TMBIABHL: Chapter 57

 Glossary

·Ye Chutang (叶初棠): The female protagonist, the Second Miss of the Ye family.

·Ye Mingze (叶明泽): Ye Heng's son.

·Shen Yanchuan (沈延川): The male lead, Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei.

·Ye Heng (叶恆): Ye Chutang's second uncle, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

·Little Five / Xiao Wu (小五): Ye Chutang's youngest sister.

·Ye Yunfeng (叶云风): Ye Chutang's fourth brother.

·Ye Jingyan (叶璟言): Ye Chutang's third brother.

·Lady Gao (高氏): Ye Heng's wife.

·Yu Hong (于洪): The steward of the Ye residence.

---

Chapter 57: The Storm Gathers

Ye Chutang's eyebrow lifted slightly. "What makes you say that, Mingze?"

Ye Mingze glared at her resentfully. "You still won't admit it? If it wasn't you, then who!? You clearly held a grudge against my mother long ago and seized the chance today to ruin her face!"

Far from showing any anger, Ye Chutang gently shook her head.

"Mingze, I can understand your worry for Second Aunt, but this truly has nothing to do with me. You say I held a grudge against her, but I've only been back in the capital for a few days. Where would such hatred come from?"

"It's all because you—" Ye Mingze's words cut off halfway as he finally noticed Shen Yanchuan standing to the side, the rest of his sentence choking in his throat.

He had been about to say Ye Chutang must have done it to get revenge for Little Five, but such words absolutely could not be spoken in front of an outsider!

He gritted his teeth. "Anyway... anyway you're the most likely one!"

Ye Chutang countered, "Oh? Since you're so certain, then—where is your evidence?"

Ye Mingze was stumped.

It was just speculation; where would he get evidence?

Ye Chutang thought for a moment. "If you still believe this, then perhaps we should report it to the authorities and have them investigate to get to the bottom of it. The heir happens to be here as well and can bear witness. If the investigation concludes that I really did it, then I will accept any consequence. But if not..."

At this, Ye Chutang's expression cooled slightly, her eyes clear and sharp.

"...then I must trouble you to apologize to me publicly and admit that your previous words were slander."

It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head. Ye Mingze shivered, finally coming to his senses.

"No!"

He had also seen his mother's face—covered in red rashes and crisscrossed with scratches, utterly horrifying.

If this spread, it would not be good news no matter what.

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

"Mingze!"

A stern shout came—it was Ye Heng, who had hurried over upon hearing the commotion.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

He quickly cupped his hands toward Shen Yanchuan. "Please forgive the laughter, Heir. My foolish son is overly worried about his mother and spoke rashly in the moment. Please don't take it to heart."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Regardless of whether this matter was related to Ye Chutang, to fiercely accuse her without a shred of evidence in front of Shen Yanchuan—where did that leave Shen Yanchuan's dignity!

After all, he had just declared in front of so many people that he was indebted to Ye Chutang!

Shen Yanchuan offered a faint smile. "Your son's concern is understandable, but matters of reputation cannot be baselessly assigned without cause or evidence. Especially now that Lord Ye holds a high position, one must be even more careful with words and actions. Don't you agree?"

Ye Heng wiped cold sweat from his forehead, agreeing repeatedly. "Yes, yes! You are absolutely right!"

Shen Yanchuan brushed off his sleeves.

"There's 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 and ordered not to go out spouting nonsense again.

As for Lady Gao, she remained in her room, frantically smashing every mirror to pieces, crying until her eyes were swollen.

Ye Shixian stayed with her for a while before going to the small kitchen to decoct her medicine.

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

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

Remembering Lady Gao's horrifying appearance sent chills down Ye Heng's spine, so he sent Yu Hong to investigate.

But saying it was simple; doing it was extremely difficult.

Because—they didn't even know what poison had caused Lady Gao to become like this!

Physician Zhang had given an ambiguous answer. Ye Heng considered inviting another physician but feared it would publicize the matter and shame the Ye family. After much thought, he had Lady Gao take the medicine according to the prescription Physician Zhang left first.

For today's banquet, he had invested who knew how much time and energy, and to think it was ruined just like that!

In his heart, he also suspected Ye Chutang, but since Ye Chutang was acquainted with the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei, she definitely could no longer be treated as casually as before.

Finally, he thought of a solution—have Ye Chutang examine Lady Gao.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

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

……

Meanwhile, Ye Chutang took Little Five back to their room and brought her a plate of snow pear pastry.

The meal had only been half-eaten; the child was still hungry.

"Have this to tide you over. I'll have your fourth brother get a couple more proper dishes for you later."

Ye Yunfeng accepted the order and went off briskly.

After returning to the Ye residence, apart from the first day, they had been cooking their own meals separately ever since.

Initially, Lady Gao had put on a show of assigning them dedicated servants and maids, but Ye Chutang politely declined, only keeping the low-ranking maids and serving women responsible for cleaning.

Lady Gao was naturally happy to save the trouble.

Little Five, however, didn't immediately go for the pastry. Instead, she pulled out the sachet Shen Yanchuan had given her from her embrace, excitedly ran to a drawer, took out the contents of her old pouch, carefully counted each item, and neatly placed them all into the new one.

Seeing this, Ye Chutang's gaze shifted to the carved nanmu wood box that she had casually set aside on the table after returning.

The Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei had profound resources; even this gift box was exquisitely crafted.

This box alone was of considerable value, who knew what was inside—

Ye Chutang walked over. The box wasn't locked; a light flick of her finger opened it.

Inside was a scroll.

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

Ye Chutang took the object out and slowly unrolled it.

"A painting."

To be precise, it was a landscape painting.

Towering mountains, rushing rivers, with skilled use of light and heavy ink, conveying a feeling of serene vastness.

Seeing the signature, Ye Jingyan exclaimed in surprise, "This is... a genuine work by Grand Academician Chen Songshi?!"

Chen Songshi was a Grand Academician of the current cabinet, a man of great learning who was especially skilled in painting. His works were extremely difficult to obtain.

This painting was probably worth a fortune.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

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

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

An ordinary person might not even get a chance to see a genuine Chen Songshi, yet here they were holding one!

Perhaps only the Heir to the Marquis of Dingbei could present such a generous gift so casually.

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

Ye Jingyan was taken aback. "But Elder Sister—"

"This painting can't be resold anyway. It would just gather dust with me, so you might as well have it."

Ye Jingyan truly loved the painting and ultimately accepted it.

"Thank you, Elder Sister."

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

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

Ye Jingyan stretched his arms. "Seems so."

His clothes were getting a bit tight.

"I'll have some new clothes bought for you and A-Feng later." Ye Chutang glanced at the sky outside. Grey-blue clouds were gradually piling up, carrying a damp, oppressive feeling. "It might rain tonight. Go bring in the things from the courtyard."

(End of Chapter)

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