Ye Cishu closed her eyes, her mind racing incessantly.
She had already spent a whole day as the Ye Cishu of this era.
Now she was the Ye Family’s Fourth Miss, born of a concubine—a quiet seventeen-year-old girl with some assets of her own, who had nearly been schemed against by her fiancé and suffered from a heart condition.
Not the thirty-year-old modern-day corporate drone who held both auditor and accountant certifications and spent her days buried in ledgers.
She needed to adapt to this place.
Ye Cishu touched her chest.
The original host had a severe heart condition. Earlier today at Chun Bu Wan, when the incident had suddenly occurred, the tongue-tied girl had felt a mix of shame, anger, and panic in that situation…
And then the present Ye Cishu had arrived.
Once again sorting through the information in her mind, Ye Cishu let out a soft sigh.
The Ye Family…
If this were modern times, they would be considered nouveau riche—the kind of nouveau riche backed by the state in international trade.
Wealthy, with more silver at home than they could ever spend.
While one might say the Ye Family was shrewd and adaptable, every branch of the family had taken in numerous concubines.
Every household maintained the standard lifestyle of three wives and four concubines.
After all, it was common knowledge throughout Dayu that the imperial family doted exclusively on the Empress.
Even though there was a Noble Consort in the palace, everyone knew she was merely a figurehead.
But it wouldn’t be accurate to say the Ye Family was old-fashioned in their thinking either.
In this era of male superiority, the Ye Family still supported their women in doing business.
Regardless of which branch they belonged to, whether they were born of the principal wife or a concubine, as long as they were legitimate members of the Ye Family, each woman had shops or other properties under her name.
But Master Ye had made it clear: they were responsible for their own profits and losses. Whatever they earned would be their private savings.
If they incurred losses… well, that was that! They shouldn’t expect anyone else to cover for them.
Ye Cishu also had two shops under her name: a grain store and a modest-sized tavern.
Overall earnings… passable, not bad!
Even if she left the Ye Family, she could live comfortably relying on these two shops…
“Ci-jie! Mother has come to see you!”
Ye Cishu was lost in thought when a voice suddenly pierced her ears, growing closer.
She quickly sat up and leaned forward to look outside.
Just then, she saw a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties entering Meng Yue Ju’s Chuihua Men, accompanied by a boy in his teens.
Ah, that seemed to be the original host’s birth mother, and the little boy was Ye Cishu’s full brother, Ye Xuhui.
She was also the third concubine taken by Second Master Ye—Aunt Wei.
“Mother, why have you come? And you brought Xu-ge with you?” Ye Cishu hurriedly got off the bed, slipped on her shoes, and went out to greet them.
As soon as Aunt Wei saw Ye Cishu, she took her hands and looked her over from left to right.
“Ci-jie, Mother knows you’ve suffered a great injustice.
It’s alright now that the matter has been cleared up.
It must have been those unfortunate people who were jealous of you, seeing that your future husband ranked first in the Xiangshi, and tried to trip you up.
It’s fine—good things take time.
Ci-jie, you must stay well and wait for Young Master Su to place first as Zhuangyuan and marry you with three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts.
Then we’ll spite all those gossipers behind your back.
My dear Ci-jie, you will surely become a fine official’s wife in the future.
Mother tells you, suffering a little injustice now is nothing. This is called ‘enduring hardship to rise above others’…”
Aunt Wei held Ye Cishu’s hand in the courtyard and rambled on and on.
Ye Cishu’s head was starting to ache.
Fortunately, her younger brother also found Aunt Wei’s chatter too tedious.
"Mother, do you have a grudge against Fourth Sister?" Ye Xuhui asked with a serious expression.
Aunt Wei…
"What nonsense are you talking about? Your sister came from my own womb. I cherish her more than anything—how could I possibly have a grudge against her?"
"Then why do you always tell my sister that it's fine to endure grievances and suffer a little hardship? Why should my sister have to endure grievances and suffer?" Ye Xuhui retorted indignantly.
"I… I'm doing it for your sister's future happiness!" Aunt Wei said angrily.
"But life is already pretty good now. Why should she suffer and endure grievances now just for a better life in the future? Fourth Sister, don't worry. You live well now, and when I grow up, I'll make sure you live well too. I won't let you suffer even a little grievance or hardship." Ye Xuhui spoke like a little adult.
