Chapter 63: The Ledger (First Update)

Ye Heng nodded, a look of deep concern appearing on his face. "Indeed. I recall you are seventeen this year, aren't you? You are at the age where marriage discussions can begin. In the past, you were displaced and suffered much hardship. Now that you have finally returned to the capital, your Second Uncle must naturally exercise due diligence and select a fine marriage alliance for you!"

In his tone and manner, he truly acted as if he were an elder with legitimate authority over her affairs.

Ye Chutang, however, maintained a calm expression, showing none of the usual maidenly shyness one might expect when discussing marriage.

"Second Uncle, I have never thought about such a thing."

Ye Heng froze. "What?"

The corners of Ye Chutang's lips curled slightly, but her eyes remained clear and piercing.

"Over the past few years, having raised A-Yan, A-Feng, and Xiao Wu, I have become well-acquainted with the fickleness of human nature. Now that I have finally returned, I have only one thought in my heart: to raise them well. Beyond that, I have no other desires."

Hearing that her tone was not a joke, Ye Heng grew anxious. "But... but you are a woman! How can you not marry? I have already begun looking for candidates these past few days, intending only to pick the best for you. You—"

Ye Chutang paused and said, "I thank you for your kindness, Second Uncle, but I am well aware of my own situation. Given my experiences abroad over the past three years, I fear many people will harbor prejudices. Rather than compromising myself to please others, I would rather live freely on my own."

"You—"

Ye Heng never imagined Ye Chutang would say such things. She actually had no intention of marrying!?

Does that mean she intends to rely on the Ye family for the rest of her life!

Ye Heng took a deep breath, attempting to persuade her with all his might. "Chutang, your parents are no longer with us, so your Second Uncle has no choice but to worry about this for you. Otherwise, how could I face them in the future? If they knew from below, they would be uneasy seeing you without any support!"

Ye Chutang merely smiled.

"Second Uncle, you are mistaken. My parents loved me most of all; their only wish was for my health and safety. How could they be unhappy over something like this?"

Ye Heng was choked for words. Looking at the young girl before him, he felt momentarily dazed.

In his memory, this niece of his had been frail since childhood, with a soft and quiet temperament—almost like a clay figure that could be molded by anyone.

But after three years of absence, how had she seemingly become a different person?

When she spoke these words, her smile was faint and her manner gentle and elegant, yet not a single word contained an ounce of concession.

It was like a sword hidden in its sheath, ready to reveal its sharp, bright blade against one's throat at any moment!

With one hand behind his back, Ye Heng paced back and forth, his expression troubled. "But... but this..."

For a moment, he simply did not know how to respond.

Ye Chutang said, "Since Father, Mother, and Elder Brother are gone, it is only natural that I, as their elder sister, must shoulder the responsibility. A-Yan and A-Feng will soon be attending the Imperial Academy. There will be many expenses in the future, and they cannot come to find you every single time. Don't you agree?"

Ye Heng's expression shifted abruptly.

"This... Chutang, there is something I haven't had the chance to tell you. I am afraid A-Yan and A-Feng cannot go to the Imperial Academy for the time being."

Ye Chutang paused, her long lashes lifting slightly. "Why?"

Ye Heng said with difficulty, "You might not be fully aware. It was on the journey to his place of exile that your eldest brother met with his misfortune. At that time, he inadvertently offended the Emperor, and many people avoided him. Three years have passed, and since your brother is gone, it will be quite difficult for A-Yan and A-Feng to enter the Imperial Academy."

He was speaking quite plainly: Ye Zheng was dead, and Ye Chutang and her siblings were now orphans without support. Furthermore, because Ye Zheng had been exiled for offending the Emperor, the situation was even more complicated.

No one would be willing to take the risk of helping them.

Who knew if this matter would be used against them later?

Ye Heng sighed. "Though I have tried my best to advocate for them, my abilities are limited. I am afraid..."

The position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was neither large nor small.

In other places, it might allow one to wield power and prestige, but this was the capital. As a fourth-rank official, he ultimately had to watch people's expressions.

Ye Chutang lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Ye Heng hurriedly added, "But don't worry! Even if they truly cannot enter the Imperial Academy, they can go to other academies!"

No matter how good another academy was, how could it be compared to the Imperial Academy?

He was simply trying to avoid the matter of A-Yan and A-Feng entering the Imperial Academy through the proper channels.

Ye Chutang pondered for a long while before finally saying, "In that case, we cannot force it."

Ye Heng felt a surge of joy, but in the next moment, Ye Chutang continued, "If they cannot enter the Imperial Academy, then I must consider A-Yan and A-Feng's future even more carefully. I wish to see the account books for those shops from the past few years, as well as the records of income from the land leases, so that I can plan ahead for them. What do you think, Second Uncle?"

Ye Heng's face froze.

...

In mid-May, the weather in the capital had gradually become hot.

As noon approached, the sun was fierce, and the rooms were stiflingly muggy.

Ye Yunfeng had set up a small bamboo bed in the courtyard and spread out a mat. The shade of the trees blocked most of the sunlight, casting a cool respite.

Xiao Wu lay on the bamboo bed, having drifted into a daze of sleep.

Ye Jingyan sat nearby, reading a book while fanning Xiao Wu.

This was the scene Ye Chutang saw when she returned.

Ye Yunfeng was the first to see her. "Sister! You're back—huh? What are those?"

Two servants followed behind Ye Chutang, each carrying a wooden box that looked quite heavy.

Hearing his voice, Ye Jingyan also looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Ye Chutang directed the servants to bring the wooden boxes into the room. Once they had left, she explained, "These are the account books for the shops Father and Mother left behind, as well as the income and expenditure records for the land leases."

As if hearing them speak, Xiao Wu, who had been sleeping soundly, let out a small whimper. She rubbed her chubby little hands against her eyes and woke up.

She rolled over to sit up, her face flushed from sleep. As soon as she saw Ye Chutang, her eyes were not yet fully open, but she reached out her two small arms for a hug.

Ye Chutang leaned down and pulled her into her arms—a soft, tiny bundle.

Xiao Wu clung to her neck, nuzzling affectionately against her skin.

Ye Jingyan's brow furrowed slightly. "Account books? Not the land deeds?"

Ye Chutang tidied Xiao Wu's messy hair and smiled faintly. "Once something has been swallowed, how easy is it to spit it back out?"

Ye Yunfeng was stunned, finding it almost unbelievable. "What do you mean? Sister, you went to ask for them personally, and he actually refused!?"

Those things belonged to them in the first place!

Ye Chutang had actually anticipated this, so her visit today was not for the land deeds at all.

If Ye Heng had any self-awareness, he would not have occupied their house for so long without returning it, nor would he have failed to even mention it.

It was as if everything could be brushed aside with the excuse that "A-Yan and A-Feng are still young."

"It doesn't matter. Once we go through the account books in a moment, we will know exactly where we stand before we act."

Just as she finished speaking, a small head poked out, and large, grape-like eyes looked at her brightly.