Chapter 26: Orphan

Liu Yiyi was startled, knowing how serious these words were, and hurriedly said, "I could never have such intentions!"

Yang Zhen took a deep breath, his voice still carrying an unsuppressed anger: "I have been the Magistrate of Jiangling for too many years. Now that I have finally encountered an opportunity for promotion, as long as I perform well enough, moving up one step is just around the corner! I originally intended to settle this matter as quickly as possible, but you—you were so afraid it wouldn't cause enough of a stir!"

Hearing him say this, Liu Yiyi felt a surge of panic in her heart.

"This... this... I truly didn't know! I only thought of giving her a little lesson; who knew she... she would be so calculating!"

Yang Zhen's brow furrowed even deeper.

Liu Yiyi's words made it clear that she already knew what had happened. Although she had not left the house today, she was clearly aware of the situation outside.

To be sure, this was also because he had been too indulgent with her in the past. If he had not pampered her so much, the subordinates would not have obeyed her every word and sought to please her so blindly, allowing her to do whatever she pleased and grow increasingly bold.

Yang Zhen felt a pang of regret. Had he known it would come to this, he should never have agreed to let her interfere in the feud between the Cao and Ye families!

"Do you think a woman who can single-handedly sustain a medical clinic in Jiangling is a simple person?" Yang Zhen recalled the sight of the woman from earlier and couldn't help but snort, "Cao Deping thinks he can take her down? He is truly overestimating himself!"

These words were more than Liu Yiyi wanted to hear.

Cao Deping was her cousin; he looked after her immensely, and the two shared a close bond, almost like biological siblings.

Ever since she had come to the Magistrate's manor, in order to prevent others from gossiping behind her back about her using the Magistrate's power to benefit her own family, her cousin had proactively reduced his contact with her.

This was the first time he had asked for her help, so she had agreed without a second thought.

In the end, not only was the person not taken down, but she had instead received a lecture.

Hearing the undisguised disdain and contempt in Yang Zhen's voice toward her cousin, the feeling of discomfort in her heart grew even stronger.

Yang Zhen had always looked down on merchants like Cao Deping, who were covered in the stench of money, fearing that too much association with them would damage his reputation. Now, she had merely asked him for a favor, and he was acting this contemptuous.

To put it bluntly, he had never truly respected her family.

Furthermore, from his tone, it sounded as if he actually thought Ye Chutang was quite formidable.

Liu Yiyi's hand clenched instinctively inside her sleeve.

She had caught a glimpse of that Ye Chutang from a distance today. Although there was some space between them, it was enough for her to see that elegant, refined face.

Although Yang Zhen had always pampered her, she was no longer a young girl in her prime, and she had only a single daughter to her name. After enduring all these years, she had still not been able to wait for Yang Zhen to officially elevate her status.

She was not without worry.

Yang Zhen rarely praised anyone, yet now that he mentioned Ye Chutang, he held her in such high regard. How could Liu Yiyi not feel resentful?

"Then, does your lordship mean this matter should just be dropped?" Liu Yiyi felt unwilling to let it go. "Don't forget, it was she who instigated Lady Zhou to publicly accuse Chengwen! If she hadn't deliberately caused trouble, there wouldn't have been all this subsequent chaos!"

Yang Zhen sneered, "Lady Zhou's words were not entirely without basis. Although there is no conclusive evidence, many of her claims actually align with Cao Chengwen's—"

"But there is no evidence! Everything she said is one-sided; how can it be believed!"

Liu Yiyi turned her body away, pulled out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes, and said with a sob in her voice, "It seems you would rather believe others than believe me!"

Although she was no longer a young girl, her life of luxury had given her a unique charm, and combined with her little schemes and tricks, she had enjoyed Yang Zhen's deep affection for many years.

Whenever she wanted something, as long as she softened her stance and acted coquettishly, Yang Zhen would indulge her.

But this time, unexpectedly, Yang Zhen's attitude was extremely firm.

He said coldly, "This matter ends here! I will deal with those two, and you are to stay obediently in the manor. Furthermore, you are not allowed to have any further contact with Cao Deping!"

Liu Yiyi's beautiful eyes widened. "What?"

Yang Zhen acted as if he hadn't seen her reddened eyes. "Reflect on your actions!"

With that, he turned and swept out of the room.

It wasn't until his figure had disappeared that Liu Yiyi snapped back to reality: this was the first time he had seen her cry and remained unmoved.

The flash of disgust in his eyes before he left felt more like a sharp knife piercing her heart.

Liu Yiyi's legs went weak, and she slumped helplessly into her chair, her mind in a daze.

How could this be?

He had always pampered her most. Even if she had made a small mistake this time, she had already bowed her head! Why was his reaction so extreme!

...

The Ye Family Medical Clinic had reopened, but the number of people coming for consultations had decreased significantly.

The place was deserted.

When Auntie Yang came to visit and saw the desolate clinic, she felt a heavy heart.

"Doctor Ye, don't worry. It must be because the clinic has run into trouble a few times recently, so people are hesitant to come. It will get better after this period passes. Your medical skills are so excellent; everyone will surely come to see you again!"

The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curled slightly. "Then I shall take your good words to heart."

In truth, these words were merely for comfort. Although the clinic's suspicions had been cleared, the pharmacies still refused to sell medicinal ingredients to her. Moreover, after experiencing all this, who couldn't see that the Ye Family Medical Clinic was being targeted?

The Cao family was not someone anyone could afford to offend.

If they couldn't smear them with mud, then cutting off their livelihood and making it impossible for them to continue living in Jiangling would achieve the same result of driving them away.

Auntie Yang looked left and right before whispering, "However, Doctor Ye, they say an arm cannot twist a thigh. Perhaps... perhaps you should take the initiative to bow your head to the Cao family!"

She sighed. "Xiao Yun went to the yamen as well, but so what? Who can believe the word of just one person? I heard Liu Si has confessed and will be executed in three days."

Ye Chutang stopped her writing.

Liu Si had indeed failed to escape this fate; after all, it was indeed he who had secretly put the river shrimp meat into Cao Chengwu's midnight snack.

As for the true mastermind behind the scenes, they remained at large.

Even though Lady Zhou had risked everything to go to the yamen to accuse Cao Chengwen, it still changed nothing.

"She came to pick up the child this morning. You didn't see her state—she has lost so much weight and looks completely dazed. I asked her for a long time, and she only cried and told me that Liu Si had been sentenced, and that the child would have no father, and could not afford to lose a mother as well—"

Auntie Yang sighed heavily. "Sigh, that child has such a hard life! So young, what will happen if they truly become an orphan?"

Hearing this, Ye Chutang had a sudden realization and looked up to see Xiao Wu standing at the door.

Auntie Yang quickly cut herself off, looking embarrassed.

—How could she have forgotten? The Ye siblings before her had lost their parents long ago!

Her words were essentially rubbing their wounds!

(End of Chapter)