer be her shackles.
A servant lifted the carriage curtain. Ye Jintang descended first, reaching out to support Su Yun. “It’s rather high, Mother, please be careful.”
“You’re always the most considerate. Those raised by one’s side are truly different.”
Ye Wushuang’s face twitched.
How… utterly annoying!
After persuading Zhennan Hou to follow Ye Langting, she’d turn these people into bean paste!
As she prepared to disembark, she saw Mama Zhao’s gloomy face as the woman removed the carriage step.
She didn’t strictly need the step – she wouldn’t blink at jumping from a second floor – but this servant dared publicly disrespect her, and she wouldn’t tolerate it.
“Unless you want to crawl on the ground like a dog out here, obediently bring the step back.”
Her voice was soft, appearing to outsiders like a gentle reminder to a forgetful maid.
But Mama Zhao understood it as a warning.
Her face twitched uncontrollably as she inwardly cursed this ruffian.
She hadn’t expected this wretched girl to fear no shame even in public, openly threatening her.
Which illegitimate child in the residence would dare disrespect Mama Zhao like this?
Yet she genuinely found Ye Wushuang eerie.
Although the young master insisted this person had no martial skills, her fall in Ink Garden had been truly bizarre.
Could she be possessed by an evil spirit?
No, she had to speak with the mistress—she absolutely couldn’t let this wretched creature harm her!
After grumbling inwardly, she had no choice but to set down the carriage step and bow, waiting.
When she went to support Ye Wushuang’s arm, she viciously pinched the soft flesh under her armpit.
But before she could feel pleased with herself, she suddenly felt her body go weightless before crashing heavily to the ground.
Ye Wushuang’s face took on an anxious expression as she hurried forward to help Mama Zhao up, simultaneously returning the pinch with full force.
Watching the matron’s pained expression, she feigned concern:
“Are you alright, Mama? Really now, at your age you must be more careful. If you were to get hurt from a fall, Mother would be heartbroken!”
She now appeared the very picture of a charming, kind-hearted young lady. Passersby praised her:
“What a fine young miss! In the imperial city, it’s rare to see noble daughters treating servants with such respect!”
“Indeed! She looks beautiful and has a kind heart too!”
…
Mama Zhao seethed with resentment. She had barely begun to pinch when she was thrown off, only to be pinched back brutally.
She knew perfectly well that patch of flesh must be black and blue now—not only had she suffered, but she’d also become a foil for that wretched girl’s virtue. How could she accept this?
Yet the location made it impossible to show others, leaving her to swallow this bitter humiliation in silence.
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes as she said, “This old servant thanks the young miss!”
Ye Wushuang smiled sweetly, leaning close to Mama Zhao’s ear to whisper one sentence.
Bystanders assumed it was an intimate moment between mistress and servant, their faces softening with approval.
Only Mama Zhao remained wounded in this scenario.
Her facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
What had Ye Wushuang just said?
She’d said: “Cut the fucking pleasantries.”
As they rose, Mama Zhao—having learned her lesson—finally behaved, though her eyes remained cold as a venomous snake watching its prey.
Meanwhile, the Minister’s wife was exchanging pleasantries with Su Yun when her eyes lit up at the elegant figure approaching.
She stepped forward and gently took Ye Wushuang’s hand.
“This must be the recently recovered daughter! Her features—one look tells she’s your child!”
The remark made Su Yun’s expression tighten slightly.
Ye Jintang clenched her fists so hard her half-healed nail beds throbbed, but she paid the pain no mind.
The Minister’s wife, being quite close with Su Yun, grew more talkative:
“Don’t laugh at me for saying this, but last year my maternal niece was also recovered. That poor girl suffered terribly in the countryside—came back skin and bones.”
“Fortunately, the family doted on her and she soon regained health. Now she’s become such a lively scamp, thoroughly spoiled!”
Her cheerful narration met with awkward silence from the trio. Even the socially oblivious Minister’s wife noticed the peculiarity.
There was something strange about the mother and daughters’ expressions.
A quick mental calculation brought understanding. She removed a gold hairpin from her coiffure and tucked it into Ye Wushuang’s hair.
“Auntie has nothing special to offer, but please accept this pin as a meeting gift.”
Ye Wushuang perfectly feigned fluster, glancing uncertainly at Su Yun.
The impeccably proper reaction trapped Su Yun’s scolding words in her throat, leaving them stuck.
Suppressing her discomfort, Su Yun forced a gentle tone:
“Since Elder offers it with kind intention, you should accept.”
Only then did Ye Wushuang curtsy respectfully. “This junior thanks Aunt for your generous regard.”
As Su Yun and her daughter walked ahead, Ye Wushuang trailed slightly behind—appearing more like their maid than family.
She didn’t mind these matters, merely scanning her surroundings in search of Ye Langting’s figure.
She had initially thought yesterday’s storm would have devastated many flowers, yet unexpectedly, the garden was a vibrant spectacle of blooming blossoms vying for attention, almost too dazzling to take in all at once.
This dynasty was relatively open-minded, with many banquets allowing men and women to share the same seating area. Today’s flower hall was no exception, filled with lively poetry recitations and couplet exchanges.
Gradually making her way to the pavilion, she began to feel somewhat puzzled—
Why were these noble young ladies looking at her like that?
It wasn’t contempt, nor was it hatred, but rather curiosity.
What were they curious about?
Yet she paid it no mind. Since Ye Langting hadn’t arrived yet, she found a seat that offered a comprehensive view of the entire scene.
She had no intention of socializing with anyone, only wishing to see Ye Langting as soon as possible.