The group was scrambling to carry the old lady back into the house, but Ye Yunmian pressed down on her body, making it difficult for them to move her.
“I understand, Old Madam. You’re just angry at Second Uncle and Second Aunt, which is why you momentarily lost your composure and blamed me. You’ve always been the most reasonable person. Now that you’ve suddenly learned your son and daughter-in-law have done something like seizing the private property of the main branch, you must be feeling unwell and fainted. But don’t worry—I learned some skills at the frontier and picked up a bit of medical knowledge. I’ll examine you now.”
Ye Yunmian finished speaking quickly and reached into her clothes.
She took out a small rolled cloth pouch.
It was very small, and when unfolded, it revealed several neatly arranged silver needles.
The set was incomplete; she had collected it during her journey to the capital. She originally planned to buy better tools after arriving, but she hadn’t expected the family troubles to be this severe.
“Miss! What are you doing?!” The old lady’s trusted nanny immediately blocked Ye Yunmian’s hand.
“Treating her illness,” Ye Yunmian replied innocently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The nanny was alarmed. “How can you just stab someone with such thick needles?! The Old Madam really isn’t your biological grandmother, is that why you don’t care about her? You’ve already angered her into fainting, and now you’re using such vicious methods!”
Ye Yunmian’s expression turned cold. “You bold servant, are you accusing me of harming an elder? Do you know that falsely accusing one’s master is a serious crime? I could have you beheaded right now.”
Nanny Tong was a little shaken, but still gritted her teeth. “This old servant is only thinking of the Old Madam…”
“So you’re saying you refuse to let me treat her today?” Ye Yunmian asked.
“Yes. The Old Madam is elderly and cannot withstand such torment. Miss, please spare her…” she insisted.
Ye Yunmian nodded slowly, then straightened up.
She stepped back, then calmly said, “Uncle Liang, take this disrespectful servant down. She is obstructing my attempt to save the Old Madam—she must have ulterior motives. Beat her to death on the spot! When the Old Madam wakes, I will explain it to her myself!”
Although she had just arrived, her elder brother at least had some influence as a minor villain, and there were still people under his command.
Uncle Liang now obeyed Ye Yunmian completely. At her order, he immediately moved.
“Miss! You can’t tolerate me just because you want to harm the Old Madam while she’s unconscious!” Nanny Tong cried out in panic as she was forced to the ground.
“Such a brazen servant still dares to slander her master,” Ye Yunmian said coldly. “Even if the Old Madam were awake, she would punish you heavily. I can’t bear to let an elder see blood, so I’ll handle it for her instead. Beat her to death.”
The Duke’s household was originally a military family; at this command, the servants immediately pressed her down.
Without hesitation, they fetched clubs and began striking her.
Lady Ge had actually been pretending to be unconscious.
Before fainting, she had intended to accuse Ye Yunmian so that the girl would be despised in the capital. She never expected that this girl would press her down and refuse to let her get up—and now even detain and beat her trusted servant.
Hearing Nanny Tong’s agonized screams, she could no longer remain still.
If she didn’t wake now, the servant might truly die.
“What… what is going on?” The Old Madam slowly opened her eyes.
Ye Yunmian immediately stepped forward. “This wicked servant refused to let me treat you! She deserves death!” she said angrily. “Earlier she even accused me of harming you. If we let such a person spread rumors, the household will fall into chaos!”
Lady Ge was furious inside.
This wretched girl was completely twisting the truth!
“Stop it at once!” the Old Madam shouted. “How can you act so recklessly? Nanny Tong has served me for decades—everything she does is for my sake! Even if her words were harsh, you shouldn’t have tried to kill her! I truly don’t understand how you can be so cold-hearted and ruthless with human life!”
“You mean we should just let her slander me?” Ye Yunmian frowned. “I heard your health has been declining these years and you faint easily. I studied medicine at the frontier; as a junior, I naturally should show filial respect and examine you. But she claims I would harm you—how am I supposed to act? If my grandfather and parents were still alive, they would never allow such a servant to insult the master!”
Lady Ge rolled her eyes inwardly.
“Studied medicine at the frontier”? Ridiculous.
At her age—only eighteen—even if she had learned anything, it would only be from some wandering quack. If she actually dared to stick a needle into her body, she would truly be finished.
“My body is fine, just an old illness. As long as you don’t anger me, I can live to a hundred!” the Old Madam said, clearly intending to disgrace her.
But Ye Yunmian showed no embarrassment at all.
Even if she lost face due to hierarchy, she could always regain it elsewhere.
She simply could not stand this old woman’s act.
“Why say such things? Did Yunmian do something wrong?” she asked innocently. “Repaying debts is only natural. If my parents’ belongings are ruined, wouldn’t I be unfilial as a daughter? My elder brother and younger brother have never taken money from the family estate. The Duke’s vast wealth is already in Second Uncle’s hands, yet he still wants to touch my branch’s private property. I only asked a few questions out of confusion—was that also wrong? If so… then I understand. Perhaps I should have my elder brother voluntarily relinquish his title and let Second Uncle become the Duke instead!”
At these words, no one in the room dared to breathe.
Everyone knew this was no longer a simple dispute between a bold junior and her elders. The Second Branch of the Ye family had clearly been taking advantage all these years, and the Main Branch had finally stopped tolerating it.
But before, people always said Ye Weiren and his brothers were extravagant and wasteful. Now it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Ye Weiren’s extravagance had all been spent on the Lin family’s young lady.
As for Ye Weiqing, he was even more foolish—giving gifts everywhere and seemingly enjoying nothing himself.
Meanwhile, the Second Branch had openly taken control of the Duke’s entire fortune. That was clearly unreasonable.
The Old Madam trembled with anger. This time she truly wanted to faint. She had never taken Ye Yunmian seriously before, thinking a young girl could not be so unrestrained—but she hadn’t expected her to say anything, absolutely anything, without fear.