"Last ti I visited the Ye Family, I ntioned this to her, and she specifically asked when you were going to Wulan Mountain." Princess Qingyang raised an eyebrow. "But if you don’t want to talk about it, never mind."
With that, she turned to leave.
A cool, clear voice finally sounded from behind her.
"Wait."
...
Ye Chutang sent Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng back to the Imperial College before heading to Fengling Lane with Xiao Wu.
As she reached the entrance to the lane, she could see thick black smoke billowing in the distance. The air was filled with the acrid sll of sothing burning.
A large crowd was gathered outside the Ye Family’s gate, craning their necks to get a look. Many were gossiping with animated expressions.
"Hey, do you think the Ye Family is cursed? They’ve been having one disaster after another."
"Who knows... but it definitely isn’t normal!"
"They just moved back and are already stirring up so much trouble. I say we stay far away from the Ye Family, or their bad luck might rub off on us!"
The Ye Family hadn’t known a mont’s peace lately, so it was hard for people not to wonder.
Suddenly, soone in the crowd noticed Ye Chutang and whispered, "Isn’t that Ye Chutang? What’s she doing here?"
In an instant, many people turned, their gazes fixed on Ye Chutang.
Everyone knew Ye Heng’s family had moved back here because of Ye Chutang, and now, the woman herself had appeared!
The crowd instinctively fell silent, though their eyes remained fixed on Ye Chutang, wondering why she had co.
Ye Chutang paid the stares no mind, leading Xiao Wu by the hand to the Ye Family’s gate.
Staring at the tightly shut gate, she raised a hand and tapped the knocker.
...
Ye Heng hadn’t slept all night. Unshaven and still in yesterday’s clothes, he looked much older and more haggard.
The house being destroyed was a minor issue. More importantly—Ye Mingze was still unconscious!
Mrs. Gao kept a vigil by Ye Mingze’s bedside, her eyes swollen from weeping.
Ye Shixian had to manage the entire estate, so busy she was run off her feet. She was like a tightly drawn bowstring, not daring to relax for a single mont.
The atmosphere in the entire residence was stagnant and heavy. The servants didn’t dare to breathe, fearing they would beco the target of soone’s displaced anger.
This was the scene that greeted Ye Shixian as she stepped into the room.
"Father, Mother."
Hearing her voice, Ye Heng finally ca to his senses. He looked up at her and asked hoarsely, "Have you found anything?"
Ye Shixian pressed her lips together and shook her head.
"It looks like Mingze fell asleep, forgot to blow out the candle, and... accidentally..."
"Impossible!" Mrs. Gao cried out, as if she’d been severely provoked. "How could Mingze bring harm upon himself? It must have been soone else! Soone must have done this in secret!"
’In his heart, Ye Heng harbored the sa suspicion.’ But without evidence, it was all for naught.
Seeing his lack of reaction, Mrs. Gao beca resentful.
"It was Ye Chutang... It was her! It must be her! She hates us, so she’s taking revenge on purpose!"
Ye Heng’s fists clenched and then relaxed. He berated her in a low voice, "Keep your voice down! Aren’t you afraid of being overheard? Haven’t we been mocked enough already!?"
But Mrs. Gao wasn’t intimidated. On the contrary, as if throwing caution to the wind, she craned her neck and retorted, "So what if they hear ? I know she’s suspicious! Not one good thing has happened since she returned to the Capital City! It’s been one trouble after another, and now it’s even brought disaster upon Mingze! If we can’t bla her, who else is there to bla!?"
She grew more agitated as she spoke and suddenly stood up, about to run outside.
"I’m going to confront her myself!"
Startled, Ye Heng imdiately went to grab her, but as soon as he touched her wrist, Mrs. Gao violently shook him off.
In a fit of desperation, Ye Heng raised his hand and gave her a resounding slap!
SLAP!
Mrs. Gao was stunned by the slap, covering her face in disbelief.
Ye Shixian was so shocked she stumbled back half a step.
Ye Heng’s patience was gone. He pointed at Mrs. Gao and cursed, "You foolish woman! What do you know? That Ye Chutang has the Eldest Princess backing her now! Are you trying to drag us all down by openly going to make trouble for her?!"
Just then, the steward rushed in. Seeing the scene, he could only bite the bullet and say, "Master! Sec-Second Miss Ye is here!"
Ye Heng whipped his head around, stunned. "What!?"
His expression flickered as a thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
’He actually suspected Ye Chutang too, but with no proof, he hadn’t dared to voice it.’
’Who would have thought Ye Chutang would show up at their door of her own accord!’
Ye Shixian furrowed her brow. "Father, why is she..."
After weighing his options, Ye Heng finally said, "Let her in!"
’He’d just see what tricks she had up her sleeve this ti!’
...
Ye Chutang followed the steward inside, her steps light. The first thing she saw was a courtyard in complete disarray.
Ye Chutang sounded quite regretful.
"How did it get burned to this state?"
Ye Shixian was waiting for her in the courtyard. Hearing this, she found it laughable.
"Your news travels fast, Cousin. Have you co so soon to laugh at our expense?"
Here, on Ye Family grounds and with no outsiders around, Ye Shixian spoke much more bluntly.
Ye Chutang paused, apparently not detecting the mockery in her tone.
"A fire this big... I’m afraid half the Capital City knows by now. I didn’t want to intrude, but I thought it over and felt I should co and see, given that sothing so serious has happened."
To Ye Shixian’s ears, however, these words were utterly sarcastic!
’They had just had a total falling out, losing all face in the process. What affection was there left to speak of!’
’And Ye Chutang had the nerve to say such things with a straight face!’
"That is our family’s business and has nothing to do with you!" Having not slept all night, Ye Shixian no longer had the patience to put on a pleasant facade and play nice with Ye Chutang.
She twisted her lips into a cold smile. "Plenty of people outside saw you co in, I’m sure. It won’t be long before word spreads that you, Ye Chutang, are sticking by the Ye Family through thick and thin, easily earning a good na for yourself. Unfortunately, we don’t have the patience to host you. You’d best get out now!"
"It seems my cousin misunderstands greatly."
Ye Chutang shook her head, then glanced past her.
"Actually, I ca today for another reason. There’s sothing I wish to discuss with Second Uncle personally."
Ye Shixian’s brows knitted together, feeling utterly repulsed. "What could you possibly—"
Before she could finish, Ye Heng suddenly pushed the door open, his eyes hostile. "What do you want to discuss?"
As he spoke, he discreetly sized up Ye Chutang, trying to find any telltale signs.
’If last night’s fire really was Ye Chutang’s doing, then this whole affair was...’
’Did she co here so early out of genuine curiosity, or was it a pretense?’
Ye Chutang ignored his scrutinizing gaze. After a mont of reflection, she said:
"To be honest, I ca today to discuss with Second Uncle the matter of moving the graves of my parents and older brother and erecting a new gravestone."
Ye Heng froze.
"What did you say!?"
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