TMBIABHL: Chapter 26
Glossary
·Ye Chutang: Female Protagonist. Heir to an ancient medical family. "Black-Hearted Lotus." Runs a clinic in Jiangling.
·Yang Zhen: The Magistrate of Jiangling county.
·Liu Liyi: Magistrate Yang's concubine. Cao Deping's cousin.
·Auntie Yang: Neighbor of the Ye family.
·Zhou Shi: Auntie Yang's niece. Wife of Liu Si.
·Liu Si: Servant in the Cao household. The confessed murderer.
·Little Five / Xiao Wu: Youngest sister. ~4 years old. Non-verbal but expressive.
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Chapter 26: Orphans
Liu Liyi was startled, knowing how serious his words were, and quickly said, "I would never dare think such a thing!"
Yang Zhen took a deep breath, but his voice still carried unconcealed anger. "I've been the Magistrate of Jiangling for far too many years. Now, I finally have a chance for promotion. If my performance is good enough, moving up is within sight! All I wanted was to settle these matters quickly, and what do you do? Make sure the commotion isn't big enough!"
Hearing this, Liu Liyi panicked.
"This… I truly didn't know! I only wanted to teach her a lesson. Who knew she… she would be so resourceful!"
Yang Zhen's frown deepened.
Her statement proved she already knew what had happened. She hadn't left the house today, yet she was clearly aware of the situation outside.
Admittedly, this was also because he had been too indulgent with her before. If he hadn't spoiled her so much, the subordinates wouldn't have obeyed and flattered her so readily, enabling her to dare do anything and grow bolder by the day.
Yang Zhen felt a twinge of regret. If he had known, he shouldn't have agreed to let her interfere in the feud between the Cao and Ye families!
"Do you think a woman who can run a clinic alone in Jiangling is some simple character?" Yang Zhen recalled the young woman he saw during the day and snorted. "Cao Deping wants to bring her down? He overestimates himself far too much!"
Liu Liyi didn't want to hear this.
Cao Deping was her cousin, who had always taken great care of her. Their bond was almost as strong as that of biological siblings.
Ever since she entered the Magistrate's residence, to prevent people from gossiping that she used the Magistrate's power for her family's benefit, her cousin had proactively reduced contact with her.
This was the first time he had asked for her help, so she agreed without a second thought.
And now, not only had they failed to bring the woman down, she was the one getting scolded.
Hearing Yang Zhen's undisguised disdain and contempt for her cousin in his words made her feel even more uncomfortable.
Yang Zhen had always looked down on merchants like Cao Deping, reeking of copper, fearing that too much association would damage his reputation. Now, just for asking a small favor, he showed such disgust.
Put simply, he had never taken her family seriously.
And from his tone, it sounded like he actually thought highly of Ye Chutang.
Liu Liyi's hands unconsciously clenched inside her sleeves.
That Ye Chutang—she had caught a distant glimpse of her today. Though from afar, it was enough to see that lovely face.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
While Yang Zhen doted on her, she was no longer a girl of sixteen. She only had one daughter to rely on. After all these years, she still hadn't been elevated to the position of primary wife.
She wasn't without her worries.
Yang Zhen rarely praised anyone. Yet now, he spoke of Ye Chutang with such regard. How could Liu Liyi not feel displeased?
"So, Your Honor means to let this matter drop just like that?" Liu Liyi asked, unwilling to concede. "Don't forget, it was her who incited Zhou Shi to publicly accuse Chengwen! If she hadn't deliberately stirred up trouble, none of the messy business afterward would have happened!"
Yang Zhen scoffed. "Zhou Shi's words weren't entirely groundless. While there's no concrete evidence, many of her claims actually align with Cao Chengwen's actions—"
"But without evidence, her words are one-sided! How can they be believed!"
Liu Liyi turned away, taking out a handkerchief to dab the corner of her eye, her voice trembling. "It seems you'd rather trust an outsider than believe me!"
Though no longer a young maiden, she had lived a life of comfort and possessed a certain charm. Coupled with her cunning and methods, she had enjoyed Yang Zhen's deep affection all these years.
Whenever she wanted something, a little softness and coyness would make Yang Zhen yield.
But this time, unexpectedly, Yang Zhen's attitude was very firm.
He said coldly, "In any case, this matter ends here! I will deal with those two individuals. You stay quietly at the residence. Furthermore, you are to have no further contact with Cao Deping!"
Liu Liyi's beautiful eyes widened. "What?"
Yang Zhen seemed not to notice her reddened eyes. "Reflect on your actions!"
With that, he turned and strode away.
Only after his figure disappeared did Liu Liyi come to her senses: This was the first time he had remained unmoved seeing her cry.
The trace of disgust in his eyes before he left felt like a sharp knife stabbing her heart.
Liu Liyi's legs gave way, and she collapsed weakly into a chair, her spirit in disarray.
How could this be?
He clearly doted on her the most! Even if she made a small mistake this time, she had already lowered her head! Why was he reacting so strongly!
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
…
The Ye Clinic reopened, but far fewer patients came seeking treatment.
The place was deserted.
Auntie Yang came to visit. Seeing the empty clinic, she felt very upset.
"Physician Ye, don't worry. It's surely because the clinic had some trouble recently, so folks are hesitant to come. Once this period passes, it'll be fine. Your skills are so excellent; people will definitely come back to see you!"
Ye Chutang's lips curved slightly. "Then I'll borrow your auspicious words."
In truth, this was just consolation. Although the clinic's name had been cleared, the herb shops still refused to sell to her. Moreover, after all these events, who couldn't see that the Ye Clinic was being targeted?
The Cao family was not someone anyone could afford to offend.
If they couldn't dirty the Ye family's name, then cutting off their livelihood, making it impossible for them to continue living in Jiangling, could also force them to leave.
Auntie Yang glanced around before lowering her voice. "But, Physician Ye, they say the arm can't twist the thigh. Maybe… maybe you should take the initiative and apologize to the Cao family!"
She sighed. "Xiao Yun went to the yamen, but what difference did it make? Her word alone, who would believe it? I heard Liu Si has already confessed and will be publicly executed in three days."
Ye Chutang stopped writing.
Liu Si indeed couldn't escape this end, as he was the one who secretly put the river shrimp into Cao Chengwu's late-night meal.
As for the true mastermind behind it, he remained free.
Zhou Shi risked everything to accuse Cao Chengwen at the yamen, yet it changed nothing.
"She came to take the child this morning. You didn't see her state—she's lost so much weight, seemed utterly lost. I asked for a long time, and she just cried, saying Liu Si had been sentenced, that the child would have no father from now on, and couldn't afford to lose its mother too—"
Auntie Yang sighed heavily. "Ah, that child's fate is so bitter! Still so young. What will happen if they truly become an orphan?"
Hearing this, Ye Chutang suddenly sensed something and looked up to see Little Five standing in the doorway.
(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)
Auntie Yang quickly stopped talking, her expression awkward.
—How could she have forgotten? The Ye siblings before her had lost their parents early!
Her words were practically picking at their old wounds!
(End of Chapter)
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