Chapter 352: Chapter 352: Better to Ask the Sister-in-Law Than the Brother
Shaoyao’s heart skipped a beat.
"In response to your question, Young Miss, it has been nine years."
She had been sold to the Ye Family as a child and had more or less grown up alongside Ye Shixian.
Ye Shixian seemed to drift into her memories. "Has it been that long... I recall you have an uncle, don’t you?"
A cold sweat broke out on Shaoyao’s brow, and her lips turned pale. "Y-Yes..."
Ye Shixian paused, then suddenly asked, "You haven’t been back in a long time. Would you like to go home for a visit?"
Shaoyao panicked. "Young Miss! If I’ve done something wrong, please punish me however you see fit! Just please don’t send me away!"
Her parents had died when she was young. For as long as she could remember, she had been raised in her uncle’s home.
Her aunt considered her a burden and was exceptionally cruel. Not only was she forced to do laundry and cook from a young age, but she was also frequently beaten.
She had cried to her uncle about it, but he simply turned a blind eye. Later, when she was a little older, he sold her off without a second thought.
She had worked so hard to become Ye Shixian’s personal maid, thinking she had finally secured a good life. But the good times didn’t last, and now the Ye Family was in trouble again!
’What good could possibly come of her sending me back now?’
Ye Shixian frowned impatiently. "This is a good thing. What are you crying about?"
Shaoyao bit her lip, her tears tasting of bitterness.
"I belong to you, Young Miss! I beg you, please don’t cast me aside!"
Annoyed by the fuss, Ye Shixian snapped, "That’s enough!"
The water had cooled to a suitable temperature. Ye Shixian picked up the white cloth from the basin, wrung it out, and began to carefully wash her face.
Shaoyao remained kneeling until Ye Shixian had finished washing her face, changed her clothes, and entered the inner chamber to rest. Only then did she finally hear the words, "You may go."
Shaoyao quickly acknowledged the dismissal, rose to her feet, and emptied the basin of water.
The water had grown cold.
No sound came from inside; Ye Shixian must have fallen asleep. Yet as Shaoyao stood outside the door, her heart refused to settle.
Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, making the swaying tree shadows look like demonic specters. A chill crept up from the soles of her feet, shot up her spine to the nape of her neck, and made Shaoyao shudder involuntarily.
She couldn’t help but glance to her left—toward the quarters where Mrs. Gao had lived.
A flicker of deep-seated terror passed through Shaoyao’s eyes as a memory surfaced.
...
The next day, news of the farcical dispute predictably spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys of the Capital City.
Some were suspicious, some were curious, and some were smug.
But Mrs. Gao’s death did indeed push Ye Chutang back into the eye of the storm.
Although Mrs. Gao had a poor reputation while alive, death extinguishes all grievances. It wasn’t long before people began to express their disapproval of Ye Chutang, feeling she had been too harsh on her aunt’s family.
Princess Qingyang was furious and stormed directly into the Ye Mansion.
"Chutang! Do you have any idea what kind of vicious rumors are flying around out there? How can you just sit here so calmly!?"
Ye Chutang was in the courtyard drying herbs. She had been so busy lately that she hadn’t had time to tend to them.
She finally had a moment to spare, only to have Princess Qingyang show up unexpectedly.
"I’ve done nothing wrong. What power do those rumors have over me?"
Princess Qingyang stomped her foot in frustration. "That’s not the point! Even if you and I know they’re just rumors, other people don’t!"
’The things people are saying are just awful!’
Ye Chutang looked at her and couldn’t help but smile. "Isn’t Shuntian Prefecture still investigating? Once the truth comes to light, my name will be cleared. Why waste energy on it?"
Princess Qingyang felt it was impossible to get through to her.
"The truth coming to light? Easier said than done! It happened in the middle of the night with no witnesses and no evidence. What could they possibly find out!"
Given her status, it was easy for her to inquire about the case, so she knew exactly how difficult it would be to solve.
Ye Chutang paused. "Every action leaves a trace. There’s something suspicious about Mrs. Gao’s death. The truth won’t stay buried forever."
Princess Qingyang was about to say more, but she stopped short when she saw Ye Chutang’s calm and composed expression.
She glanced around and lowered her voice. "What is it? You have a handle on this?"
Ye Chutang smiled. "In any case, it’s only a few more days. Just wait and see, Princess."
Hearing this, Princess Qingyang had no choice but to agree. "Fine, have it your way! I’ll trust you on this!"
She idly kicked a pebble at her feet. "But speaking of which, it’s like that branch of the family is cursed, with one disaster after another. The only shame is that Ye Heng has already been exiled. If he knew what was happening here... tsk."
’Imagine the drama.’
Ye Chutang’s eyes narrowed slightly. "By my calculations, he should be arriving in Tongbei soon, shouldn’t he?"
Princess Qingyang chuckled. "Tongbei is on the border—desolate and freezing. In past years, it would start snowing as early as the tenth month. The ground freezes solid. He was exiled for a major crime, so he’s bound to suffer a great deal."
She shot a glance at Ye Chutang.
In a way, this could be considered a small down payment for the grievances she and her siblings had suffered all those years ago.
Princess Qingyang’s eyes darted about as she changed the subject. "I wonder when my brother is coming back. He’s been gone in Changzhou for a long time."
Still arranging her herbs, Ye Chutang replied without looking up, "It should be soon."
Princess Qingyang’s eyes lit up. "How do you know? Is it because you miss him—ahem! I mean, are you also hoping he’ll come back soon? The autumn hunt is just around the corner, and my brother is amazing at riding and archery! But he hasn’t been in the Capital City for the past few years, so I haven’t even had a chance to see him compete. If he’s willing to participate this time, we’ll be in for a real treat!"
She licked her lips as she spoke. "Every year, His Majesty bestows many gifts upon the winner of the hunt! Most notably, he also gets an extra reward of roasted venison that Your Majesty carves himself! It’s absolutely divine!"
More than the delicious flavor, it was the glory and imperial favor it symbolized that were truly coveted.
Ye Chutang finally stopped tending to her herbs, a thoughtful look on her face.
Princess Qingyang sidled closer and said conspiratorially, "It really is delicious! My father won once, and it was so fragrant! What do you say? Why don’t you go and persuade my brother?"
Ye Chutang turned her head. "Me?"
"Yes!"
Princess Qingyang said with conviction,
"He won’t listen to me, but he’ll definitely listen to you! You’re the one who saved his life! If you just say you want to try some, how could he possibly refuse?"
Ye Chutang nodded.
Princess Qingyang’s heart leaped with joy, but in the next moment, she heard Ye Chutang say, "It’s true, he doesn’t listen to you very much."
Princess Qingyang was speechless. "..."
’Was it really necessary to say that out loud? I already knew that!’
But since she was the one asking for a favor, Princess Qingyang held her tongue. She blinked. "So, does that mean you agree?"
’There’s something odd about the way she asked that,’ Ye Chutang thought, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. After a moment’s consideration, she agreed.
"If you’re the one who wants to try it, I can ask him later. But I can’t guarantee he’ll agree."
’A man like Shen Yanchuan probably couldn’t be bothered with such festivities.’
Princess Qingyang’s eyes sparkled. "It’s a deal!"
’I’ve begged my brother so many times, and he’s ignored me every single time. But this year is different. This year, I have backup!’
’She’d finally figured it out.’
’—Asking your brother is useless! You have to ask your future sister-in-law!’
