Ye Jingchuan didn’t wait for Ye Chutang to respond before shouting, "Jinzhi, you wretched woman, come out!"
Slap!
The moment the words left his mouth, Ye Chutang struck him across the face.
Stunned, Ye Jingchuan glared at her and raised his hand to retaliate—only to receive another slap.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Ye Chutang stared coldly at Ye Jingchuan, her breathtakingly beautiful face filled with murderous intent.
"What right do you have to insult Aunt Jin? To seize my mother’s dowry, you sent me to the countryside and forced Aunt Jin to bear your child. You’re worse than an animal!"
Ye Jingchuan, his cheeks swollen and red from the slaps, couldn’t utter a single word in response.
Ye Chutang continued, her voice icy, "Though Aunt Jin was my mother’s maid, she was never sold into servitude. She isn’t part of the Ye family. What you did to her was nothing short of violating an innocent woman!"
Ye Jingchuan knew the severity of such an accusation and naturally refused to admit it.
"Chu’er, these are just Jinzhi’s lies! I never laid a hand on her!"
"Then swear it. If you’re lying, may the Ye family be cut off without heirs!"
Of course, Ye Jingchuan didn’t dare. Frustrated, he snapped, "So what if I forced Jinzhi? Do you have proof to report me? Or do you not care if she becomes the laughingstock of the town?"
Ye Chutang, infuriated by his shamelessness, grabbed him by the throat.
Gasping for air, Ye Jingchuan roared in fear and anger, "Do you dare kill your own father?"
Hearing this from the eastern side room, Jinzhi immediately rushed out.
"Young Mistress, let him go! It’s not worth ruining your reputation over such a man."
Even if Ye Chutang was in the right, society would condemn her for defying filial piety.
Ye Chutang had no intention of killing Ye Jingchuan, but she wouldn’t let him off easily either.
"Aunt Jin, I know my limits. Just stand aside for a moment."
Jinzhi nodded and stepped behind Ye Chutang.
Ye Chutang looked down at Ye Jingchuan, his face red and eyes bulging, her voice cold and merciless.
"I have countless ways to make you confess, but I won’t sacrifice Aunt Jin’s dignity to throw you in prison."
Hearing this, Ye Jingchuan felt a sliver of relief.
Gritting his teeth, he forced out, "What do you want?"
"Kneel. Apologize to Aunt Jin."
Jinzhi stared at Ye Chutang in shock, her heart swelling with emotion.
Her young mistress wasn’t just avenging her mother and brother—she was also demanding justice for Jinzhi herself!
Ye Jingchuan closed his eyes, refusing to comply.
Ye Chutang leaned in and whispered in his ear, "If you don’t kneel now, I’ll make you do it in public. Don’t test whether I can."
"Chu’er, don’t forget—your life is still in the Emperor’s hands!"
Ye Chutang chuckled, tightening her grip on his throat as she lifted him slightly.
"As long as it’s not in yours."
With that, she released him and kicked his knee.
Ye Jingchuan fell to the ground with a thud, one knee hitting the floor.
"Shall I kick the other leg, or will you kneel properly yourself?"
Clenching his teeth, Ye Jingchuan knew resistance was futile. He reluctantly knelt.
Since he was already on his knees, he might as well apologize.
Otherwise, this ungrateful daughter would truly humiliate him in public.
"Jinzhi, I was blinded by greed, coveting Wanning’s dowry. What I did to you was unforgivable. Please… forgive me."
Jinzhi stared at the kneeling Ye Jingchuan, torn between anger and satisfaction.
Never had she imagined the lofty Minister Ye would one day beg for her forgiveness on his knees.
"Ye Jingchuan, I will never forgive you!"
This man had indirectly caused the deaths of her mistress and young master. He didn’t deserve mercy.
Ye Jingchuan didn’t care about Jinzhi’s feelings. He turned to Ye Chutang, his expression stiff.
"I’ve apologized."
"An apology isn’t enough for the life you ruined. Compensation—100,000 taels. No bargaining."
Ye Jingchuan shot to his feet. "Where would I get that kind of money?!"
"Pawn the gifts you received today. That should cover it. Or sell everything you own—steal, rob, I don’t care. But if Aunt Jin doesn’t have the silver in three days, I’ll use the Emperor’s hand to turn the Minister’s Mansion upside down."
If he could play the tyrant, so could she.
Ye Jingchuan suddenly remembered why he’d come to Ningchu Courtyard in the first place.
Grudgingly, he muttered, "Fine."
Then he waved Jinzhi away. "Leave. I need to speak with Chu’er."
Jinzhi glanced at Ye Chutang, who nodded, before retreating to the side room.
Ye Jingchuan sat on a stone stool, rubbing his knee, then eyed Ye Chutang’s abdomen.
"I heard you vomited twice today?"
Ye Chutang answered calmly, "Yes. Something didn’t agree with me."
Ye Jingchuan narrowed his eyes. "I’ll send a physician tomorrow."
If she wasn’t pregnant, good.
If she was—she’d be drinking an abortifacient.
Ye Chutang remained unfazed.
With her medical skills, altering her pulse temporarily was child’s play.
"Very well."
But she knew she couldn’t stay in the capital. If her pregnancy was discovered…
She didn’t fear the scandal of bearing a child out of wedlock, but she refused to let her unborn baby be called a bastard.
Seeing her composure, Ye Jingchuan relaxed slightly.
"How are things with Prince Chen?"
"Tell the Emperor not to worry. If Prince Chen marries, it will be me."
Assured, Ye Jingchuan decided tonight’s humiliation was worth it.
Before leaving, he said, "Chu’er, avenging your mother and brother is understandable. But you should’ve settled the dowry matter privately. Humiliating Eunuch De in public will only bring you trouble once you enter the palace!"
Ye Chutang smirked at his feigned concern.
"Whether I suffer or not remains to be seen. But Ye Anling will suffer, and so will you in court."
If he dared steal the dowry, he’d bear the consequences.
Ye Jingchuan felt like he was talking to a brick wall.
Furious, he stood. "If Prince Chen hasn’t proposed in three days, you’ll die with your meridians severed!"
Ye Chutang, who’d never been poisoned, ignored his threat.
Yawning, she called toward the side room, "Dan’er, draw me a bath."
The door opened, and Jinzhi stepped out.
"Young Mistress, let me attend to you. We can talk."
Dan’er quickly interjected, "Aunt Jin, I’ll prepare the water first. You can help dry Young Mistress’s hair later."
Knowing Ye Chutang treated Jinzhi as family, Dan’er regarded her with respect.
Before Jinzhi could refuse, Dan’er hurried to the kitchen for hot water.
Soon, the bath was ready.
Ye Chutang undressed and stepped into the tub scattered with flower petals.
Behind the screen, Jinzhi asked softly, "Young Mistress… are you poisoned?"
"No. The Emperor and Ye Jingchuan just think I am."
Relieved, Jinzhi pressed, "And your engagement to Prince Chen…?"
"A delaying tactic. We won’t marry."
The answer surprised Jinzhi.
Though she considered Prince Chen a fine match, she said nothing more.
Instead, she asked one final question.
"Young miss, are you sure it's just an upset stomach from something you ate?"
