Chapter 57: The Gathering Storm

Ye Chutang raised her eyebrows slightly. "Mingze, why do you say such a thing?"

Ye Mingze stared at her indignantly. "You still won't admit it? If it wasn't you, then who could it be?! You've clearly harbored resentment toward my mother for a long time, and you took this opportunity today to destroy her face!"

Instead of showing any anger, Ye Chutang simply shook her head gently.

"Mingze, I can understand your concern for your second aunt, but this matter truly has nothing to do with me. You say I harbor resentment toward her, but I have only been back in the capital for a few days. Where would such hatred come from?"

"It's because of you—" Ye Mingze stopped mid-sentence, only then noticing Shen Yanchuan standing nearby, the rest of his words catching in his throat.

He had originally wanted to say that Ye Chutang must have acted out of spite for Xiao Wu, but such words were absolutely forbidden to be spoken in front of an outsider!

He gritted his teeth. "Anyway... anyway, the most likely person is you!"

Ye Chutang countered, "Oh? Since you are so certain, then—where is the evidence?"

Ye Mingze choked.

He was merely guessing; where would he get evidence?

Ye Chutang thought for a moment and said, "If you still feel this way, then why don't we report this to the officials directly and have someone investigate to find the truth? Since the Heir is also here to witness, if it is eventually found that I truly did this, I will accept any consequence. But if it wasn't me..."

At this point, Ye Chutang's expression cooled, her gaze becoming piercingly clear.

"Then I will ask you to apologize to me publicly and admit that your previous words were nothing but slander."

As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, Ye Mingze shuddered and finally regained his senses.

"No!"

He had just seen his mother's face—it was covered in red rashes and scratch marks, looking quite terrifying.

If word got out, it wouldn't be good for anyone.

After all, his father had just been promoted to the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review...

"Mingze!"

A sharp shout rang out as Ye Heng, having heard the commotion, rushed over.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

He hurriedly cupped his hands toward Shen Yanchuan. "Please excuse my son, Heir. He was too worried about his mother and spoke nonsense in a moment of impulse. Please do not take it to heart."

Regardless of whether Ye Chutang was involved, making such fierce accusations in front of Shen Yanchuan without any evidence was a massive insult to the Heir's dignity!

After all, just moments ago, he had admitted in front of so many people that he owed Ye Chutang a favor!

Shen Yanchuan smiled faintly. "It is natural for a young gentleman to be concerned, but when it comes to reputation, one cannot make accusations out of thin air without reason. Especially since Lord Ye now holds a high position, you should be more cautious with your words and actions, wouldn't you agree?"

Ye Heng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and repeated, "Yes, yes! You are right!"

Shen Yanchuan brushed off his clothes.

"No need to see me out."

...

The Ye residence was destined for a restless night.

Ye Mingze was dragged back to his room by his ear by Ye Heng, who ordered him not to go out and spout nonsense again.

As for Lady Gao, she stayed in her room, smashing every mirror in sight in a fit of madness, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

Ye Shixian accompanied her for a while before going to the small kitchen to help brew her medicine.

Ye Heng's mind was a mess, and not wanting to deal with these matters, he simply went to the study.

"Investigate! Find out exactly where the problem lies!"

Thinking of Lady Gao's terrifying appearance made Ye Heng's spine go cold, so he sent Yu Hong to investigate.

But while it sounded simple, it was extremely difficult in practice.

Because—they didn't even know what kind of poison had caused Lady Gao to end up this way!

Imperial Physician Zhang had given an ambiguous answer. Ye Heng wanted to invite someone else to take a look, but he feared the matter would spread and cause the Ye family to lose face. After much deliberation, he decided to let Lady Gao take the medicine according to the prescription left by Physician Zhang for now.

He had invested so much time and energy into today's banquet, only for it to be ruined like this!

In his heart, he also suspected Ye Chutang, but since she was acquainted with the Heir of the Marquis of Dingbei, he certainly couldn't treat her as casually as before.

Finally, he came up with a plan—invite Ye Chutang to help examine Lady Gao.

If she really did it, she would surely feel guilty!

...

Meanwhile, Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu back to her room and brought her a plate of pear pastries.

The child had only eaten half of her meal and was still hungry.

"Eat this to tide you over. I'll have your fourth brother bring you two more dishes in a bit."

Ye Yunfeng took the order and scurried off.

After returning to the Ye residence, they had been cooking in a separate kitchen every day since the first day.

At first, Lady Gao had made a show of saying she would assign them dedicated servants and maids, but Ye Chutang had politely declined, requesting only the rough laborers and older female servants responsible for cleaning.

Lady Gao was naturally happy to save the trouble.

Xiao Wu did not eat the pear pastries immediately. Instead, she pulled the pouch given by Shen Yanchuan from her bosom and ran excitedly to the drawer. She emptied everything from her old pouch, counted each item, and placed them neatly into the new one.

Seeing this, Ye Chutang's gaze shifted toward the carved rosewood box that she had casually set on the table upon her return.

The Heir of the Marquis of Dingbei had deep resources; even the gift box was quite exquisite.

This single box alone was worth a fortune; she wondered what was inside—

Ye Chutang walked over. The box was not locked, and she opened it with a light flick of her finger.

Inside was a scroll.

"Sister, what did he send?" Ye Jingyan also looked over.

Ye Chutang took the item out and slowly unfurled it.

"A painting."

To be precise, it was a landscape painting.

Towering mountains and rushing rivers, with a perfect balance of thick and light ink, it was serene, distant, and vast.

When Ye Jingyan saw the signature, he was shocked. "Is this... an original by Grand Scholar Chen Songshi?!"

Chen Songshi was a Grand Secretary of the current imperial cabinet, a man of immense learning and a master of painting whose works were nearly impossible to obtain.

This painting was likely worth more than its weight in gold.

Ye Chutang turned her head to look at him. "Do you like it?"

Ye Jingyan's gaze lingered on the painting for a moment before he nodded sheepishly.

An ordinary person might never even get a chance to see an original by Chen Songshi, yet here they were, holding one!

Perhaps only the Heir of the Marquis of Dingbei could afford to give such a heavy gift with a single gesture.

Ye Chutang handed the painting to Ye Jingyan. "If you like it, take it."

Ye Jingyan froze. "But, Sister—"

"Regardless, this painting cannot be resold. It would only collect dust in my room; it's better to give it to you."

Ye Jingyan truly loved the painting and ultimately accepted it.

"Thank you, Sister."

Ye Chutang looked Ye Jingyan up and down and suddenly asked, "A-Yan, have you grown taller again?"

Two months ago, A-Yan was only slightly taller than her, but now she actually had to look up to see him.

Ye Jingyan stretched his arms. "It seems so."

His clothes were getting a bit small.

"I'll go buy some new clothes for you and A-Feng in a bit." Ye Chutang glanced at the sky outside; the grey-blue clouds were gathering, carrying a heavy, humid atmosphere. "It might rain tonight. Go and bring in everything from the courtyard."