Ye Chutang was born into a centuries-old martial arts family and had seen her fair share of treasures.
Yet, when she laid eyes on the dowry in the chests, she was still stunned.
One hundred and twenty-eight dowry chests, each four times the size of ordinary ones, filled with an astonishing quantity of valuables.
Any single item taken out at random was worth over a thousand taels of silver.
Those exceptionally rare treasures could fetch tens of thousands.
Ye Jingchuan spent over an hour dividing them.
Kong Ru’s three children took half the dowry, with Ye Anling claiming thirty-two chests.
Ye Siyin received twenty-four, leaving the remaining forty for Ye Chutang.
Ye Jingchuan glanced at Ye Chutang, who had remained silent throughout, and felt a twinge of unease.
"Chu’er, if there’s anything in Anling’s or Siyin’s dowries that you fancy, you may exchange for it."
Concubine Jiang chimed in with a smile, "Eldest Miss, this dowry was left by Madam Tang—it should primarily be yours."
"Primarily mine? Then since I don’t wish to divide it, will you return it all to me?"
Concubine Jiang’s smile stiffened, her tone strained. "This humble one dare not go against Madam Tang’s dying wish."
"A dying wish you claim? I never heard of it."
Seeing Ye Chutang’s resistance, Kong Ru hastily interjected,
"Chu’er, when your mother was gravely ill, many maids attended to her. They can all bear witness."
Ye Chutang scoffed. "Their contracts are in your hands. You can make them say whatever you please."
Ye Jingchuan, unwilling to let the carefully divided dowry stir up more trouble, cut in decisively.
"The division is settled. It stays as it is."
Then, turning to Ye Chutang, he added, "When you marry, I’ll add more to your dowry."
Ignoring his empty promise, Ye Chutang patted one of the massive chests.
"I heard my mother’s dowry emptied half the Tang family’s vaults, every chest packed to the brim. So why are some only two-thirds full?"
Naturally, Ye Jingchuan had secretly pocketed the missing items.
Without a hint of guilt, he replied, "Rumors are unreliable. Besides, your mother sold much of her dowry to secure the Ye family’s standing in the capital and smooth my career path."
Ye Chutang didn’t believe a word, but she pressed no further.
She had her own ways to reclaim everything.
"Understood. Will these dowries remain in the ancestral hall, or shall we take them to our own courtyards?"
Just as Ye Jingchuan was about to suggest collective storage in the hall, Concubine Jiang spoke up.
"Master, the Second Miss will marry soon, and Siyin’s turn isn’t far. Why not send their shares to their courtyards and post guards?"
She’d rest easier with the treasures under her watch.
Ye Anling agreed.
"Father, these chests are too large and worn. I’d like to replace them with smaller, newer ones. Then, with additions from you and Mother, we can make up the full one hundred twenty-eight. It’ll honor the Minister’s Mansion and please Eunuch De."
Ye Jingchuan found the idea excellent. "Very well, it’s decided."
The happiest at this was Ye Siyin.
She curtsied gracefully. "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Eldest Sister."
Ye Jingchuan helped her up with a hand.
"We’re family. No need for such formality."
Ye Anling’s gaze lingered on his supportive hand beneath Ye Siyin’s elbow, her eyes chilling.
Who knew this overlooked half-sister would one day earn his favor?
"Father, it’s late. Let the guards move the dowries now."
Ye Chutang spoke up first, "Before you take the dowry, you must first make an inventory and sign it with your fingerprints. I need to burn it for my mother so she knows you've fulfilled her dying wish."
"So, you'd better not lie to me, or my mother won’t let you off."
At these words, everyone’s expressions shifted uncomfortably.
Ye Jingchuan forced a stiff smile.
"Chu’er, how could I ever deceive you? I just think it’s unnecessary to go through so much trouble. We can simply mention it when we pay respects to your mother."
"The inventory must be made, and signatures must be given—otherwise, not a single item from the dowry will leave this place!"
With that, Ye Chutang slammed her palm onto the dowry chest.
In an instant, the chest sank deep into the ground.
Not only were Ye Jingchuan and the others stunned, even the trained guards broke out in a cold sweat.
If that kind of force had struck a person, it would have been fatal!
Kong Ru’s legs nearly gave way in fright, and she quickly said, "Chu’er’s idea is excellent. Let’s do as she says."
Ye Jingchuan nodded frantically. "The inventory must be written, and the signatures must be given!"
Satisfied, Ye Chutang nodded. "Father, without my mother, you wouldn’t be where you are today. You should be the one to write it."
"Fine, I’ll write it."
Ye Jingchuan ordered the guards to bring a table, chairs, and writing supplies.
He wrote the list, Concubine Jiang ground the ink, and Kong Ru recited the dowry items—their coordination was seamless.
By now, it was nearly noon, and the sun blazed mercilessly.
Ye Anling and Ye Siyu immediately had the guards fetch parasols to shield them from the heat.
Ye Chutang, claiming she wanted to spar for practice, handed the task of holding the parasols to her two scheming sisters.
The guards, terrified of being crushed to dust by Ye Chutang’s palm, scrambled to flatter her.
"Young Miss’s martial prowess is unmatched. We are no match for you and humbly admit defeat."
"Our skills are laughable compared to yours, Young Miss. We’re unworthy of sparring with you."
"Young Miss—"
Ye Chutang cut them off. "Don’t be afraid. We’ll only practice techniques—no internal energy. The damage won’t be severe."
She had only just begun cultivating internal energy and couldn’t achieve much in a short time.
Earlier, when she sank the dowry chest into the ground, it wasn’t martial arts but her earth-manipulating ability.
Unaware of the truth, the guards were petrified.
But they didn’t dare disobey Ye Chutang’s orders, so they steeled themselves and stepped forward.
Though they wouldn’t dare harm her, she showed no such restraint.
In less than fifteen minutes, Ye Chutang had beaten all twenty guards until they were groveling on the ground.
Her ferocity frightened Ye Anling and Ye Siyin so much that they didn’t dare even glance around, doing their best to stay unnoticed.
Wiping sweat from her brow, Ye Chutang nudged the nearest guard with her foot.
"Go ask Steward Chen for some fruit, pastries, and tea. I’m tired, hungry, and thirsty."
"Yes, Young Miss."
The guard struggled to his feet and limped away.
Soon after, maids arrived with refreshments.
Ye Chutang ate and drank leisurely while watching the other five suffer under the scorching sun.
At high noon, Ye Jingchuan finally finished the dowry inventory.
Rubbing his sore wrist, he said, "Ling’er, Yin’er, sign and fingerprint the portions of the dowry allocated to you."
Kong Ru signed on behalf of Ye Anzhi and Ye Anjun.
Once the three had signed, Ye Jingchuan handed the list to Ye Chutang.
"Chu’er, are you satisfied now?"
Ye Chutang took the list, verified it carefully, then nodded in approval.
"Young Miss Ye the Second and Young Miss Ye the Third, you may now take the dowry shares assigned to you."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Ye Jingchuan instructed the guards to keep watch over the dowry before hurrying after her.
"Chu'er, the dowry has been divided. Will you go see your Grandmother now?"
Ye Chutang didn't pause her steps. "No. Troublesome people live forever—she won't die so easily."
With that, she left the Minister's Mansion and headed to the Pavilion of Verses, a favorite haunt of scholars and poets.
