As expected.
Upon hearing Kong Ru’s words, Ye Jingchuan lost his temper.
"Nonsense! The ginseng is life-saving medicine for Jun'er. It cannot be touched!"
After his outburst, he cast a cold glance at Ye Chutang.
"Jun'er is young and frail. Let’s skip the greeting gifts and the recognition fees."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Anjun whispered, "Father, I’m also part of the Ye family. I shouldn’t be an exception."
Ye Chutang glanced at Ye Anjun, who sat weakly yet innocently in his chair.
"Given your condition, you don’t need to give anything."
Her targets were those in the Ye family who had ill intentions toward the original owner, not the innocent.
Ye Anjun insisted, "Eldest Sister, I must!"
Meeting his clear, earnest gaze, Ye Chutang said nothing more.
She continued collecting greeting gifts from the two concubines and the illegitimate daughter, Ye Siyin.
Once done, she turned to Ye Siyin.
"I heard you’re getting married by the end of the year?"
Ye Siyin nodded obediently. "Yes, Eldest Sister."
"Madam Ye said her dowry would be divided equally among all the children, regardless of status. Make sure you claim your share."
What Ye Chutang didn’t say was that if Ye Siyin stepped out of line, she wouldn’t get a single coin!
Concubine Liu and Ye Siyin were both stunned.
They exchanged incredulous glances before bowing to Kong Ru.
"Thank you, Madam."
Kong Ru hadn’t expected Ye Chutang to announce this in front of everyone.
Even if she was unwilling, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"It’s only right for family."
Concubine Liu and Ye Siyin knew these weren’t Kong Ru’s true feelings. They glanced subtly at Ye Chutang.
She had just returned and already had the main branch under her thumb—impressive!
Ignoring their scrutiny, Ye Chutang received thirteen thousand taels in recognition fees and a century-old ginseng.
"Grandmother, Jun'er, Zhi'er."
With that, she instructed Dan'er and Shuang'er to take the gifts back to Ningchu Courtyard.
Though Ye Anling didn’t care for Ye Chutang’s acknowledgment, she was displeased.
She had spent so much money, lost face, and even gotten hurt, yet she hadn’t been recognized.
Just as she was about to speak up, Ye Jingchuan announced it was time for dinner.
The dishes suited Ye Chutang’s taste perfectly.
She ate without restraint, indulging in whatever she pleased, her manners wild and unrestrained.
The entire table watched in astonishment.
Kong Ru, observing Ye Chutang’s complete lack of concern about the food being tampered with, deeply regretted not poisoning her meal directly.
Had Ye Chutang known her thoughts, she would have said:
"You should be grateful you didn’t. The one collapsing would’ve been you!"
Ye Jingchuan, watching Ye Chutang’s unrefined behavior, cautioned, "Chu'er, eating too quickly will upset your stomach."
Ye Chutang tossed the gnawed chicken bone onto the table and deliberately licked her greasy fingers.
"After living for over a decade, this is the first time I’ve had such fine food. I couldn’t help myself."
With that, she continued devouring her meal as if no one else were present.
Ye Jingchuan rubbed his temples. "Starting tomorrow, you’ll learn proper etiquette."
"Five thousand taels."
"...Are you obsessed with money?"
Ye Chutang didn’t even lift her eyelids. "No pressure. It’s up to you, Father."
Ye Jingchuan figured that, barring any mishaps, he’d have Ye Chutang under control by nightfall.
He relented irritably, "Fine, fine!"
Ye Anling: "..."
She had never realized five thousand taels could be earned so easily!
After dinner, Ye Chutang stood and addressed Kong Ru.
"I expect to see Madam Ye’s dowry list and my share delivered to Ningchu Courtyard within half an hour."
With that, she strode off.
Old Madam Ye flung her chopsticks down in fury.
"The elders haven’t even left the table, yet she dares to depart first! Has she no manners at all?"
Ye Jingchuan signaled a maid to serve Old Madam Ye tea to calm her temper.
"Mother, bear with it a little longer. It won’t last."
Then he turned to Kong Ru. "Prepare the dowry and send it to Ningchu Courtyard."
Half an hour later.
