Ye Chutang looked at the nervous and serious Jun'er, reaching out to pat his head.
"If it's something important, let's talk about it back at Ningchu Courtyard."
Jun'er nodded obediently.
The journey from Huating Academy to the Minister's Mansion was quite long, and with the bustling streets slowing them down, the carriage rocked gently for nearly half an hour before coming to a stop.
Ye Chutang carried Jun'er as they stepped out of the carriage.
The fiery sunset on the horizon promised a bright and sunny day tomorrow.
Steward Chen spotted the siblings returning and immediately approached.
"Young Mistress, Young Master, the master wishes to see you in his courtyard as soon as you return."
Ye Chutang was about to agree when Jun'er tugged at her sleeve.
Her words shifted mid-sentence.
"No rush. Jun'er and I will return to Ningchu Courtyard first to change his bandages."
Steward Chen glanced at the wound on Jun'er's neck.
Blood had seeped through the gauze, making the injury look severe.
Not daring to argue with Ye Chutang's decision, he replied, "Understood. This old servant will inform the master at once."
Ignoring Steward Chen, Ye Chutang took Jun'er back to Ningchu Courtyard.
The moment they entered, Dan'er and the two other maids rushed over, their faces filled with concern.
"Young Mistress, Young Master, are you both alright?"
Earlier, Steward Chen had delivered the siblings' wet clothes and the items Ye Chutang had bought for Jun'er to Ningchu Courtyard.
Though he hadn't said a word, Dan'er sensed something amiss and went to the front courtyard to investigate.
Upon learning of the siblings' dangerous encounter, the entire household had been restless with worry.
Ye Chutang smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. Jun'er suffered a minor injury, but it's nothing serious."
"Don’t worry. Go prepare dinner while I tend to Jun'er’s wound."
With that, she led Jun'er into her chamber and retrieved a wooden box.
For emergencies, she had repurposed the box into a first-aid kit.
Inside were numerous empty bottles and jars.
Whenever needed, she could grab one as a decoy and retrieve medicine from her hidden stash.
Ye Chutang carefully unwrapped Jun'er’s bandages, cleaning the slightly swollen wound with hydrogen peroxide.
She then administered a local anesthetic and stitched it up with fine sutures.
After applying ointment and fresh bandages, she gave him an anti-inflammatory pill.
"There. Now, what did you want to tell me, Jun'er?"
Jun'er watched as Ye Chutang tidied the medicine bottles, his gaze downcast.
"Elder Sister… I’m not a child of the Ye family."
The bottle in Ye Chutang’s hand slipped but was swiftly caught before it hit the ground.
Her voice trembled with disbelief. "What did you just say?"
Jun'er lifted his head, meeting her eyes earnestly as he repeated his words.
When she remained silent, he recounted how he had discovered the truth of his origins—and the years of torment Kong Ru had inflicted on him as a mere tool.
"Elder Sister, we share no blood ties. Will you still acknowledge me as your brother?"
Ye Chutang had never imagined Ye Anjun wasn’t the biological child of Kong Ru and Ye Jingchuan.
No wonder he had asked earlier whether she would still save him if he weren’t her brother.
Meeting his anxious gaze, her expression softened with warmth.
"As long as you don’t commit evil, you’ll always be my brother."
Relief washed over Jun'er, his tense shoulders relaxing.
A radiant smile broke across his pale face.
"Elder Sister, I’ll never willingly do wrong."
He couldn’t promise to never act unjustly—if anyone threatened Ye Chutang, he’d stop at nothing to protect her, even if it meant staining his hands.
Ye Chutang nodded approvingly.
"Well said. Passive suffering isn’t kindness—it’s foolishness."
Jun'er ducked his head bashfully at the praise.
"Elder Sister… Do you truly not mind that I’m not a Ye by blood?"
"It doesn’t matter. Ye Jingchuan is my biological father, yet he schemes against me without hesitation. Remember, Jun'er—blood ties mean little. What matters is whether someone’s heart stands with you."
"Jun'er will remember."
After storing the wooden box, Ye Chutang took Jun'er to Ye Jingchuan’s courtyard.
The minister’s gaze immediately landed on Jun'er’s injury.
Seeing the boy in good spirits, he exhaled in relief.
"Does it hurt badly, Jun'er?"
Jun'er shook his head slightly. "Father, it’s just a small wound. It doesn’t hurt."
"Good. Rest well for a few days. After Ling'er’s wedding, I’ll find you a new tutor."
"Father, there’s no need. Elder Sister took me to Huating Academy today. I’d like to study there."
Ye Jingchuan’s eyes widened as he turned to Ye Chutang.
"Is this true? He can attend Huating Academy?"
It wasn’t that he doubted his son, but the academy’s admission criteria were notoriously stringent.
Ye Chutang explained, "Even descendants of the Song Family aren’t exempt from entrance exams. Jun'er is no exception, but I secured three assessment opportunities for him."
Delighted, Ye Jingchuan’s laughter creased the corners of his eyes.
"Two extra chances are still an advantage! Jun'er is bright and kind—he’ll surely pass."
Turning to a servant, he ordered, "Take the young master to the garden. I need to speak with Chutang privately."
Once Jun'er left, Ye Jingchuan frowned at Ye Chutang.
"Why did you endanger Jun'er when you knew of the risks?"
As the Ye family’s heir, Jun'er couldn’t afford even a single mishap.
Ye Chutang arched a brow, amused.
"Had I sent Jun'er back and gone boating alone, our attackers would’ve sensed a trap and retreated."
"Isn’t that preferable?"
She sat across from him, her lips curling derisively.
"Preferable? Leaving those threats unresolved would mean constantly watching my back. Exhausting."
It’s easier to act as a thief for a day than guard against thieves every night.
"Besides, Father seems to forget—without me, Jun'er wouldn’t be alive now."
Her unspoken words hung heavy: Ye Jingchuan had no right to question her.
The minister fell silent, unable to refute her.
After all, Jun'er’s recovery still depended on Ye Chutang.
He warned, "Until you complete the Emperor’s task, avoid further recklessness."
Changing the subject, he asked, "How are things progressing with Prince Chen?"
"Well enough. We’re friends, at least."
"Speed it up. If you don’t become Prince Chen’s consort, I can’t protect you!"
Ye Chutang smirked. "How fast? Should I climb straight into his bed?"
Ye Jingchuan choked on his tea at her bluntness.
"If you can manage it, that’s not a bad strategy."
"What a stellar father!"
"…?"
Confused, he muttered, "Of course I’m alive."
Rolling her eyes, Ye Chutang probed, "Prince Chen mentioned that he and Young Master Qin provided the assassins’ portraits to the court and posted them publicly with a bounty. They’re determined to uncover their identities. How will Prince An and the Emperor respond?"
Ye Jingchuan’s gaze sharpened, piercing through her.
"Did you have a hand in those portraits?"
"Are you insane? Prince Chen and Qin Muyun aren’t blind—they saw the assassins’ faces. What’s so unusual about that?"
Weighing her dependence on the Emperor’s antidote, Ye Jingchuan dismissed his suspicion.
He conceded, "The imperial guards have already been recognized as the Emperor’s men. Prince An will bear full blame and face severe punishment."
Having obtained the answer she sought, Ye Chutang rose and returned to Ningchu Courtyard.
