Chapter 11: Teach Him a Lesson

The shrill, piercing scream was like a sharp blade, instantly tearing through everything. The entire street fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, unable to believe their ears.

Just now—what did that woman just say?

She said that Liu Si killing the Cao family’s second young master was actually instigated by the eldest young master of the Cao family!?

The crowd began to stir.

"Heavens! Is what she just said true or false?"

"Haven't the Cao brothers always been extremely close? Why would the eldest deal such a lethal blow to the second?!"

"Exactly! I see them coming and going together all the time; they’re blood brothers!"

Someone clicked their tongue, their tone strange.

"Blood brothers? Half-brothers, that’s not worth a damn!"

This remark instantly reminded everyone present, and they couldn't help but exchange glances.

That’s right! How could they have forgotten that!?

But...

"They grew up together after all, surely he wouldn't be that heartless?"

Someone quickly retorted, "That’s hard to say! I heard Boss Cao is very partial to the second son and even wanted to pass the family business to him. How could the eldest not be anxious?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

Cao Chengwen’s face turned ghastly.

He flew into a rage out of shame. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting!"

He never imagined that this woman would actually say such things in front of so many people!

But how could she know about this!? He had clearly given Liu Si strict instructions beforehand that not a single word was to be leaked!

That Liu Si! He should have been dealt with sooner!

Listening to the surrounding chatter and the various gazes cast his way, Cao Chengwen’s heart hammered against his ribs, threatening to leap out of his chest.

"You vile woman! Don't you dare slander me!"

Having already cast all caution to the wind, Madam Zhou was not about to be intimidated by him. Seeing Cao Chengwen’s desperate attempt to silence Liu Si, her emotions surged. Without a second thought, she retorted, "I am not spouting nonsense!"

She looked toward Wu Xu and the others, knelt down with a thud, and pointed to the sky, swearing a venomous oath: "Officers! I dare to swear here: if there is half a word of falsehood in what I have said, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!"

Seeing that she was about to continue, Cao Chengwen quickly stepped forward and kicked her viciously in the shoulder.

"Open your eyes and see where you are! How dare you spout such drivel! Liu Si killed my brother; it is only natural that he pays with his life!"

Seeing him about to strike again, Wu Xu immediately stepped forward to block him.

Facing the men from the yamen, Cao Chengwen had no choice but to stop, his eyelids twitching rapidly.

"Officer Wu, she’s insane! You can’t believe a word a madwoman says, can you?"

Wu Xu said in a deep voice, "Whether what she says is true or false, we will investigate it ourselves."

Cao Chengwen’s heart sank.

By the sound of it, they really intended to keep investigating?

If this vile woman were just babbling, it would be one thing, but if she actually produced some evidence, then...

His mouth went dry, and he said hurriedly, "Officer Wu, this is clearly her deliberately framing me! I am innocent! Chengwu is my own brother! How could I harm him! I really—"

Before he could finish, he met the officer's gaze and swallowed the rest of his words.

He had lost his composure.

Wu Xu lifted his head and commanded, "Take her back to the yamen!"

Cao Chengwen clenched his fists.

However, things had reached this point; if he continued to make a scene, it would only make him look guilty.

Wu Xu said, "Young Master Cao, do not worry. If she is truly slandering you, we will certainly clear your name."

Knowing there was no turning back, Cao Chengwen endured and endured, finally gritting his teeth and saying, "Then... thank you!"

Madam Zhou was quickly taken away. After walking a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and turned back abruptly to look at Ye Chutang, her eyes filled with tears.

"Dr. Ye, that child of mine..."

Ye Chutang nodded gently. "I will pass the message to Auntie Yang."

Madam Zhou smiled palely and mouthed: *Thank you.*

The farce ended just like that.

Watching the figures disappear into the yamen, Ye Chutang held her umbrella and turned to leave.

However, she had only walked a few steps when she was blocked by Cao Chengwen.

He stood a step away from Ye Chutang, his face gloomy, grinding his teeth as he spoke.

"It was you who deliberately instigated her to frame me, wasn't it!?"

Ye Chutang blinked gently, looking quite curious. "Why would Young Master Cao say such a thing?"

Cao Chengwen sneered, stepped forward, and lowered his voice to press her. "What conditions did you promise her to make her so reckless? To the point where she doesn't even care about her own life?"

It must be that Ye Chutang held a grudge because they had initially tried to pin the blame on Ye Yunfeng, and she was deliberately retaliating!

He had seen it clearly just now—that vile woman had looked back only at Ye Chutang!

There must be some unspeakable deal between them!

Ye Chutang’s lips curled slightly. "Why is Young Master Cao reacting so strongly? If she is making a false accusation, it will be easy to investigate and clear your name."

Cao Chengwen’s expression stiffened; for a moment, he couldn't find a response.

The young girl’s eyes were clear, dark, and gentle, appearing completely harmless, yet for some reason, he didn't dare to look directly into them at this moment.

As if he were afraid of being seen through.

Ye Chutang said lightly, "Also, Young Master Cao, you should be careful with your words when you have no evidence; after all, disaster comes from the mouth. By the way, Boss Cao will be back soon, won't he? Having suddenly lost his beloved son, I wonder how heartbroken he will be. I also hope they can find the truth soon; otherwise, if rumors of brothers killing each other reach Boss Cao’s ears, he will surely be even more devastated, don't you think?"

A chill shot up Cao Chengwen’s spine!

Could it be... could it be that Ye Chutang knows something!?

"You—"

Ye Chutang didn't give him another chance to speak; she nodded slightly and turned to leave.

...

Auntie Yang went to Liu Si’s house and brought the child home.

With neither father nor mother by his side, the child cried for a long time.

Listening to the crying finally fading in the neighboring courtyard, Ye Jingyan put down his book and asked, "Elder Sister, why did you help them? When that Liu Si was working for Cao Chengwen, he wanted to drive us to our deaths."

If it weren't for his sister’s intelligence, it would be A-Feng waiting to die in prison right now.

"Even when taking revenge, one must target the right enemy." Ye Chutang glanced outside and said casually, "Besides, A-Feng has a rash temper; he needs to learn a lesson."

It saves him from always fighting and causing trouble outside; it’s exhausting just thinking about it.

Ye Jingyan: "..."

He suddenly felt that Cao Chengwen was a bit unlucky.

After working so hard for so long and putting in so much effort, he was nothing more than a feather duster that his sister used in passing to discipline A-Feng...

The rain had lightened, but it continued incessantly.

Ye Chutang closed her umbrella, catching a glimpse of mud splatters on her shoes.

She entered the inner room, where another pair of dirty shoes sat under the bed.

Overnight, the mud on them had half-dried.

She changed into clean clothes and shoes, and remembering that Shen Yanchuan’s medicine for today hadn't been brewed yet, she went to the pharmacy.

The small stove bubbled, and the bitter scent of medicine drifted into the damp air.

...

Hearing footsteps in the courtyard, Shen Yanchuan looked up, and the slender figure of the young girl came into view.

He raised an eyebrow, a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips.

"You certainly go through a lot of dresses."