The sky was draped in a heavy black veil, with stars faintly twinkling above.
Lanterns in the Minister’s Mansion glowed dimly, casting a warm yellow light.
Kong Ru ordered servants to carry eight dowry chests to Ningchu Courtyard.
Having bathed and changed, Ye Chutang sat in the courtyard, draped in an outer robe, sipping chilled grape juice infused with spiritual spring water.
Shuang'er helped dry her damp hair.
As the chests were brought in, Ye Chutang counted—only eight.
Meeting Ye Chutang’s questioning gaze, Kong Ru handed her an aged dowry list.
"When I married, I had sixty-four chests. The crossed-out items were used for household expenses. The remainder has been split into four equal portions."
In truth, none of her dowry was missing.
She had deliberately marked off the valuable pieces to shortchange Ye Chutang.
Even if she could reclaim it soon, she refused to part with more.
As the list was extended toward her, Ye Chutang caught a faint, unusual scent.
A mix of muscle relaxant and sedative.
Her lips curled slightly as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Seizing the moment, she discreetly applied poison from her spatial storage to her fingertips.
Poisoning was her specialty.
When she took the list, she deliberately brushed Kong Ru’s thumb.
Kong Ru paid no mind, her focus on the dowry list.
Seeing Ye Chutang touch the poisoned spot, she inwardly rejoiced.
Soon, this wretch would be paralyzed and helpless.
Did this brat really think she’d kneel and apologize at Tang Wanning’s grave? Not a chance!
Ye Chutang noted Kong Ru’s poorly concealed delight.
After scanning the list, she handed it to Dan'er.
"Make a copy of Madam Ye’s dowry list later."
Kong Ru’s alarm bells rang. "Chu'er, why copy it?"
"No reason. I’m just thorough in my work."
Realizing any resistance was futile, Kong Ru relented.
"As you wish."
Ye Chutang instructed Dan'er, "Inventory the dowry first. If everything checks out, store it."
Ningchu Courtyard had no storeroom.
She’d earlier tasked Wangcai to clear out the woodshed as a temporary solution.
Dan'er worked efficiently, completing the inventory in about the time it took to burn an incense stick.
"Miss, the dowry matches the list."
Ye Chutang nodded at Kong Ru.
"Madam Ye may leave now. Once the list is copied, I’ll have Shuang'er return it."
"No rush. Tomorrow is fine."
Kong Ru shot Shuang'er a meaningful glance before departing.
Dan'er summoned servants to move the chests into the woodshed.
Once they left, Shuang'er ventured, "Miss, being too rigid invites trouble. You should—"
Ye Chutang turned, her dark eyes icy.
"Should what?"
Shuang'er shivered under her gaze.
She quickly backtracked, "Nothing. Do as you please, Miss."
Whatever the miss did, she was a grasshopper in autumn—her days were numbered!
Ye Chutang called Dan'er to dry her hair and addressed Shuang'er.
"Shuang'er, remember—I want obedient, loyal maids, not opinionated chatterboxes."
Her tone was frigid, laced with intimidation.
Shuang'er dropped to her knees. "This maid apologizes."
"Don’t let it happen again, or you’ll be the next one sold to the lowest brothel."
"This maid obeys."
"Rise."
Soon, Dan'er finished drying Ye Chutang’s hair.
"Miss, who shall attend you tonight?"
Upon hearing these words, Ye Chutang immediately understood that Dan’er had something to say to her.
"Then it’ll be you."
With that, she returned to her bedchamber.
Shuang'er recalled the glance Kong Ru had given her before leaving and sensed that something might happen to Ye Chutang tonight.
She said to Dan'er, "You’re on night duty tonight—go freshen up first."
After washing up, Dan'er headed straight to Ye Chutang’s quarters.
Ye Chutang reclined gracefully on the chaise lounge, her dark tresses partially veiling her face as she admired the gifts she had received during dinner.
The sight of the beauty resting on the couch was utterly mesmerizing.
Dan'er’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly composed herself and approached.
"Miss, where would you like these valuable items stored?"
Ye Chutang didn’t answer. Instead, listening to the approaching footsteps, she suddenly pushed open the window to her left.
