Chapter 64: Retreating to Advance (Second Update)

Ye Chutang pinched her cheek.

"Don't worry, I'll show you everything."

Xiao Wu's eyes curved into crescents.

—I knew Big Sister was the best!

Ye Chutang carried Xiao Wu into the room and had Ye Yunfeng open the two chests.

"A-Yan, you are well aware of the climate and harvests over the past three years. Look at the section regarding land leases."

Ye Jingyan responded, "Alright."

Ye Chutang herself began flipping through the account books of those shops.

Xiao Wu sat beside her, with a book placed in front of her as well.

She read very quickly, the abacus in her hand clicking and clacking rhythmically.

Among the siblings, only Ye Yunfeng was left with nothing to do.

He looked left and right, and finally, unable to restrain himself, he leaned forward to take a peek. Seeing the lines of text, his handsome face instantly crumpled into a frown.

A headache! A real headache!

Without even looking up, Ye Chutang said, "A-Feng, if you truly have nothing to do, go out and buy some mung bean cakes for Xiao Wu."

Ye Yunfeng felt as if he had been granted a reprieve. "On it! I'm going right now!"

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's little ears twitched, and she quickened her pace.

—Mung bean cakes! I have to finish this account book before Fourth Brother gets back!

...

Ye Yunfeng was quick on his feet and soon returned with the goods.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Ye Shixian on the way back.

"Where is A-Feng heading?" Ye Shixian's gaze swept over what he was holding as she spoke with a smile.

Ye Yunfeng held no goodwill toward their family, so his attitude was naturally cold and indifferent.

"Buying some food for Xiao Wu."

With that, he turned and strode away.

Ye Shixian nodded understandingly, then added, "By the way, I also bought some things. I originally intended to give them to you when you went to the Imperial Academy to study, but since you can't go anymore, shall I just give them to you directly?"

Ye Yunfeng's footsteps faltered, and his brow furrowed deeply. "What did you say?"

...

"Big Sister!"

Ye Yunfeng hurried back, jogging into the room.

Ye Chutang looked up at him. "What is it?"

Ye Yunfeng's expression was urgent. "I just ran into Ye Shixian. She said that Third Brother and I can't go to the Imperial Academy to study anymore? Is it true?"

At these words, Ye Jingyan also set down the booklet in his hand.

Ye Chutang had thought it was something serious, but upon hearing this, she looked back at the account books.

"Don't take it seriously."

A moment of confusion flashed across Ye Yunfeng's face. "Big Sister?"

It wasn't that he didn't trust her, but rather that Ye Shixian's tone and expression had been far too natural when she said it!

"She said it's because of Father—"

Ye Yunfeng paused, scratching his head in frustration.

"Actually, I don't care, but Third Brother absolutely must go! As for Second Uncle, this—"

He wasn't cut out for studying; it wouldn't matter where he went, but Third Brother was different.

If he couldn't go to the Imperial Academy, wouldn't that ruin Third Brother's future?

Ye Chutang closed the account book in her hand, her eyebrows slightly raised.

"If you truly rely on him, you and A-Yan will never be able to make anything of yourselves."

Ye Jingyan guessed something. "Did you never intend to ask for his help in the first place, Sister?"

Ye Chutang shook the account book in her hand.

"If he hadn't failed to accomplish this task, how could he have handed over these account books so easily as compensation?"

From the very beginning, she knew Ye Heng was unreliable; therefore, it was better to retreat in order to advance.

At the very least, she now had what she wanted.

"Ignore what she said. In a few days, someone will come to take you to the Imperial Academy."

Hearing her say this, the weight in Ye Yunfeng's heart finally lifted.

Although he didn't know what method his sister had devised, she had never broken a promise, and this time would surely be no different!

...

In the afternoon, Ye Shixian suddenly arrived.

"Cousin, I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

Ye Chutang smiled faintly. "Not at all. But what about you? Aren't you looking after Mingze?"

The smile on Ye Shixian's face faded significantly, though she quickly regained her composure.

"He is feeling much better; he doesn't need constant supervision."

Otherwise, wouldn't she truly become a madwoman with mental issues?

Ye Chutang nodded. "That's good then."

Ye Shixian did not want to discuss Ye Mingze with her, fearing that she might again bring up wanting to see their parents or elder brother.

"Actually, I came this time because there is something I wish to discuss with you. The Princess's Manor is about to host the Morning Flower Banquet. I would like to invite you to come with me. What do you think?"

As she spoke, a hint of pride appeared on her face.

"The Princess's status is incredibly noble; I'm sure I don't need to say much for you to understand. Those qualified to attend this banquet are nothing less than the noble daughters of the capital's prominent families. Why don't you accompany me, Sister?"

She seemed almost afraid that Ye Chutang wouldn't realize how much honor it was to be invited to this banquet.

Ye Chutang looked at her, finding it somewhat amusing.

It seemed Ye Shixian truly believed she had already entered that social circle.

"For such an occasion, if I were to attend without an invitation, I fear it might be inappropriate, wouldn't it?"

Ye Shixian had already prepared her rebuttal: "It doesn't matter. Those who are invited are permitted to bring their kin along. It just so happens that my mother cannot attend, so if you come with me, you'll have company. Besides, you haven't been back for a long time and might not be familiar with many people. This is a great opportunity to introduce them to you, isn't it?"

Her words were earnest, as if it were a sincere invitation.

Ye Chutang pondered for a moment, appearing somewhat swayed.

After Ye Shixian urged her a few more times, Ye Chutang finally nodded.

"Alright."

...

After Ye Shixian left, Xiao Wu ran out from the inner room, looking up at Ye Chutang with a face full of curiosity.

—Doesn't Big Sister dislike these kinds of occasions? Why did she agree?

Seeing her, Ye Chutang smiled. "Finished with the account books?"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, but in the next second, her little face slumped.

Seeing her dejected state, Ye Chutang guessed what had happened. "What, is there a problem with the accounts?"

Xiao Wu's face turned red from holding it in.

—It's more than just a problem! It's a massive problem! Thirteen shops, and every single one of them is losing money!

Since she had learned to read, she had never seen such terrible bookkeeping; she had nearly fainted after finishing the calculations.

—It's so sad, so sad!

Ye Chutang patted her hair soothingly. She wasn't surprised by this and said with a smile, "It would be stranger if they were making money."

Xiao Wu was still huffing in anger.

—The accounts don't match at all! It's purely a fake account book meant to deceive people!

Ye Chutang wasn't actually very angry, but one thing struck her as quite strange.

Some of these shops were in excellent locations; logically, no matter how poorly managed, they shouldn't have produced such abysmal financial records.

If Ye Heng had anticipated their return and prepared fraudulent accounts in advance, that would be one thing.

But the key was—these dozen or so account books were not recently forged.

At the very least, during this short period since their return, there would have been no time to produce so many fake books.

Since Ye Heng had long since concluded that they were all dead and believed all this property belonged to him, why had he been maintaining these fake accounts all this time?

It was such a hassle; what was he gaining from it?

(End of Chapter)