Han Yao’s expression stiffened for a mont, but he quickly composed himself and smiled. "Miss Ye, you have quite a sense of humor. The last ti we t at Lan Yue Building, I failed to recognize you and spoke out of turn. I have felt terribly guilty about it since. I’ve been wanting to give you a formal apology, but I could never find the right opportunity—"
Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze, as if looking at him for even a second longer would stain her eyes.
"An apology won’t be necessary. Besides, I have things to do, so I can’t stay."
Han Yao’s eyes lit up imdiately. "Is Miss Ye busy choosing fabric? As it happens, I’m a regular at this shop. Whatever you’re looking for, Miss Ye, just let know."
Ye Chutang found this laughable.
’The Shopkeeper is standing right here. Where does he get the nerve to claim he knows this place so well?’
"That won’t be necessary," Ye Chutang said coolly.
However, Han Yao was persistent. He moved closer, feigning generosity. "To show my sincerity, I’ll cover all of Miss Ye’s expenses in this shop today! What do you say, Miss Ye?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu turned to look at him.
’This guy doesn’t even look that rich. Can he even afford this shop? How dare he make such a promise?’
Ye Chutang pretended not to hear and said to the Shopkeeper, "May I have a word in private?"
The Shopkeeper nodded repeatedly and led Ye Chutang further into the shop.
Han Yao suddenly sidestepped to block Ye Chutang’s path, a sycophantic grin on his face. "Miss Ye, why be so distant? You’re Brother Mingze’s cousin. That naturally makes our relationship closer than others. Besides, we’re just picking out so fabric. It won’t cost much. It’s just a small token of my sincerity. Please, Miss Ye, do the honor of accepting."
Ye Chutang paused slightly. Raising her gaze, she finally deigned to look at him.
Her dark, calm eyes were like a tranquil pool. But her placid gaze felt tangible, a heavy weight that settled on the heart and made it tremble.
An inexplicable chill ran down Han Yao’s spine. A coldness, its source unknown even to him, shot up the back of his neck.
The smile on his face froze, inch by inch.
"You probably can’t afford the things I have my eye on. Also—" Ye Chutang’s tone was detached, "—kindly step aside. You’re blocking my way."
Before Han Yao could even react, he had already stepped back automatically, clearing a path for Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu inside and followed the Shopkeeper up to the second floor.
The sound of their footsteps faded away. It was only after his servant called out to him several tis that Han Yao abruptly snapped out of his daze.
"Young Master, Young Master? What’s wrong?"
Realizing, belatedly, that he had just been completely intimidated by a single glance from Ye Chutang, Han Yao was flooded with a profound sense of sha.
He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.
"She really thinks she’s so high and mighty lady!"
’She’s just a helpless orphan living under soone else’s roof, yet she dares to put on airs in front of !’
Seeing how furious he was, his servant chid in, "Exactly! Young Master, you took the initiative to apologize, and she didn’t give you any face at all! So many won would kill for an opportunity like this, but she thinks she’s too good for it!"
Han Yao was a known womanizer. Relying on his family’s bit of power, he often used coercion and enticents to defile young, beautiful won of low status.
Ye Chutang was a young lady of the Ye Family, but Ye Mingze despised her. Therefore, Han Yao didn’t take her seriously.
He had just made a polite gesture, so how could he not be furious when Ye Chutang gave him no face whatsoever!
He narrowed his eyes, then stord out with a flick of his sleeves.
"Just you wait! The day will co when she’ll be begging for help!"
With that, he left in a rage.
The Shopkeeper, who was walking behind Ye Chutang, heard the commotion as he reached the turn of the stairs and glanced back.
...
"Miss, are you certain you want to take over our shop?" the Shopkeeper asked again.
Ye Chutang nodded, then took out her purse and handed over the silver notes.
"This is a deposit of five thousand taels."
The Shopkeeper’s eyes widened in shock.
The other day when Ye Chutang ca and expressed interest in his shop, he hadn’t taken her seriously and had simply quoted a random number. He had assud she could never produce such a huge sum, but who knew—
He picked up the stack of silver notes and counted them carefully, his shock deepening.
’This really is five thousand taels of silver! No doubt about it!’
’This young woman looks to be only seventeen or eighteen, and she’s dressed so plainly. How could she possibly produce so much money all at once!?’
"I will pay the remainder in three days. Is that acceptable to you?" Ye Chutang asked.
"This... this..."
Although he had been instructed by his superiors not to lower the price if she returned, he was still astonished to see the silver notes.
’She actually managed to scrape together so much money...’
The Shopkeeper let out a long breath and smiled.
"Of course, no problem! I’ll go write a receipt right away—oh, and if I may be so bold as to ask, what kind of business do you plan to run after taking over such a large storefront?"
’So much money invested... if she can’t make it back, then...’
Ye Chutang smiled faintly.
"In ti, you will see for yourself."
...
「Imperial College.」
Ye Jingyan and Ye Yunfeng followed Assistant Teacher Liu Hexuan inside.
As they walked, the Assistant Teacher explained, "The six halls, East and West, are where the students have their lessons. Classes start every day between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. The dormitories are just ahead. Everything has been prepared, so you can move right in."
He observed the two brothers from the corner of his eye, quite curious.
’The Lord Sacrificial Officer usually has incredibly high standards. I wonder what on earth Ye Jingyan could have discussed with him to earn such favor.’
’But setting that aside, their deanor is excellent. They are courteous and well-mannered, not at all inferior to the young masters from the great families in the capital.’
"Thank you, Assistant Liu," Ye Jingyan said politely.
Liu Hexuan smiled. "Think nothing of it."
He led the two to Guangye Hall. Inside, the many students seated at their desks all looked up.
Their gazes were curious and appraising.
Liu Hexuan explained, "These two are new students enrolling today. From now on, they will be joining you in class."
The students looked even more surprised.
Enrollnt dates were standardized for everyone, so new arrivals in the middle of the term naturally drew attention.
Liu Hexuan said gently, "Please, take your seats."
There were about twenty people in the room, all between the ages of twelve and sixteen.
The two brothers took the last two empty seats. From ti to ti, soone would turn back to glance at them.
As soon as Liu Hexuan left, a boy sitting in front of the brothers imdiately turned around and asked curiously, "Are you two brothers? How co you’re enrolling now? I heard you even ca here in the sa carriage as Ye Mingze? Oh, right, you’re all nad Ye!"
Ye Jingyan: "..."
’Is this guy a chatterbox?’
Just as he was about to answer, a cold voice suddenly ca from the doorway.
"Which one of you is Ye Jingyan?"
Ye Jingyan looked up.
A boy of about sixteen or seventeen stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. His fairly handso face was etched with a cold expression.
His gaze swept over the room before finally landing on Ye Jingyan, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ye Chutang’s brother?"
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