Chapter 25: Unexpectedly, No One Protected Her

Shen Yanchuan narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly.

He knew Ye Chutang certainly had a way to handle things, but the fact that this matter could be resolved so quickly was indeed beyond his expectations.

During his time in Jiangling, from the first time he met Ye Chutang until now, the troubles surrounding her seemed never to cease.

However, no matter what happened or what kind of situation arose, that woman was always calm and unperturbed, and in the end, she could always resolve matters with effortless grace.

This was by no means something an ordinary woman could achieve.

Furthermore, there was her exquisite small regular script calligraphy...

"What happened with the matter I asked you to investigate?" Shen Yanchuan asked.

Lian Zhou snapped back to reality. Recalling the information he had gathered today, his expression became somewhat complicated.

"I heard they came to Jiangling three years ago. At that time, Physician Ye was only fourteen, yet she managed to establish a foothold here for her entire family. Jiangling is a small place and inevitably somewhat xenophobic. Being an outsider and a woman, one can only imagine how much hardship she must have endured."

Speaking to this point, Lian Zhou felt a sense of emotion in his heart.

The world was already a difficult place, let alone in Ye Chutang's situation.

"Fortunately, Physician Ye has excellent medical skills, otherwise..."

Although the consultation fees Ye Chutang charged were not inexpensive, Lian Zhou had still paid them, because he knew clearly that her medical skills were indeed worth the price.

However...

"I just don't know where she acquired her medical skills or who her teacher was. Although they have been in Jiangling for three years, no one knows where their hometown is. It is only heard that they arrived three years ago along with the refugees fleeing the famine, and settled here afterward."

Shen Yanchuan paused. "Fleeing famine?"

Lian Zhou nodded. "Three years ago, there was a heavy snowstorm and a great famine in the north. Many people fled south to escape the disaster."

He lamented, "If I hadn't specifically inquired, I really wouldn't have realized they had such an experience."

Mainly because Ye Chutang's appearance and temperament were far too outstanding—gentle, elegant, and easygoing. Those who didn't know her might mistake her for a noble lady carefully raised by a prestigious family.

And her two younger brothers, though they had vastly different personalities, were both blessed with good looks; the temperament in their bones was different from others.

In short... there was no sign at all that they had once been refugees who nearly died on the road.

Shen Yanchuan pondered for a moment. "What about her husband and family? Is there not a single person to protect her?"

Lian Zhou's expression became even more peculiar.

"Master, Physician Ye... is not yet married."

Shen Yanchuan paused, his eyelashes lifting slightly. "Oh?"

Thinking about how such a massive misunderstanding had occurred, Lian Zhou felt quite embarrassed. "That little girl is actually her youngest sister, ranked fifth, so her nickname is Xiao Wu."

Shen Yanchuan's long, jade-like fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair, his thoughts unknown.

Lian Zhou continued to lament to himself, "Calculating it, three years ago, Physician Ye not only had to lead two young brothers through flight, but also had to care for an infant in swaddling clothes. It really wasn't easy! I truly don't know how they endured it."

He even felt a faint sense of admiration for Ye Chutang in his heart.

"It is also because of this that Physician Ye has not married to this day; even marriage proposals are few and far between."

Logically speaking, with Ye Chutang's beauty and figure, at her age, suitors should have been trampling through her doorstep long ago. But who could help her when she had three "baggage" siblings?

No matter how good she was, those people would keep their distance.

Remembering something, Lian Zhou added, "I heard that Cao Chengwen had taken an interest in Physician Ye before, wanting to take her as a concubine, but Physician Ye naturally refused. Perhaps... the reason Cao Chengwen targets her so much is also due to this."

The Cao family could be considered a prominent household in Jiangling. If she could obtain their protection, Ye Chutang's life would surely be much easier.

At the very least, she wouldn't have to struggle alone to support the family and provide for her younger siblings as she did now.

Shen Yanchuan glanced out the window.

The people from the yamen had all departed, leaving only the siblings. Ye Jingyan seemed to let out a long sigh of relief, Ye Yunfeng was saying something with an excited expression, and Ye Chutang leaned down slightly to pinch the little toddler's nose, a smile spreading across her lips.

The little toddler immediately grabbed her finger and smiled back, her eyes curving into crescents.

Ye Chutang straightened up and led her back.

Her eyes and brows were bright, her smile shallow; one could not tell at all what thrilling events she had experienced today.

As she walked, a light breeze lifted the hem of her skirt, outlining an extremely slender waist.

A stray lock of hair fluttered; she casually raised her hand to tuck the black silk behind her ear, then, as if by accident, glanced in this direction.

Their eyes met.

Ye Chutang gave a slight nod and quickly withdrew her gaze.

Ever since that night of the Spring Lantern Festival, there seemed to be an inexplicable tacit understanding between them. They both knew that the other was not as simple as they appeared on the surface, yet they each maintained their boundaries, never overstepping.

Shen Yanchuan's thin lips curved very slightly.

...

Just as Yang Zhen returned to his manor, a graceful and charming figure approached him.

"Why has my Lord returned so late today?"

Liu Yiyi's voice was sweet and soft, enough to make one's bones feel weak upon hearing it.

However, Yang Zhen's face was exceptionally cold and grim.

Realizing something was wrong, Liu Yiyi paused her steps and lowered her voice. "Has my Lord encountered some troubling matter?"

Yang Zhen ordered the servants to leave and closed the door before looking at Liu Yiyi again.

He asked in a deep voice, "Do you truly not know why I have returned so late?"

Liu Yiyi had never seen him look so stern and fierce, and she immediately became nervous.

"This concubine truly does not know. Is my Lord..."

"Those two people who falsely accused Ye Chutang—you bribed them, didn't you!" Yang Zhen asked coldly.

Liu Yiyi's heart sank.

In truth, she already knew what had happened at the Ye Medical Clinic during the day, and she knew that Yang Zhen's late return must have been from a personal interrogation. But she hadn't expected him to guess her directly!

Could those two have let it slip?

Liu Yiyi's expression turned aggrieved. "My Lord, I am wronged!"

Yang Zhen pointed at her. "You still dare to argue! You could bribe a common woman, but the people from the yamen—if they weren't acting out of fear or hesitation, why would they take such a huge risk for a mere fifty taels of silver!"

Actually, those two had been quite tight-lipped, but Yang Zhen was no fool. After thinking it through, he quickly deduced the mastermind.

—Currently, the one who wanted to ruin Ye Chutang most was Cao Deping. Given today's incident, it was obvious that Liu Yiyi's instigation must have played a part!

Hearing his tone, Liu Yiyi knew there was no possibility of defense. She bit her lip, eyes brimming with tears, and began to sob, "I only wanted to give her a lesson, I had no other intentions—"

"Nonsense!"

Yang Zhen interrupted her irritably.

"Do you know what kind of time it is? You insist on causing trouble! Are you so afraid that my career will be delayed!"

(End of Chapter)