Aunt Wei…
So, she was the villain here?
Aunt Wei angrily pinched Ye Xuhui.
"Don't try to drive a wedge between your sister and me! Your sister and I get along just fine! Besides, if your sister becomes an official's wife in the future, that's when the good life will truly begin…"
"Mother, do you look down on Father?" Ye Cishu suddenly spoke up.
Aunt Wei…
"What kind of talk is that? When have I ever looked down on your father? How can you say such nonsense at your age?" Aunt Wei was genuinely flustered.
"Then let me ask you: if back then, Father and a scholar had both proposed to you at the same time, who would you have chosen?" Ye Cishu asked.
"Definitely your father! Your father is handsome, kind, well-mannered, and from a good family. There's no question about it!" Aunt Wei replied immediately.
Ye Cishu said nothing, just looked at Aunt Wei.
Aunt Wei understood what Ye Cishu was implying.
"Ci'er, there's a difference between a scholar and a Jieyuan. Scholars are everywhere, but a Jieyuan only comes once every three years. In just half a year, he'll surely become a Guanshen, and then your good life will…"
"Mother, whose relative is Brother Su?" Ye Cishu asked again.
"Concubine Su's family, of course!" Aunt Wei replied promptly.
"Oh, how is your relationship with Concubine Su?" Ye Cishu continued.
Aunt Wei…
Her relationship with Concubine Su… was the kind where they smiled politely on the surface but gossiped behind each other's backs, competing for food, clothes, and shops!
"It's… passable. Not particularly good, but not particularly bad either," Aunt Wei mumbled.
"Oh, that kind of relationship. So, if her relative had something good, would she think to give it to you?" Ye Cishu pressed on.
Aunt Wei suddenly realized.
She and Concubine Su were the kind who would argue over a single jade bracelet. Would Concubine Su really give up such a good son-in-law to her? Wouldn't she take advantage of her proximity to secure him first?
"Ah! That fellow must not be a good match! I wondered why Concubine Su would willingly give such a son-in-law to me! She must have known about this. Hmph, today's incident definitely has her hand in it too. That Concubine Su—I won't let her get away with this!" Aunt Wei angrily rolled up her sleeves and was about to storm out.
Ye Cishu quickly stopped her.
"Without evidence, Father will just say you're making a fuss again. How many times have you suffered because of her over the years? Let's ignore her for now, just keep it in mind. When we find evidence, then we can complain."
Aunt Wei thought it over and agreed.
"Right, she's always pretending to be weak and helpless, and your father falls for it every time. I'll listen to you, Ci'er, and keep it in mind for now."
"Don't worry, Mother will definitely go pray to Buddha, so that those who scheme against us mother and daughter will choke while eating, sprain their feet while walking, and find nothing goes smoothly in whatever they do."
"Ci'er, don't worry. Even if you can't become an official's wife in the future, Mother will still prepare a generous dowry for you."
"So you can stand tall and straight in your husband's family."
"Mother has money!" Aunt Wei assured.
Looking at Aunt Wei who could bend and stretch as needed, Ye Cishu felt both amused and exasperated.
She was just about to say something lighthearted when movement came from outside the Chuihua Men.
"Eldest Miss is back!"
Aunt Wei immediately released Ye Cishu's hand and looked toward Ye Wanshu, who had entered the courtyard.
"Auntie is here? Why not come inside and sit?"
"Brother Xuhui is here too?" Ye Wanshu greeted Aunt Wei with a smile.
"Eldest Miss, I just came to see Ci'er and will be leaving soon," Aunt Wei quickly replied.
"Eldest Sister!" Ye Xuhui also hurriedly straightened up and performed a proper bow.
"Ruixue, bring out the writing materials I prepared for Elder Brother and the others—the set meant for Brother Xuhui."
"This saves you a trip."
"Brother Xuhui, how have your studies been lately? What have you been learning recently…"
Ye Xuhui felt a twinge of regret.
Why did he have to tag along with Mother to join the excitement for no reason?
Now he’s been caught by Eldest Sister! Tomorrow’s homework is bound to increase again…