Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Pitiful
Such a mind and such methods were nothing short of profound.
Yin Shaoting had no objections to her actions. In fact, he was quite pleased to see them.
—After all, once this web was complete, he would be a beneficiary as well.
But... he truly didn’t understand why Ye Chutang was going to all this trouble.
"With your abilities, even without opening this tavern, you could still thrive in the capital."
Yin Shaoting remarked with a sigh, "Though your father and brother are gone, you’re now a guest of honor at the Long Princess Mansion, and Duke Dingbei himself owes you his life. With backers like that, you could do as you please in the capital without fear. Why bother...?"
Such actions, while profitable, also came with risks.
After hearing him out, Ye Chutang asked a question in return, "What do you believe is the true foundation for one’s security in this world?"
Yin Shaoting was taken aback.
Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Yourself."
Yin Shaoting understood what she meant and said instinctively, "But you’re a woman, after all—"
Realizing his slip of the tongue, he immediately stopped himself.
From the first day he met Ye Chutang, he knew she was no clinging vine who depended on others to survive.
Ye Chutang wasn’t surprised he would say such a thing. After all, he lived in this era; it was how everyone thought.
"The world urges men to be diligent and self-reliant, to achieve great things. Of women, however, it only demands obedience, gentleness, and submission. But if I had been like that, Yan, A Feng, and Xiao Wu would have died in the great snowstorm three years ago."
Ye Chutang’s tone was placid, as if she were discussing an ordinary matter that had nothing to do with her.
Yin Shaoting couldn’t help but say, "But that was because your two younger brothers were still young. I remember, your third brother is already fourteen this year, isn’t he? He’s of an age to support the family now, so you..."
"You’re not wrong, but you seem to have forgotten. My father once rose to the rank of Minister of the Ministry of Justice, yet wasn’t he demoted in the blink of an eye, his fate completely out of his own hands?"
A muscle in Yin Shaoting’s eyelid twitched. "Watch what you say!"
He sat up straight and glanced around, a rare look of nervousness on his face.
"You can’t just say things like that!"
Ye Chutang, however, seemed unconcerned. Her expression relaxed into a faint smile. "I appreciate your kind intentions, but I was only speaking the truth, and I’m not afraid of being overheard. I don’t mean anything by it—I’m just tired of a life controlled by others."
She idly turned the teacup in her hands. Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it held an undeniable undercurrent of conviction and resolve.
"My father passed the imperial examinations at a young age and enjoyed a prosperous official career, but didn’t he still end up in such a state? I’m grateful that the Long Princess Mansion and the Dingbei Marquis Mansion are willing to help me, but I can’t truly treat them as my only support."
"The mountain you lean on will crumble. If you wish to live in peace and freedom, the only way is to become the mountain yourself."
Yin Shaoting’s mind reeled, and it took him a long moment to recover.
’He never would have imagined that Ye Chutang held such convictions!’
He wanted to say something, but swallowed the words before they could leave his lips.
—Every word she had spoken was a testament to what she had experienced and endured over the years.
’Only when you are strong enough do you have the right to be heard!’
He let out a soft sigh.
"I originally came over today just to tell you that the other shops are doing well, so you could rest easy here for a while longer."
He never expected that from the very beginning, she had no intention of just quietly settling in one corner.
’Then again, if that weren’t the case, she never would have returned to the Capital.’
However, Yin Shaoting had traveled far and wide for many years; he was worldly and quick-witted. After the initial shock passed, he was quick to accept Ye Chutang’s plans.
He shook his head, a smile of understanding on his lips.
"It seems I’ve underestimated you."
A smile touched Ye Chutang’s eyes as well.
’This was why she was willing to work with Yin Shaoting.’
Compared to most people, he was resourceful and broad-minded. There were many things she didn’t need to explain; he would understand on his own, and they would reach a tacit understanding.
"Once the business is on the right track, making money isn’t difficult. Besides, you’ve made quite a name for yourself now. Even if someone wanted to cause trouble, they’d have to think twice."
As he spoke, Yin Shaoting’s tone shifted. "However, how long do you plan to stay here?"
’He didn’t believe for a second that Ye Chutang had come here just for some peace and quiet.’
Ye Chutang said, "After the Double Ninth Festival, I’m taking my parents and older brother back to Qingzhou."
The news that she intended to move her family’s graves had long since spread through the Capital City, so Yin Shaoting was already aware of it.
Qingzhou was neither close to nor far from the Capital City. At a distance of over three hundred li, the entire trip would likely take a month.
Yin Shaoting nodded.
"It’s good to get it over with. In the end, one’s remains should return to their ancestral home. That uncle of yours—that scoundrel, Ye Heng—cut corners so badly back then that he didn’t even give his own brother a proper funeral. Utterly heartless!"
At the mention of Ye Heng, Yin Shaoting was filled with disgust.
He had brothers of his own and was very close with his eldest, so he found Ye Heng’s past actions utterly despicable.
Now the tables had turned; it was time for him to pay his dues!
"It’s a pity the punishment was too light."
’But what could be done? He’s one of the Second Prince’s men.’
’Chief Cabinet Minister Jiang Zhao Yuan did everything he could to protect him, and in the end, the man’s life was spared!’
Ye Chutang’s expression was placid. "Since he had nothing to do with my father’s murder, there’s no need for me to be merciless."
She lifted her gaze to the distant mountains, watching the white mist drift with the wind across the forested slopes, and the sight left her feeling peaceful and refreshed.
"Besides, his family’s current situation is pitiful enough."
