Concubine Jiang was the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official.
When Ye Jingchuan took her into his household, she didn’t bring much dowry with her.
Now that she had the chance to claim dowries from both of his previous wives, she was naturally eager.
The more dowry a daughter took to her husband’s family, the less she would be looked down upon.
Ye Jingchuan glanced at his illegitimate daughter, who had always been overlooked, and nodded.
"Although Jiang Huai is only an eighth-rank compiler, the Jiang family is a centuries-old aristocratic clan, and with a royal consort among them, his future prospects are limitless. It’s only right for Yin’er to bring a generous dowry."
With his legitimate eldest daughter about to be disgraced and his second legitimate daughter also losing her prospects, he needed to shift some attention to his illegitimate daughter.
Ye Siyin curtsied. "Thank you, Father."
Ye Jingchuan gave a noncommittal hum. "The dowry will be divided after breakfast tomorrow. Concubine Jiang and Concubine Liu, you may leave first."
Concubine Jiang and Ye Siyin rose and took their leave.
Concubine Liu had no children, so the dowry distribution didn’t concern her.
Ye Jingchuan felt that with only two sons and three daughters, his lineage was lacking.
He planned to quickly take a secondary wife and bring in a few more concubines to help the Ye family flourish!
His gaze fell on Kong Ru’s troubled expression, and his disgust was unmistakable.
"It’s time to arrange Zhi’er’s marriage. When you review the invitations from noble households, keep an eye out for suitable young ladies."
Kong Ru knew she had completely fallen out of favor. To survive in the Ye household, she needed to prove her worth.
"Rest assured, Master. This humble wife will keep it in mind."
But Ye Anzhi had no desire to be betrothed.
Once engaged, he would be bound by his fiancée’s rules, and many of his beloved maids would be sold off.
Besides, his heart was still fixated on his elder sister, leaving no room for anyone else.
"Father, I’m only fourteen. I don’t want to be engaged so soon."
The moment the words left his mouth, he was met with a resounding slap.
Smack!
Ye Jingchuan glared at his spoiled legitimate eldest son, his temples throbbing with fury.
"How did I end up with such a worthless son? No talent in literature or martial arts—all you know is chasing skirts!"
Kong Ru’s heart ached at the sight of the red mark on her son’s face.
"Master, Zhi’er is still young and ignorant. Why must you hit him?"
"Young? The Minister of Works’ second legitimate son passed the imperial exams at thirteen! The Minister of War’s illegitimate son joined the military at ten! And your precious son, at fourteen, does nothing but bury himself between women’s legs!"
The more Ye Jingchuan looked at his eldest, the more convinced he became that he would never be fit to lead the family. His only use was to sire more heirs!
With that thought, his eyes shifted to his pale-faced second son.
At least Jun’er had talent. Though perpetually ill, he could already compose poetry.
If not for Kong Ru’s foolishness harming him, he would have been even more exceptional.
Smack!
Unable to contain his anger, Ye Jingchuan struck Kong Ru as well.
"If anything happens to Jun’er, I’ll make you pay with your life!"
Jun’er couldn’t die. He had to live, grow into his potential, and one day inherit the family title.
Kong Ru knew she was at fault and didn’t dare argue.
"This humble wife knows her mistake. It won’t happen again."
Though her words were apologetic, resentment festered in her heart.
If Ye Jingchuan hadn’t denied her even the basic dignity of a matriarch—refusing to visit her chambers even on the first and fifteenth of the month—she would never have resorted to harming her own son to regain his favor!
She nudged her dazed eldest son. "Zhi’er, apologize to your father."
Thankfully, both of Ye’s sons were born from her womb. If she endured until they took charge of the household, she would become the most revered matriarch!
Ye Anzhi, intimidated by his father’s furious expression, hurriedly said, "This son admits his fault. I’ll follow Father’s arrangements."
"Get out of my sight and reflect on your mistakes!"
Ye Anzhi was all too eager to return to his courtyard and play with his newly acquired maids.
He vanished in an instant.
"Hopeless!"
After this remark, Ye Jingchuan noticed Ye Anjun swaying drowsily and ordered a maid to take him to rest.
Then, turning back to Kong Ru, he said, "Find Zhi’er a wife who’s skilled in martial arts and sharp-tongued."
If that brat still didn’t improve after marriage, his wife could beat him senseless!
Kong Ru had no desire for a daughter-in-law she couldn’t control, but she wasn’t foolish enough to openly defy Ye Jingchuan. She could always feign compliance.
"Yes, Master."
"Ling’er’s wedding must be grand. Not a single misstep is allowed."
At this, Kong Ru voiced her concerns.
"Master, time is too tight. The household servants aren’t enough—we’ll need to hire temporary help. But I worry about mistakes, so I’d like the guards to keep a closer watch."
Normally, this would be her decision alone, but with her authority stripped, she had to seek the master’s approval.
Ye Jingchuan knew Kong Ru was hinting at having her authority restored.
And truthfully, he had no patience for such trivial matters.
"Until Ling’er’s wedding concludes, you will resume your duties as matriarch."
"This humble wife will not disappoint you."
Once dismissed, she sent all the maids and servants away.
"Master, if the imperial physicians can’t cure the Heartbreak Powder… if they can’t save Jun’er, what then?"
Ye Jingchuan scoffed. "What else? We beg Chu’tang for the antidote."
"Chu’tang believes you killed her mother. She’ll never give us the antidote. If I die before Ling’er’s wedding, Ling’er, Zhi’er, and Jun’er will have to observe three years of mourning—even Yin’er’s marriage would be delayed a year."
Kong Ru knew full well that even if she knelt and kowtowed before Ye Chutang, she wouldn’t receive an ounce of mercy.
So she left the problem to Ye Jingchuan.
Ye Jingchuan saw right through her scheming, his expression turning colder.
If he could secure a noble title, he wouldn’t need to grovel before the Kong family. Whether Kong Ru lived or died mattered little to him.
Of course, if she had to die, it would be after all his daughters were married.
"We’ll discuss it after the imperial physician’s diagnosis."
Kong Ru realized Ye Jingchuan cared nothing for her survival. Her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
After acknowledging his words, she shifted the conversation to wedding preparations.
Half an hour later, Ye Anling arrived with the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Upon taking their pulses, Imperial Physician Wang immediately recognized that Ye Jingchuan and Kong Ru had been poisoned—but it was a condition he’d never encountered before.
"Lord Ye, how did you and Lady Ye come to ingest such a potent toxin?"
Ye Jingchuan lied smoothly. "An accident. Can you cure it, Imperial Physician Wang?"
The physician frowned. "In my thirty years of practice, I’ve never seen this poison. If I knew its name or had residue of the drug, I might attempt a remedy."
At this, Ye Jingchuan’s heart sank.
He quickly added, "It’s called Heartbreak Powder—perhaps related to heartbreak grass?"
Imperial Physician Wang shook his head. "Unlikely. The pulse readings differ. Heartbreak grass would cause death within minutes of ingestion."
"Imperial Physician Wang, the poison will take effect the day after tomorrow. Is there anything you can do? Even just suppressing the symptoms temporarily?"
Ye Jingchuan truly didn’t want to beg Ye Chutang again.
He feared she’d extort another fortune from him!
The physician sighed helplessly. "Lord Ye, it’s not that I refuse, but without knowing the poison’s composition—and with no visible symptoms yet—I can’t possibly prescribe anything based solely on pulse readings."
